Photo courtesy of WRC Gordon Myers was named executive director of the WRC during an Aug. 27 meeting in Raleigh.

RALEIGH — The N.C. Wildlife Resources named Gordon Myers, its director of field operations, as new executive director Aug. 27, 13 months after the forced resignation of Richard Hamilton.

Myers, 42, of Raleigh, recently has directed the agency’s program to obtain land for much-needed boat ramps and parking areas at N.C. DOT properties, particularly land underneath bridges where the state has rights-of-way.

Myers will take over the reins from interim director Fred Harris, a 37-year veteran WRC employee who rose from the ranks of fisheries biologist to head of the Fisheries Division to assistant director to interim director. Harris was one of three finalists for the position.

Harris took the position as interim director a few months after Hamilton was forced to resign by the current Commission leadership because he would not dismiss his legislative liason and legal assistant, Joan Troy.

“(The selection committee) met Aug. 18 in Goldsboro (to narrow the field), then met yesterday go narrow down to the final three,” said Wes Seegars, chairman of the 19-member appointed governing board of the agency. “Those candidates were Fred (Harris), Dr. Doug Alston of Pennsylvania, and David (Cobb) ... I mean Gordon (Myers).”

Cobb, who didn't apply for the position, was attending an International Waterfowl meeting in Minnesota.

“Today is the last day we will operate as we always have,” Seegars said. “Beginning tomorrow, with the transition of leadership, we will become a new, more dynamic agency that will continue to nurture and value the relationships we have with our conservation partners, and begin to develop new programs that will promote and embrace our mission.”

It took the WRC 13 months to find the most-qualified person.

“It’s been an interesting period,” Harris said in typical understatement of his tenure, which included his e-mailed resignation a few months ago, then a rescending of that resignation. “There’s mixed feelings, but it’s probably time for me to go. It’s probably time for some new thinking and new energy at the leadership level.”

Myers, of Raleigh, said he expects to take charge of the WRC August 28. He is a 1990 graduate of N.C. State University (civil engineering) and married with two children.

Harris will continue his post of Chief Deputy Director until Oct. 1.