Sam D. Hamilton (July 5, 1955 – February 20, 2010) was the 15th director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from September 1, 2009, until February 20, 2010.[1]
Sam Hamilton | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 15th Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service | |
| In office September 1, 2009 – February 20, 2010 | |
| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | H. Dale Hall |
| Succeeded by | Daniel Ashe |
| Personal details | |
| Born | July 5, 1955 Lawrenceville, Georgia |
| Died | February 20, 2010 (aged 54) Keystone, Colorado |
| Alma mater | Mississippi State University |
Hamilton, a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in 1977.[1]
Prior to his appointment as Director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, Hamilton served as the agency's southeast regional director, based in Atlanta, Georgia.[1] Hamilton was credited with leading the restoration efforts in the Florida Everglades.[1] He also oversaw coastal fort restoration efforts along the Gulf of Mexico following Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita, both of which damaged wildlife refuges, wetlands and other habitats.[1]
He was appointed the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 2009 and was sworn in on September 15, 2009.[1] As director, Hamilton oversaw 8,700 employees who are responsible for nearly 150,000,000 acres (610,000 km2), including approximately 550 national wildlife refuges nationwide.[1]
Sam Hamilton suffered a heart attack while skiing at the Keystone Resort in Keystone, Colorado.[1] He died on February 20, 2010, at the age of 54. He was survived by his wife, Becky; sons, Sam Jr. and Clay; and a grandson, Davis.[1]
In February 2012, the Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, was renamed to Sam D. Hamilton Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge in honor of Hamilton.[2]