Jim Dexter

Throughout his 36-year career, Jim Dexter has held the positions of biologist, manager, staff specialist, Lake Michigan basin coordinator, acting Fisheries Division assistant chief and Fisheries Division chief for the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. As he moved through the ranks, each position was a different world. With each position he needed to think more broadly, and his perception and appreciation grew with each position. There have been numerous milestones and achievements over Dexter’s career. Most notably, during his time as the Lake Michigan basin coordinator, Dexter was instrumental in developing and implementing the lake trout management plan for Lake Michigan. This was no small effort, as the plan took seven years to develop across multiple fish and wildlife agencies, including Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois and the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Another achievement during his time as chief was obtaining two new Great Lakes research vessels and, most recently, a $30 million investment by the Michigan Legislature and executive administration in infrastructure improvements at state fish hatcheries.