The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) announced Tuesday that Chip Saltsman has been named to the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. Saltsman’s appointment as a statewide commissioner was effective immediately and was made by Tennessee Speaker of the House Cameron Sexton, according to the press release.

Saltsman replaces Commissioner Jim Ripley on the governing body of the agency. Ripley, who served as chairman in 2021-2022, resigned his commission position to become chancellor (judge) of the chancery court of the 4th and 5th judicial districts in East Tennessee, according to TWRA. Ripley’s appointment to the commission was set to expire in February 2023.

According to TWRA, Saltsman has worked primarily in his home state. He worked as a consultant on several national and state campaigns. He also served as senior political advisor to former Senior Senate Majority Advisor Bill Frist at VOLPAC, a political action committee chaired by the senator. He began his career on former Tennessee Governor Don Sunquist’s staff and later served as chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party for a time.

The press release by TWRA notes that Saltsman resides in his hometown of Nashville. He attended Christian Brothers University in Memphis, where he earned his bachelor’s and master’s in business administration degrees. He enjoys hunting and fishing.

“Growing up hunting and fishing in the southeast, I never imagined having the opportunity to serve on the commission,” Saltsman said in a statement. “I am looking forward to working with the great team at the TWRA to improve and continue the great hunting and fishing tradition for Tennessee.”

The Tennessee Star previously reported the TWRA had another recent hiring shakeup at the agency, with Jason Maxedon being named executive director.

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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Photo “Chip Saltsman” by Chip Saltsman.