Past Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

In April 2017, Ms. Skipwith was appointed by President Trump to the position of Deputy Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks, Department of the Interior. Ms. Skipwith was responsible and had oversight for policy, planning, and regulatory actions for the National Park Service (NPS) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS).


On January 6, 2020, Ms. Aurelia Skipwith was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence as the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS). She served as the 22nd Director for the Service and was the first African American to hold the position. Ms. Skipwith was first nominated by President Trump in October 2018 for the position and then she was re-nominated in the 116th Congress on July 17, 2019. She was confirmed by the full Senate on December 12, 2019.


As the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Ms. Skipwith was responsible for the federal management of fish, wildlife and natural habitats. The Service’s mission is "working with others to conserve, protect, and enhance fish, wildlife, plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people." The Service employs over 8,500 employees and manages over 855 million acres of land and water. In her role as Director, she served on multiple Councils and Committees, including serving as the Vice-Chairman of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Border Interagency Executive Council and was also a member of the U.S. Trade Representative’s Interagency Committee on Trade in Timber Products from Peru. On January 19, 2021, Ms. Skipwith resigned from her position as Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.


Ms. Skipwith is an avid marathon runner and a true believer in getting involved. Her family hails from Columbus, Mississippi.