Tribal program has new director

Randall Friedlander, a tribal member, was recently hired as the Colville Tribes’ Fish and Wildlife (CTFW) director.

Friedlander will provide strategic planning and management oversight of 130 employees with an operating budget of over $20 million, a department press release said.

Friedlander served as the interim Fish and Wildlife director for approximately a year. Prior to that, he worked for the department as the wildlife program manager for three years where he provided oversight and direction to about 20 staff members.

“I look forward to maintaining and protecting our Fish and Wildlife resources and habitats, while meeting the cultural, subsistence, recreational and economic needs of the Tribe,” Friedlander said. Friedlander will work closely with Fish and Wildlife managers, policy analysts, and scientists on complex projects in various locations throughout the reservation. He will also serve as a key liaison with outside agencies, interacting with state, federal and tribal entities, as well as with other organizations.

Friedlander has worked for the Colville Tribe since 1995. He earned a bachelor of science degree in natural resource management from Washington State University (WSU) and studied forest management for two years at Humboldt State University prior to transferring to WSU.

He enjoys golfing, basketball, hunting, fishing, snowboarding and participating in cultural activities. He and his wife Julie have three children — Kylie, Mikel and Will.