Judy Camuso became Commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife (MDIFW) in February, 2019, and became the first department employee to be named commissioner in over 30 years, as well as the first female commissioner of the department.Judy was promoted from her position as the MDIFW director of the wildlife division, a position she held since 2013. She began her career in 2007 as an assistant regional wildlife biologist in southern Maine, and was promoted to the special projects coordinator before being selected as director.
She has over 20 years’ experience with MDIFW and Maine Audubon, and lead several statewide natural resource initiatives as wildlife director for MDIFW including directing the defeat of a statewide ban on bear hunting methods and directing a statewide department communications campaign that has gained national attention.
In 2018, Camuso was selected as one of 50 Mainers leading Maine to new heights by Maine Magazine, and in 2015, she received MDIFW’s Employee of the Year, Governor’s Award.
As Commissioner, she oversees over 300 employees whose job is to preserve, protect, and enhance the inland fisheries and wildlife resources of the State. The department is also responsible for promoting the safe enjoyment of Maine’s outdoors — from whitewater rafting to boating, snowmobiling, hunting, fishing, and wildlife observation.
The agency’s constituents include the fish, wildlife, and people who call Maine home, as well as the visitors who call Maine Vacationland.