Aurelia Skipwith was confirmed to lead the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) by the Senate on Dec. 12, making her the first African American to serve in the role.
Skipwith had previously served as the Interior Department’s deputy assistant secretary for fish, wildlife and parks.
“I am grateful for the confidence that the Senate has placed in me, and I look forward to helping the secretary advance this administration’s priorities for the department, for the Service and for American conservation,” Skipwith said in a released statement.
The confirmation wasn’t met without criticism, though.
A letter sent to senators by a handful of conservation groups said Skipwith “undermined scientific integrity” and “circumvented the Endangered Species Act at the behest of the coal industry, putting numerous species at risk of extinction” and was unfit for the role.
Skipwith will preside over 8,5000 personnel as head of the agency.
