News  Deborah Rocque and John Hitt Appointed to Fisheries and Wildlife Board

The Healey-Driscoll Administration announced today the appointments of Deborah Rocque of Worthington and John Hitt of Scituate to the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board. Rocque and Hitt bring extensive experience in wildlife conservation, public service, outdoor recreation, and natural resource stewardship to the seven-member Board, which provides supervision and oversight to the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife). Rocque will represent the Western Wildlife District and Hitt will represent the Southeast Wildlife District.  

“I look forward to working with Deborah Rocque and John Hitt as they begin their service on the Fisheries and Wildlife Board,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Their leadership and expertise will help advance our efforts to conserve biodiversity across Massachusetts and protect the habitats that are essential to healthy fish and wildlife populations. We are grateful to former members, Stephen Sears and Ernie Foster, who leave long-lasting impacts.”  

“I look forward to working with Deborah and John to advance our shared goals for wildlife conservation in the years ahead,” said MassWildlife Acting Director Eve Schlüter. “We are also grateful to our outgoing Board members for their dedicated service and the important contributions they have made to fish and wildlife conservation in Massachusetts.” 

Dr. Rocque brings nearly 25 years of public service with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, where she served in senior leadership roles focused on science, conservation planning, and partnership-based approaches to wildlife and habitat management. Most recently, Rocque retired as Assistant Director of the agency’s science applications program, where she worked with state wildlife agencies to advance landscape-scale conservation and address climate change impacts on wildlife and habitat. She also brings local leadership experience as a select board member in Worthington and firsthand knowledge of land stewardship as a private landowner and farmer in western Massachusetts. 

“I am honored to join the Board at such a critical moment for conservation and to represent western Massachusetts,” said Deborah Rocque. “Our Worthington farm gives me a deep appreciation for the working landscapes, cold-water fisheries, and forests that define our region — and for the people who rely on them. I see firsthand how climate change is reshaping our natural resources, and I am excited to be part of restoring our biodiversity and investing in nature to sustain our health, food security, economy, and way of life.”  

Hitt brings decades of legal, governance, and nonprofit leadership experience, along with a lifelong connection to hunting, fishing, and conservation in the Commonwealth. Before retiring in 2025, Hitt served on the senior leadership team at the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center, where he was responsible for legal support to the board of directors. Earlier in his career, Hitt held senior legal leadership roles at Fidelity Investments. He has also been active in land conservation and outdoor organizations across southeastern Massachusetts including Maxwell Conservation Trust, North and South Rivers Watershed Association, The Trustees, Trout Unlimited, and Scituate Rod and Gun Club.   

“As a lifelong hunter, fisherman, forager and conservationist, I was fortunate to be introduced to these lifelong pursuits by my father,” said John Hitt. “I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work with a world-class organization to preserve and expand wildlife habitat, increase engagement in hunting, fishing and the enjoyment of wildlife, deepen stakeholder engagement, recruit new participants and expand access for underrepresented populations.” 

“We are so fortunate to welcome Deborah Rocque and John Hitt to the Fisheries and Wildlife Board,” said Emma Ellsworth, Chair of the Massachusetts Fisheries and Wildlife Board. “Their experience, perspective, and commitment to public service will be great assets to the Board as we continue to support MassWildlife’s conservation mission.” 

The Fisheries and Wildlife Board plays an important role in the conservation, protection, and management of Massachusetts fish and wildlife resources. Through its oversight of MassWildlife, the Board helps guide policy, regulations, and long-term stewardship efforts that support healthy habitats, sustainable wildlife populations, and high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities across Massachusetts.