News  MassWildlife Director Mark Tisa Retires

On January 9, 2026, the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife (MassWildlife) announced the retirement of Director Mark Tisa after 38 years of dedicated public service, including 7 years as Director. Deputy Director Dr. Everose (Eve) Schlüter will serve as Acting Director while a national search for the next permanent Director begins.

“It has been an honor and privilege to lead the agency and its programs that help protect, manage, and conserve the Commonwealth’s wildlife resources and biodiversity, in trust, for all the public and future generations to enjoy,” said Mark S. Tisa. “I want to thank Commissioner O’Shea, Secretary Tepper, and Governor Healey for their support of our mission and the impact of our work at the Department and MassWildlife, including investing in Massachusetts’ nation-leading biodiversity goals and the modernization of our trout hatchery system.”

Tisa’s career at MassWildlife spanned nearly four decades, beginning as an aquatic biologist and advancing through roles as Assistant Director of Fisheries, Deputy Director, and ultimately Director. During his tenure, he built a lasting legacy centered on wildlife conservation, habitat protection, and expanding opportunities for people across Massachusetts to connect with nature through hunting, fishing, and outdoor recreation.

“The Commonwealth is grateful for Mark Tisa’s 38 years of service and 7 years of leadership as Director of the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife,” said Department of Fish and Game Commissioner Tom O’Shea. “Throughout his tenure, Mark has been recognized nationally for his leadership and was instrumental in the modernization of the Division’s facilities and operations, increasing the relevance of the mission and access to nature for all, and advocating for strategic, landscape-level conservation. I look forward to carrying on Mark’s legacy and achievements into the future.”

Among his many accomplishments, Tisa served as lead project manager for the design and construction of MassWildlife’s Westborough Field Headquarters, a 45,000-square-foot, LEED Platinum, zero-net-energy building—the first state building of its kind. Under his leadership, nearly 20,000 acres of land were permanently protected and MassWildlife completed the 2025 State Wildlife Action Plan while supporting the Department of Fish and Game’s development of Massachusetts’ Biodiversity Conservation Goals.

“Under Mark’s leadership and guidance, we have increased days in the field for hunters, expanded access opportunities to the outdoors, and built our habitat restoration programs,” said Emma Ellsworth, Chair of the Fisheries and Wildlife Board and Executive Director of the Mount Grace Land Trust. “He worked steadfastly to increase visibility and resources for MassWildlife and his long career reflects a passion for wildlife, conservation, and biodiversity in Massachusetts.”

Tisa is also a nationally recognized conservation leader, having served as President of the Northeast Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, a member of the Executive Committee of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies, a member of the Board of Directors for the American Sportfishing Association, and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Council to Advance Hunting and the Shooting Sports. He represented the Department of Fish and Game on the State Water Resources Commission for 20 years and organized three regional NEAFWA conferences in Massachusetts.

“Mark has been a visionary leader at the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies where he has served with distinction on the Executive Committee for many years,” said Ronald Regan, Executive Director of the Association of Fish & Wildlife Agencies. “Along the way, Mark has developed highly important relationships with national partners and conservation leaders. Mark will be sorely missed by the Association, and myself personally, having worked alongside him for over two decades, but I wish Mark the best possible future in retirement."

Additional achievements during Tisa’s career include establishing youth pheasant and turkey hunt programs, expanding hunting opportunities for pheasant, deer, bear, and turkey, launching the award-winning Hunters Share the Harvest program to address food insecurity, advancing habitat restoration partnerships, and helping to secure a permanent, gravity-fed water supply to the McLaughlin Trout Hatchery through construction of a pipeline from the Quabbin Aqueduct.

Dr. Everose (Eve) Schlüter, who has served with MassWildlife for more than 16 years and most recently as Deputy Director, will assume the role of Acting Director. Schlüter brings extensive experience in wildlife biology, conservation planning, and agency leadership and will guide the Division during the transition period. 

“I am grateful for the opportunity to serve as Acting Director and to continue advancing MassWildlife’s mission during this transition,” said Eve Schlüter. Mark Tisa's leadership has helped position the agency for the future, and I look forward to working with our dedicated staff, the Fisheries and Wildlife Board, and partners to continue conserving wildlife and expanding access to the outdoors.”