Meet the Commission

Commission Members

Under the provisions of the Arizona Revised Statutes 17-231, the Arizona Game and Fish Commission establishes policy for the management, preservation, and harvest of wildlife. The Commission makes rules and regulations for managing, conserving, and protecting wildlife and fisheries resources, and safe and regulated watercraft and off-highway vehicle operations for the benefit of the citizens of Arizona. In support of the Commission’s obligations, the Director, as chief administrative officer, provides general supervision and control of all Department functions and activities.

Clay Hernandez, commission chair – Tucson

Clay Hernandez, of Tucson, was confirmed as a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission by the Arizona Senate on Feb. 2, following his appointment by Gov. Doug Ducey. A longtime angler and hunter, he has dedicated nearly 30 years to wildlife conservation and is a member of Trout Unlimited, the National Wild Turkey Federation, the Arizona Elk Society, the Arizona Antelope Foundation, and Project Healing Waters of Southern Arizona.

He is active in the community and has served as president of the Old Pueblo (Tucson) chapter of Trout Unlimited and was on the board of the Tucson Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation. He has volunteered as a fly fishing guide for Project Healing Waters in Arizona, Colorado and Alaska. He also volunteered for four years in an Outdoor Studies class for a Tucson High School.

Hernandez has called Arizona home for more than 40 years and has been a practicing attorney in Tucson since 1986. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Arizona State University in 1981 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Arizona in 1986. He is a licensed pilot and speaks two languages. Contact me

Marsha petrie sue, member – scottsdale

Marsha Petrie Sue, of Scottsdale, was appointed to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission on Sept. 6 by Gov. Doug Ducey. A long-time hunter and angler, she has dedicated nearly 25 years to wildlife conservation. She is an Arizona Antelope Foundation Life Member, Arizona Deer Association volunteer, Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society conservationist, and past Women’s Outdoor Media Association Chair. She also serves on the NRA Women’s Leadership Forum Executive Committee. InBusiness Magazine recognized her as a 2022 Woman of Achievement, and she has received the Margie Herndon Conservation Award and the Daughters of the American Revolution Community Service Award.

Ms. Sue has called Arizona home for more than 32 years. She is a retired Corporate Executive who founded Communicating Results and is currently a professional speaker, author, and executive coach. She received a Bachelor of Arts degree from California State University at Long Beach and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. Contact me

jeff buchanan, member – patagonia

Lieutenant General (retired) Jeffrey (“Jeff”) Buchanan earned a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology and is passionate about wildlife and natural resources conservation. He and his wife Laura (who also has a Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology) are members of various conservation organizations ranging from the Arizona Elk Society to the National Wildlife Federation. Buchanan retired from a distinguished 37-year U.S. Army career in 2019, having commanded at every level from Platoon to Theater Army. His assignments included tours in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, 25th Infantry Division, 101st Airborne Division, the 10th Mountain Division, and I Corps. He served four combat tours in Iraq and one in Afghanistan.

From 2016-2019, he served as USNORTHCOM’s Joint Forces Land Component Commander and led the operational-level military response in support of FEMA for five major hurricanes (Matthew, Harvey, Irma, Maria, and Florence) and in support of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agency for Southwest border security.

Upon retirement, he and his wife moved home to Patagonia, Ariz., where he consults from his home office. In addition to serving as a Senior Fellow for National Defense University, Buchanan serves as a Senior Mentor for the Department of the Army. He currently serves on three not-for-profit boards. In addition to his Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Ecology, he also earned a Master of Arts in Leadership Development from the U.S. Military Academy. Contact me

James e. goughnour, member – payson

James E. Goughnour of Payson was confirmed as a member of the Arizona Game and Fish Commission by the Arizona Senate on Jan. 29, 2019 following his appointment by Gov. Doug Ducey. He has lived in Arizona for more than 40 years and is a driving force for wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation in the Payson area. He is the owner of Rim Country Custom Rods, a small business that designs and builds custom fishing rods. Prior to starting his business, he worked 26 years for General Dynamics Aerospace Systems Group (previously Motorola Space Systems Group), culminating in his position as project manager responsible for all aspects of the Aerospace Operations Program. Contact me

Todd G. Geiler, member – Prescott

Todd G. Geiler, O.D., of Prescott, maintains a solo optometric practice that his grandfather began in 1946 in Prescott. A lifelong outdoorsman, Dr. Geiler is an avid hunter and advocate for conservation of all of Arizona’s diverse wildlife and their habitats. He volunteers his time involving young people in a full spectrum of our Arizona’s outdoor activities. He spearheaded a partnership with the City of Prescott and the Arizona Game and Fish Department providing the youth of Prescott, Prescott Valley and Chino Valley with a Kids Free Fishing Day. This day encourages children to spend time outdoors fishing and learning hands-on conservation. He is a Benefactor member of the National Rifle Association and a member of numerous other organizations, including the Arizona Desert Bighorn Sheep Society, the Arizona Deer Association, Arizona Farm and Ranch Bureau, the Pope and Young Club, the Granite Mountain Archers, Safari Club International, Prescott Sportsmen’s Club, Kiwanis Club of Prescott, and other local organizations. Dr. Geiler earned a bachelor of visual science and doctorate of optometry from Pacific University in Forest Grove, Oregon. Prior to that, he attended Glendale Community College and Northern Arizona University for pre-doctoral studies with an emphasis on physics and finance. Contact me