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The Pennsylvania Game Commission has named a former Hazleton resident and police officer as its new deputy executive director of administration.
Thomas P. Grohol, who most recently served as director of the commission’s Bureau of Wildlife Protection, has officially started in his new role.
Grohol replaces Bryan Burhans, who took over as the Game Commission’s executive director March 27, following the retirement of former executive director R. Matthew Hough.
Prior to serving as bureau director, Grohol served as director of the Game Commission’s Southeast Region. A native of Elizabeth, N.J., Grohol grew up in Hazleton, where he served as a city police officer from 1986 to 1993. He earned an associate degree in forestry from Williamsport Area Community College and received his Act 120 municipal police certification from the State Police Training Center. He also served as a deputy wildlife conservation officer in southern Luzerne County.
As deputy executive director of administration, Grohol assists in planning, directing, executing and coordinating all activities of Pennsylvania’s wildlife-management program. He also directly supervises Game Commission bureau directors and other staff.
Burhans said the Game Commission has called on Grohol to use his innovation and people skills in many different roles throughout the years, and he’s a perfect fit for his new job.
“I am very excited to have someone of Mr. Grohol’s integrity, passion for the mission, and proven track record as a leader to take on this position,” Burhans said.
Grohol is eager for the opportunity.
“I look forward to working with the agency’s Board of Commissioners, the Legislature, agency staff, conservation organizations, hunters and trappers, and all who share our concern for the wildlife resources of our Commonwealth,” Grohol said.
He began his career with the Game Commission in 1980. He was accepted in 1993 into the agency’s Ross Leffler School of Conservation’s 22nd class. Upon graduation, he was assigned to Lancaster County.
While a field officer, Grohol served as an instructor in the areas of defensive tactics, verbal communication skills and firearms. He also served as a resident instructor at the Ross Leffler School for the 24th, 25th and 26th classes.
In 2001, Grohol was promoted to chief of the Bureau of Wildlife Protection’s Administrative Division. In 2007, he became assistant director of the Bureau of Wildlife Protection, where he supervised the Special Operations Division. He became Southeast Region director in 2013, and returned to the Harrisburg headquarters to take over as Bureau of Wildlife Protection director in 2014.
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