Dave Bennetts, a Park Manager for Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks in Kalispell, has received the Innovative Thinker Award for 2011. Only three FWP workers statewide received the award.
As a Park Manager in Region One, Bennetts stretched limited resources and increased revenues through the following innovations:
• Secured a $200,000 Jump Start II federal grant for hazard forest fuels mitigation;
• Developed improved Park enterprise account sales items;
• Created Montana State Parks’ first firewood collection permit;
• Secured a 30% funding increase from Avista Utilities for management of Thompson Falls State Park;
• Developed a customized budget tracking program to simplify budget monitoring.
FWP Director Joe Maurier presented awards to Bennetts and others at the October 13 FWP Commission Meeting in Helena. “FWP has some of the most talented and dedicated employees in state government,” Maurier said. “We’re proud of this group and all they’ve achieved; they represent the best of FWP.”
Bennetts is responsible for Les Mason, Whitefish, and Thompson Falls State Parks, and the Thompson Chain of Lakes Fishing Access Site.