Local elected game commission chair

The New Mexico State Game Commission elect recently appointed Scott Bidegain of Tucumcari as chairman.

Bidegain, 33, was selected to serve as the chairman during the March 21 meeting in Albuquerque.

Bidegain succeeds Jim McClintic, who died Feb. 15 after a battle with cancer.

The state game commission is composed of seven members who represent the state's diverse interests in wildlife-associated recreation and conservation.

Members are appointed by the governor and subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

Sen. Pat Woods, R-Broadview, sponsored Bidegain's appointment which was unanimously confirmed on March 6 by the New Mexico State Senate.

Bidegain works at T4 Cattle Company, a family-owned and operated cattle ranch. He also serves on the New Mexico Cattle Growers Association Board of Directors.

Bidegain holds a bachelor of business degree in accounting and a bachelor of arts degree in general studies from West Texas A&M University.

The Commission also unanimously re-elected Thomas "Dickie" Salopek of Las Cruces as vice-chairman.

Other Commission members are Tom Arvas and Paul Kienzle of Albuquerque, Robert Espinoza of Farmington and Bill Montoya of Alto.

A seventh member of the commission will be named by Gov. Susana Martinez.