Woodhouse Nominated From Yuma Area To AZGF Commission

PHOENIX – Governor Janet Napolitano announced the nomination of Robert “Robbie” Woodhouse from the Yuma area to the Arizona Game and Fish Commission, subject to State Senate confirmation.

“Robbie will bring a wealth of experience to the commission,” Governor Napolitano said. “His experience in working with the Legislature and active community leadership will make him a valuable asset to Arizona Game and Fish.”

Woodhouse, a third-generation Arizonan and a third-generation farmer in the Wellton-Mohawk Valley, is a lifelong sportsman who wants to give something back to the wildlife resources of this state. He is the owner of Casa de Lena Farms and president of the Woodhouse & Son Inc. Trucking Company.

“I truly admire what the Game and Fish Commission and department have accomplished over the years,” he says. “Like most sportsmen, I look forward to those times when I am lucky enough to get drawn for something.”

The Game and Fish Commission is the policy-setting board overseeing the Arizona Game and Fish Department. Commission members, who are appointed by the governor, serve staggered five-year terms.

Woodhouse, who lives in the community of Roll near Yuma, has served on numerous boards and commissions and has a keen insight to the needs of the western region of Arizona.

Woodhouse is excited about the opportunity to serve on the Game and Fish Commission. “When you read the outdoor magazines, it becomes apparent that Arizona offers some of the best big-game hunting in the nation. That speaks well for the wildlife resources here and the management we have in place.”

A lifelong sportsman, Woodhouse is a member of the Yuma Rod and Gun Club, is a life member of the National Rifle Association, and also belongs to the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Arizona Deer Association and Safari Club International.

Woodhouse has already been busy looking through the minutes of all the recent meetings of the Game and Fish Commission. “I know there is an immense learning curve ahead of me, so I have been anxious to get started.”

Woodhouse is no stranger to serving on a public policy-setting board. For more than two decades, he has served as a member of two different school boards.

He served on the Mohawk Valley School Governing Board from 1980 to 1996, including six terms as president. From 1997 to the present, he has served on the Antelope High School Governing Board, including two terms as president.

“There are a lot of parallels between a school board and the commission. Both are policy-setting boards and both have an enforcement aspect as well,” Woodhouse says.

Woodhouse has also served as a board member of the Wellton-Mohawk Irrigation District, is a past board member of the Yuma County Farm Bureau and is the current president of the Growers Mohawk Gin Board. He also belongs to the Arizona Cotton Growers, Western Growers Association, Yuma Fresh Vegetable Association and the Arizona Crop Improvement Association.

Woodhouse says all those years of serving on boards and committees have taught him the importance of gathering as much information as possible from all sources during the decision-making process. “I feel strongly that both the pros and cons need to be heard during the process. I think it is important for me to be approachable to anyone or to any side to an issue. I want to hear all ideas.”

Having served on many governing boards, Woodhouse also recognizes the value of gathering the necessary data and other information from the subject experts as well. “There is a lot that goes into making good decisions.”

Woodhouse was born and raised in the Yuma area, and lives a short distance down the road from the house where he grew up on the family farm. He has been married to his wife, Blanca, for 31 years and has two children, Weston and Kellen.

Woodhouse is a master graduate of the Rapport Leadership Institute. He is bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish. He has also been a private pilot since 1971.

He replaces Joseph Melton of Yuma, whose term on the Game and Fish Commission expired in January.