Little Rock, Arkansas – Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders has appointed Steve Kueter of Paragould to serve as the newest member of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, bringing decades of experience in conservation, agriculture, and outdoor recreation to the state agency.
The announcement was made in Jonesboro, where officials confirmed that Kueter will serve a seven-year term on the commission, which will run through 2033. He replaces outgoing Commission Chairwoman Anne Marie Doramus. Following the appointment, Rob Finley will serve as the Commission Chairman.
State leaders said Kueter’s background as a lifelong outdoorsman and third-generation aquaculture farmer made him a strong choice for the position. His career and community involvement have centered around Arkansas’ natural resources, farming, and efforts to preserve the state’s outdoor traditions.
“Steve has spent his life helping steward our natural resources while preserving our state’s rich outdoor heritage for future generations,” said Governor Sanders. “As a lifelong outdoorsman and third-generation aquaculture farmer, Steve brings decades of experience in conservation, agriculture, and public service and I know he will work tirelessly to enhance and promote access to our great outdoors.”
Kueter said he was honored by the appointment and reflected on the progress Arkansas has made in wildlife conservation and management over the years. He pointed to the work of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission as a major reason many species have become more common across the state.
“In my lifetime there have been so many success stories facilitated by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission,” said Steve Kueter. “When I was growing up, you had to travel hours away to deer hunt and turkeys were just being reintroduced to the Ozarks. When we deer hunted in North Arkansas, we came back talking about seeing a lone track or the flash of a deer’s tail. It wasn’t often that you heard of someone harvesting a deer. Today, turkey and deer are abundant throughout most of the state. It is humbling to be appointed by Governor Sanders and entrusted to continue the good work of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and the commissioners who have come before me.”
A lifelong resident of Greene County, Kueter has strong ties to Arkansas’ agricultural and outdoor communities. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Wildlife Management from Arkansas State University and has spent much of his professional life working in aquaculture.
Kueter owns and operates Kueter’s Fish Company, Inc., a third-generation catfish and baitfish farm located in Paragould. His experience in the aquaculture industry has earned him recognition throughout Arkansas and beyond, including being named Catfish Farmer of the Year twice.
In addition to his farming career, Kueter has remained active in community and agricultural organizations. He currently serves on the Board of Directors for Craighead Electric Cooperative Corporation and is president of the Eight Mile Drainage District.
He is also involved with several groups connected to farming and aquaculture, including the Arkansas Catfish Promotion Board, the Greene County Farm Bureau Board, and the Arkansas Bait and Ornamental Fish Growers Association. Previously, he served on the boards of Catfish Farmers of Arkansas and Catfish Farmers of America.
Kueter’s connection to Arkansas’ outdoors began during his childhood, when he spent time hunting and fishing with his father, grandfather, and extended family. Those experiences helped shape his interest in wildlife conservation and continue to influence his approach to protecting the state’s natural resources.
Today, Kueter continues those outdoor traditions with his wife, Emily, their three children, and two grandchildren. He said his appointment represents an opportunity to continue supporting the mission of the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission and build on the conservation work carried out by previous commissioners.
With his combination of wildlife education, agricultural experience, and long-standing involvement in Arkansas communities, Kueter will now take part in guiding decisions that affect hunting, fishing, wildlife management, and access to the state’s outdoor resources for years to come.
