AUGUSTA, Maine — Commissioner Roland D. Martin announced today that Maine Warden Service Major Gregory Sanborn was named Acting Colonel of the Maine Warden Service.
“For the past three years, Major Sanborn has displayed strong leadership skills, and I am pleased that he has agreed to lead the warden service during this transition,” said Roland “Dan” Martin, Commissioner, Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “His expertise will allow the Warden Service to continue to move forward while performing their mission.”
Sanborn, of Sidney, Maine, has served as the second in command of the Maine Warden Service since July of 2004. As the second in command, he worked directly under the colonel and was responsible for the oversight of all field law enforcement and search and rescue activities. As Acting Colonel, Sanborn will oversee the supervision and oversight of nearly 125 officers in the areas of conservation, recreational vehicle law enforcement, and search and rescue. Other responsibilities will include policy, budget, and personnel management.
Sanborn, a game warden for nearly 18 years, was awarded the “Supervisor Of The Year Award” in 2000 for his work as a sergeant. In addition to his past duties as major and sergeant, Sanborn he was an incident commander for the search & rescue team. Sanborn began his Warden Service career as a District Game Warden in Kittery in 1990. He transferred to the Sebago Lake District in 1993 and patrolled there until he was promoted to sergeant in 1997. As a sergeant, he supervised sections in downeast Washington County and in the Katahdin region.
With the announcement that Sanborn was named acting Colonel, Commissioner Martin also stated that a search will begin for a new colonel. No timeline has been set, but Commissioner Martin will appoint a committee to review applications and interview candidates for the position. Commissioner Martin said the ideal and successful candidate for the position of warden service colonel is one that possesses strong leadership and management skills as well as good communication skills – a person with a vision on how best to manage the warden service. The colonel of the warden service serves at the pleasure of the commissioner. While Martin could simply select the next colonel, he has stated that the selection process will be deliberate and complete.
“Statutes require that the Game Warden Colonel be selected from among the game wardens of the department. I will assemble a diverse selection group that will include people from within and outside the department, as well as other branches of law enforcement,” said Commissioner Martin.
Acting Colonel Sanborn stated that Maine Warden Service Captain Joel Wilkinson of Windsor has agreed to perform many of the Major’s functions. Currently as Captain, Wilkinson oversees the Wildlife Crime Investigations Division, the personnel complaint investigation process; the training program for the Bureau; whitewater boating enforcement and safety; and landowner relations. Wilkinson has worked as district game warden, an investigator and a sergeant. He received an exemplary service award for his work as in investigator in 2004, and a State Police Colonel’s award in 2001 for his work in locating the body of a homicide victim. He also served as the incident commander for the Maine Warden Service’s Search, Rescue and Recovery team, and currently is the administrative dive team leader. Wilkinson started as a deputy game warden in the Gray-New Gloucester area in 1992, and his first district was patrolling the Rumford area. He has an associate’s degree in criminal justice from Southern Maine Community College.
Commissioner Martin also swore in two new lieutenants last Wednesday in a brief ceremony at Department Headquarters in Augusta.
Game Warden Shon Theriault of Hartford was promoted to Lieutenant of Special Services. Warden Theriault joined the Maine Warden Service in 1999 and initially patrolled the Rumford area. Warden Theriault has been working out of Augusta the last two years, implementing the Warden Service’s technology initiative in order to automate the operations of the Maine Warden Service. Lieutenant Theriault’s duties will include supervision of all Warden Service’s special services units and continued oversight of the technology initiative.
Game Warden Sergeant William “Adam” Gormely of Greenville was promoted to rank of Southwestern Division Lieutenant. Gormely will oversee 35 game wardens in the southern third of the state, and will be stationed in the Gray Regional Headquarters. Gormely has worked with the Maine Warden Service for 18 years and first started his career in 1990 as a Deputy Game Warden. He was hired full time as a District Game Warden in 1995. Sergeant Gormely was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in 2006.
Commissioner Roland “Dan” Martin, pictured right, swears in Lieutenant Shon Theriault, left, and Lieutenant Adam Gormely, center. (IFW Photo/Bill Pierce)
Acting Colonel of the Maine Warden Service, Greg Sanborn
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