DES MOINES – The Chief of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Bureau, Mark Sedlmayr, is retiring on Friday, April 28, 2017, after 37 years with the DNR.
Sedlmayr has served as the Chief for the past 2.5 years. Before becoming the Chief, Sedlmayr served in several different capacities since he began his career with DNR at the age of 19, including: seasonal worker in the Parks Bureau, park attendant, park ranger and law enforcement district supervisor.
During Sedlmayr’s career, he has played a very instrumental role in many construction projects at state parks that have included the addition of playgrounds, cabins and facility renovations. Sedlmayr drafted the state’s first ecosystem management plan for parks, standardized the DNR law enforcement patrol vehicles and provided great input on rule and code changes to make recreating and resource protection the success it is today.
“My favorite part about the DNR is the great people that work for this agency and how much they really care about what they do,” said Chief Mark Sedlmayr. “As Chief it has been an honor to be able to implement changes that have led to wiser uses of our resources and provide our law enforcement officers the tools needed to do their day to day duties.”
Sedlmayr says the biggest changes he’s seen over the years are the increase of options for those utilizing the state parks, such as the additions of rental cabins and family cabins and renovation of campgrounds to include full electrical hook-up sites. He also says the deer population in Iowa has become one of the top herds in the nation and we’ve increased the wildlife species like wild turkeys, bobcats and otters in our state.
“Chief Sedlmayr has had a tremendous impact on our Department, and especially our Law Enforcement Bureau,” DNR Director Chuck Gipp said. “His diligent work and knowledge has helped pass legislation that has made a difference in every Iowan’s life and has positively impacted our natural resources. We are forever grateful for his dedication to our department and we will miss him greatly.”
Sedlmayr is a native of Reinbeck, Iowa, and currently resides in Afton. He and his wife have two sons who both work in law enforcement roles in the conservation field. He looks forward to spending more time with his family during retirement and also hunting, trapping and fishing.
Deputy Chief Jeff Swearngin will serve as Interim Bureau Chief of the Law Enforcement Bureau, effective Friday, April 28, 2017.