MONTPELIER, Vt. — The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department announced on Monday that Maj. Justin Stedman will become the new director of the Warden Service Division.

 

Stedman, an 18-year veteran of the Warden Service, will be promoted to colonel on Sept. 24. He will succeed Col. Jason Batchelder, who has led the Warden Service since 2014.

 

"Leadership transitions can bring uncertainty in a law enforcement agency, but in Justin's case this promotion will only strengthen the Warden Service's culture and unity with the Fish and Wildlife Department as a whole," said Batchelder. "Leaving the Warden Service in Justin's capable hands fills me with great pride and anticipation for the future."

 

Stedman joined the Warden Service in 2004. After training, he was assigned as the district game warden for Chittenden County's Burlington District, where he was promoted to senior game warden. He later was the senior game warden in Rutland County's Poultney District, where he was promoted to central district lieutenant. Stedman was promoted to major in 2020. 

 

Before joining the Warden Service, Stedman served with the Castleton and Montpelier police departments and the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. With the Coast Guard, he was deployed on Homeland Security assignments following the Sept. 11 attacks.  Stedman is also a graduate of the Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Leadership and Management Program and the prestigious National Conservation Law Enforcement Leadership Academy.

 

"In his nearly two decades at the department, Major Stedman has been a driving force in the Warden Service's most impactful partnerships with our biologists, educators, and leadership to safeguard Vermont's natural resources for every citizen of this state," said Commissioner Christopher Herrick. "The Warden Service could not be in better hands looking ahead."

 

Stedman is a resident of Rutland County, where he enjoys fishing, hunting, boating and horseback riding with his family.