The Pennsylvania Game Commission has appointed new directors of the Southwest Region Office in Bolivar and the Northcentral Region Office in Jersey Shore.

Thomas Fazi of Ligonier was named director of the Southwest Region Office on Aug. 12, while David Mitchell of Saylorsburg was named director of the Northcentral Region Office on July 29.Fazi, who has worked within the Southwest Region for his entire 26-year career with the game commission, fills the vacancy created when former region director Pat Anderson retired.Fazi grew up in southwestern Pennsylvania, in Allegheny County, and attended Penn State University. He then served in the U.S. Air Force, being honorably discharged in 1990.He was selected for the 21st class at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation, enrolled in 1991 and graduated in 1992.After graduation, he was assigned as a wildlife conservation officer in Washington County until 1994, then transferred to Westmoreland County, where he served until being promoted to information & education supervisor in the Southwest Region Office in 2009. He served in that capacity until being promoted to director of the Southwest Region.While serving as a WCO, Fazi was a firearms instructor, and did stints as a field-training officer for Ross Leffler School cadets."I am honored and humbled at being chosen to lead the Southwest Region and its outstanding employees," Fazi said. "I've lived and spent my entire career here, and am proud of the contributions made, and will continue to strive toward accomplishing the agency's mission in serving the citizens and wildlife in the Southwest Region."Mitchell fills the vacancy created when former region director Barry Zaffuto retired.After graduating from Lycoming College with a bachelor's degree in political science and criminal justice, Mitchell began his game commission career in June 1991, when he was enrolled in the 21st class at the Ross Leffler School of Conservation.Upon graduation from the school in 1992, he was assigned as a wildlife conservation officer in Lehigh County.In 1995, he accepted the land management officer position in the Southeast Region responsible for Lehigh, Northampton, Bucks, Montgomery, Philadelphia and Delaware counties.Mitchell was promoted to land management supervisor in the Southeast Region Office in 2014, serving in that capacity until being appointed the director of the Northcentral Region Office.Mitchell says his immediate plans are to work with staff and the citizens of the Northcentral Region to attempt to slow the spread of chronic wasting disease. He also would like to continue to improve elk-viewing and elk-hunting opportunities."I am humbled to have the opportunity to lead a dynamic team to protect and manage the wildlife and their habitat in the Northcentral Region. My goal is to make a productive, positive impact to the wildlife resources of the commonwealth," Mitchell said.Game Commission Executive Director Bryan Burhans said he's very pleased with the selection of Fazi and Mitchell as new region directors."With the varied experiences and abilities both individuals possess, I'm confident they'll continue to move the agency's agendas forward," he said.