Commissioners and Exectuive Staff

Gustafson graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Forest Science from Penn State in 2000. He began his career as a forester with Weaber Inc. in Lebanon in 2001, was hired as a forester by the Pennsylvania Department of Natural Resources, then in 2003, became a forester with the Game Commission in the Northwest Region.

In 2005, Gustafson was promoted to forest program specialist and helped start the agency’s Forest Inventory and Analysis Section. In 2007, he was promoted to Chief Forester of the Game Commission until his current promotion to bureau director.

Gustafson enlisted in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard in 1997. In 2006, he was appointed to the rank of Second Lieutenant by Direct Commission. He served as First Lieutenant and Company Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq from September 2008 until October 2009 and was decorated with numerous military honors.

Gustafson is originally from Port Allegany in McKean County. He and his wife, Christine, currently reside in Loysville, Perry County, with daughters Rebekah and Caroline, and lab Ruby.

David Mitchell serves as the deputy director of field operations, a role he began in July of 2021. He is responsible for assisting in the planning and directing of statewide wildlife management programs for the Pennsylvania Game Commission, and developing and maintaining operational procedures for the day-to-day management of the agency through coordination of the agency's region directors.

Beginning in April of 2021, prior to being appointed to his current position, he was the director of the Southeast Region. He began his career with the Game Commission as a trainee Wildlife Conservation Officer in June of 1991 when he enrolled in the 21st class at Ross Leffler School of Conservation.

Prior to becoming director of the Southeast Region, Mitchell served in assignments as Northcentral Region Director from July 2017 to April 2021, Land Management Supervisor in the Southeast Region from November 2014 to July 2017, Land Management Group Supervisor in Group 4 of the Southeast Region from July 1995 to November 2014. He served as a district wildlife conservation officer in Lehigh County from March 1992 to July 1995.

His educational background includes a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and Criminal justice from Lycoming College.

Mitchell’s career accomplishments include serving as the field representative on the Palmerton Superfund Reclamation Project, receiving the Joe Kurtz award from the PA Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation, The Primitive Arrow Award from the United Bowhunters of Pennsylvania, and the Friend of the Lehigh River Award from Wildlands Conservancy.

He is an avid sportsman and conversationist who is a member of the National Wild Turkey Federation, Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation, Ducks Unlimited, and Conservation Officers of Pennsylvania.

.Kelly joined the Game Commission in August 2024 as the Deputy Executive Director for Administration. She began her career with the commonwealth as an Administrative Assistant with the Department of Agriculture. Her ten years of service with the Department of Agriculture also included time as their Legislative Director, Policy Director, Director of Transformation, and most recently the Bureau of Administrative Services Director.

Kelly spent an additional six years with the Department of Aging where she served as their Legislative Director and their Director of Operations and Management. Kelly is a native of Pennsylvania and grew up in Mifflin County. She is a graduate of Penn State University with a B.A. in Political Science.

Dr. Matthew Schnupp was appointed Director of the Bureau of Wildlife Management during January 2018. Prior to joining the Game Commission, Matthew served for 10 years as the chief wildlife biologist and research liaison for the 825,000-acre King Ranch, in Kingsville, TX. He also served as an adjunct professor at Texas A&M University-Kingsville.

Matthew has worked with an array of game, nongame, waterfowl, vegetation, threatened and endangered species, and diseases like chronic wasting disease. He has experience working with state and federal employees, politicians, researchers, non-profit organizations, and sportsmen. Matthew is a Certified Wildlife Biologist® and his educational background includes a doctorate and a master’s in wildlife science from Texas A&M University-Kingsville and a bachelor’s degree in wildlife and fisheries management from West Virginia University.

Matthew developed his love for the outdoors by hunting deer, squirrels, and pheasants in Washington and Greene counties. He spends his free time enjoying the outdoors with his wife Jessica and their two kids.

Jason L. DeCoskey was appointed Director of the Bureau of Wildlife Protection in January 2020. Having worked for the agency since 2001, he is responsible for overseeing and directing law enforcement operations.

Jason served in the United State Marine Corps from 1994-1998 as a fire direction controlmen for an artillery battery. He graduated with the Game Commission’s 26th Class of the Ross Leffler School of Conservation in 2002 and served the sportsmen in Dauphin county until 2006.

As a district officer, he served with nine Deputy Game Wardens, with who he credits for his success as a game warden.

Lauren Ferreri was appointed Director of the Bureau of Information and Education in April 2024.

Lauren started volunteering with the Game Commission during her college career at Delaware Valley University where she majored in Wildlife Management and Conservation. After graduation Lauren worked in a variety of seasonal positions at Hawk Mountain Sanctuary, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. She officially started her career with the Game Commission in 2012 as a bio-aide working on a study on white-tailed deer in the Southeast Region. After that study came to an end, Lauren pursued a biologist position in the North Central and eventually returned to the Southeast Region working at Middle Creek Wildlife Management Area from 2016-2024 where she oversaw the biological work, controlled hunts, and visitors center operations.

During her time at Middle Creek, which hosts nearly 150,000 visitors a year, Lauren took a deeper dive in connecting further with the public through opportunities offered at Middle Creek including permitted hunts, conservation education programs, and wildlife viewing.

Lauren’s passion brought her to the Bureau of Information and Education where she hopes to connect with all Pennsylvanians through wildlife in their respective lives. Lauren enjoys hiking, birding, hunting, visiting National Parks, and spending time with her family and dogs.

Matt Morrett from Linglestown, Pennsylvania, began turkey calling at age six and competed in his first contest in 1976. At his first Grand Nationals in 1987, Matt brought the junior title back to the Keystone State, then won his first World Friction Championship and the U.S. Open Friction contests.

That same year, Matt joined the staff of Hunters Specialties, where he developed innovative products for turkey hunters and later helped launch the Struttin’ video series and HS Outdoors television series on the Outdoor Channel.

After decades with the iconic company, Matt took on the role of VP of Sales & Marketing for Zink Calls and Avian-X, where the Avian-X TV series became the driving force behind these brands.

He won the Senior Grand Nationals in 1990, took the World Friction Championship four more times, racked up six more U.S. Open titles, and wrapped up his calling career with a win at the Master’s Invitational in his home state.

Today, Matt uses 30 years of experience in the hunting industry and a passion for conservation to give back as Director of the Marketing & Strategic Communications Bureau at the Pennsylvania Game Commission.