Pete Geesling (third from left) was one of five veterans honored at this year’s ceremony. Also pictured from left are Col. Jimmie Cole, Veterans Service Commissioner Many-Bears Grinder, Governor Bill Haslam, and First Lady Crissy Haslam.
Brandon “Pete” Geesling, a wildlife officer for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency in Warren County, was one of five veteran state employees recognized during a Veterans Day observance event held at the Tennessee Tower Plaza.
Previously, Mr. Geesling served as a sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps. He was a combat engineer which included a deployment to support Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Governor Bill Haslam and his wife, Crissy, joined officials from the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Tennessee Military to honor Tennessee’s veterans working in state government.
Officials from each of the agencies with honorees had representatives introduce the recipient. TWRA Executive Director Ed Carter introduced Mr. Geesling for his presentation.
Mr. Geesling has worked for TWRA for eight years and has been selected as Officer of the Year in District 31. Recently, his investigative efforts led to the prosecution of several individuals involved in one of the largest deer poaching rings in the state. The case resulted in close to 130 charges. Most recently, Mr. Geesling traveled to South Carolina to work with emergency agencies involved in rescue efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Joaquin.
The TWRA recipient was recognized with four other veteran employees representing the departments of Human Resources, Environment and Conservation, Tennessee Higher Education Commission, and Finance and Administration.