Sam D. Hamilton (July 5, 1955 – February 20, 2010) was the 15th director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service from September 1, 2009 until February 20, 2010. Hamilton, a native of Lawrenceville, Georgia, received his bachelor's degree from Mississippi State University in 1977. He was appointed the director of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service in 2009 and was sworn in on September 15, 2009. As director, Hamilton oversaw 8,700 employees who are responsible for nearly 150,000,000 acres (610,000 km2), including approximately 550 national wildlife refuges nationwide.