Council Operations: Council Staff

Executive Staff

Chuck Tracy Chuck Tracy is the Executive Director and is responsible for overseeing all operations of the Council, including managing the Council staff and implementing actions and policies of the Council. Chuck has a degree in Biological Oceanography from Humboldt State University with additional graduate level work in estuarine ecology. He has been with the Council since 2001, following several years of service with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife focusing on interjurisdictional fisheries issues, including Columbia River sturgeon research and salmon management. Before becoming the Deputy Director, Chuck was responsible for Council salmon fishery management matters. Little-known fact: Chuck’s hobbies include cooking and wine tasting.

Mike Burner is the Deputy Director.  Mike has a degree in biology from Lawrence University, and has completed graduate level work through the Boston University Marine Program. Mike started with the Council in 2002 after working nearly ten years on salmon management issues for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife. He has served as the staff officer for salmon, ecosystem, and coastal pelagic species. Little known fact: Mike has a passion for vintage Volkswagens and is currently working on the preservation of a 1963 Dormobile Camper.

Staff Officers

Kelly Ames is the staff officer responsible for groundfish fishery analysis as well as staffing the Groundfish Management Team, and handling Pacific halibut issues. Prior to joining the Council, Kelly worked for the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as the groundfish management program leader working with both commercial and recreational fisheries. During this time, she served on the Groundfish Management Team. Additionally, Kelly spent six years as the stock assessment survey coordinator for the International Pacific Halibut Commission. Kelly has a bachelor’s degree in biology and master’s degree in environmental policy and management. Little known fact: Kelly wore XTRATUFs on her wedding day.

Christopher “Kit” Dahl is the staff officer in charge of the National Environmental Policy Act process and highly migratory species. Kit also works on other staff officer assignments and projects. Kit has an extensive background in fisheries management, including work with the Western Pacific Council in Hawaii. Little-known fact: Kit once dined on yak stomach while trekking in Nepal.

John DeVore is the staff officer responsible for staffing the Scientific and Statistical Committee and groundfish management issues, which includes staffing the Groundfish Management Team and the Groundfish Advisory Subpanel, and providing analytical documents for Council consideration. John grew up in a fishing community on the East Coast and graduated from Cornell University. Before working with the Council, John worked with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. There, he focused on Columbia River sturgeon and predator/prey issues, studied channel deepening, and was involved in salmon and smelt research and management. Little-known fact: John has served as a crew member on an East Coast bottom trawler, a Pacific halibut longliner, and a salmon troller.

Robin Ehlke is the staff officer responsible for salmon fishery management. Robin staffs the Salmon Technical Team, the Salmon Advisory Subpanel, and the Model Evaluation workgroup. She is a Washington State native born and raised in Vancouver, Washington.  Robin attended Clark Community College and Portland State University to earn her Bachelors degree.  Prior to joining the Council, she worked at Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife for 16 years. While there most of her work focused on Columbia River salmon fisheries, but also included sturgeon, smelt and Chum salmon research, stream surveys, commercial sampling and creel checks.  Little-known fact:  Robin is a big fan of American classic cars.

Jennifer Gilden is the staff officer responsible for legislative matters, outreach and information, and the Habitat Committee. She works on the Marine Resources Education Program (a training program for fishermen who want to get involved in management), develops outreach materials, tracks legislation, translates scientific information for general readership, produces the newsletter, contributes to social impact analyses and other social science efforts, and works on enhancing the council’s communication with constituents. Jennifer graduated from Vassar and has a MA in environmental anthropology from Oregon State University. Little-known fact: Jennifer takes improv lessons on the side.

Kerry Griffin staffs the Coastal Pelagic Species (CPS) Management Team and CPS Advisory Subpanel, and works on a variety of habitat-related issues included Essential Fish Habitat periodic reviews.  He earned his Bachelors degree and a Masters in Marine Resource Management from Oregon State University, where he studied marine fisheries management and aquaculture. Prior to coming to the Council, he worked nine years with NMFS on a variety of habitat issues such hydropower, fish passage, gravel extraction, Essential Fish Habitat, and habitat restoration. Little known fact: In the late 1800s, Kerry’s great-grandfather started a sail-making business in Portland, and it’s still in business today.

Jim Segeris the staff officer for economic analysis and various specialized fishery management issues such as limited entry. He staffs the groundfish individual quota process and other ad-hoc groups. He has degrees in zoology, marine policy, and psychology with additional graduate level work in economics. Little-known fact: Jim’s great grandparents were Swedish fishers from Kumlinga, Åland, a disputed territory controlled by Finland, which was part of the Russian empire at the time of their emigration.

Brett Wiedoff Brett was hired temporarily to oversee development of an electronic monitoring regulatory program, but now has a permanent position at the Council. He staffs the ad-hoc Groundfish Electronic Monitoring Policy Advisory Committee and Technical Advisory Committee. Brett has a degree in biology from University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point, and has completed graduate level work at Oregon State University. Brett has worked for PSMFC as a shoreside whiting fishery data analyst, for ODFW as a stream surveyor, technical assistant and as a Project Leader for nearshore and coastal pelagic commercial fisheries, and was on the Council’s Coastal Pelagics Species Management Team. Brett worked the last 5 years as a natural resource specialist for the NMFS Pacific Islands Regional Office working on HMS fisheries. Little known fact: I grew up in Wisconsin but in high school I wanted to be a professional surfer.

Information Technology

Sandra Krause is the Program Manager for Information Technology for the Council and has been with the Council since February 1993. She is responsible for all aspects of the Council’s computer network infrastructure, network administration and management (including working with agencies and vendors to ensure the Council has the appropriate systems), computer support services, website construction and maintenance, and a variety of other technical support functions. Little known fact: Sandra’s favorite numbers are 19 and 33.

Kris Kleinschmidt serves as IT Specialist for the Council staff. He is responsible for electronic document production and e-distribution functions, as well as other IT and various administrative activities. Kris graduated from the Edward R. Murrow school of Communication, at Washington State University, Pullman. Little known fact: Kris has traveled over half the U.S. and over eight countries abroad, where he was able to go snowboarding on the Swiss Alps and ride a Harley Davidson around the Big Island of Hawaii.

Administrative Staff

Renee Dorval is an Administrative Specialist for the Council. She handles hotel and travel arrangements as well as other administrative tasks. She returned to Portland in 1987 after spending 14 years in Haines, Alaska. Little known fact: while growing up in Haines, Renee used to help her late father, the Harbormaster, patrol harbor and waterfront areas before and after school.

Kimberly Ambert serves as an Administrative Specialist for the Council staff. She is responsible for document production and distribution functions, as well as other administrative activities. She graduated from Oregon State University with a degree in Liberal Studies and an emphasis in pre-Elementary Education. Little known fact: Kim likes to decorate cakes in her spare time.

Patricia Crouse is the Administrative Officer for the council staff. She performs a variety of accounting duties and a range of budget preparation and analysis in support of the Council’s fiscal responsibilities. She has a Bachelors Degree in Business Management from Eastern Oregon University. Her background includes accounting for non-profits in Maine, Oregon and California. Little known fact: Patricia was a lifeguard in high school.