The Northwest Power and Conservation Council has appointed Patty O’Toole to the position of Fish and Wildlife Division Director. She had been the division’s acting director since August 15, 2019.
O’Toole has extensive experience in developing and implementing the Council’s Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program, the largest regional effort to protect and enhance natural resources in the nation.
Prior to joining the Council in 2003, O’Toole worked for the Confederated Tribes of the Warm Springs Reservation of Oregon as a biologist and as manager of the fisheries program. She has also worked for the Oregon State University Hatfield Marine Science Center and Grant County Public Utility District.
She is currently overseeing the process to amend the program, which the Council is scheduled to adopt later this year.