New RecFIN Program Manager: Chris Wheaton

Jason Edwards

The Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commision (PSMFC) is happy to announce the appointment of Chris Wheaton as the new Senior Program Manager as of January 1, 2020. In addition to overseeing the RecFIN program, Chris now also leads various other PSMFC programs such as Northern Pikeminnow Management. Chris succeeds Steve Williams, who retired at the end of 2019.

Chris brings a wealth of data management knowledge and leadership experience to the program, having previously served for six years as Program Manager for the PSMFC StreamNet program, a cooperative fisheries information management and data dissemination project in partnership with the states and tribes of the Columbia River basin and Pacific Northwest.

Prior to joining PSMFC, Chris held various and diverse fisheries and wildlife management positions with Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries (VDGIF), and the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), most notably overseeing operations and management of fish and wildlife as the Northwest Regional Manager of ODFW for twenty years.

Please join us in welcoming Chris to his new position as Senior Program Manager. PSMFC and the Pacific Coast FINs are very excited to be working with Chris to continue to improve and expand the RecFIN program into the future.

   Photo courtesy Bob Toman