Don is responsible for overseeing all operations of the Council, including managing the Council staff and implementing the actions and policies of the Council. He received his Bachelors degree from Humboldt State University and Masters and Doctorate degrees from the University of Washington. Prior to coming to the Council,

Don worked for 25 years for the Washington and Oregon State fishery management agencies, concentrating on interjurisdictional fishery management matters in the latter years. Little-known fact: Don coached youth baseball teams extensively, and twice managed teams to the State Tournament where they placed second each time.