Dr. Debbie Colbert, Director

Colbert was appointed ODFW director in May 2024 and is the first woman to ever be appointed to the permanent ODFW Director position in the agency’s long history. The first state Fish Commission was legally recognized in 1887 and a combined fish and game agency has existed in Oregon since 1893.

Dr. Colbert’s career includes stints in field work as a fish sampler for the Pacific States Marine Fisheries Commission, as a researcher at sea for several months and studying nutrient cycling in Tillamook Bay. During her time at ODFW, Colbert worked for five years as Deputy Director for Administration and as Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs (from 2021 until May 2024). She also worked for the Oregon Water Resources Department and as Board of Trustees Administrator for Oregon State University. Debbie earned a B.S. in Biology, M.S. in Oceanography, and Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Oceanography. She was selected as a 2022 National Conservation Leadership Fellow.

Colbert currently lives in Corvallis with her family.

Ken Loffink, Acting Deputy Director for Administration

Ken oversees the administrative functions of the agency, which includes Administrative Services, Human Resources, Information and Education, Information Systems, and Budget Services. These divisions and programs provide customer service and technical assistance to the department and customers.

Ken has worked for ODFW since 2007, most recently serving as the Administrative Services Division Administrator. Prior to that, Ken worked in a variety of positions in the "field" and headquarters including, Hatchery Technician, Fish Passage Biologist, Assistant Fish Passage Program Coordinator, Fish Screening Passage Coordinator,  and Deputy Administrative Services Division Administrator.

Ken enjoys spending time with his family, as well as fishing, hunting, camping, and playing sports in his spare time.