Curt Melcher, Director

Curt Melcher is a native Oregonian, who graduated from the University of Oregon with a B.S. degree in Biology.

He began his career with the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife as a temporary employee in 1985. During his time at the Department, he has represented the State of Oregon in numerous regional management forums, including the Pacific Fishery Management Council, Klamath Fishery Management Council, and Pacific Salmon Commission Southern Panel.

Curt served as the Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife programs from 2007 through 2014 and was appointed the Interim Director in September 2014. He was hired as permanent Director in February 2015 and is currently the President of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies.

Curt is passionate about the conservation of Oregon's natural resources and is an avid hunter and angler.

Shannon Hurn, Deputy Director for Administration

Shannon oversees the divisions that provide customer service and technical assistance to department staff and customers, Administrative Services, Human Resources, Information & Education, Management Resources, and Information Systems Divisions.

She has worked for Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife since 2000, most recently, Shannon served as the Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs for six years. Prior to the department she worked in Alaska as a commercial fisheries observer, for Washington State Department of Agriculture, and at the US Geological Survey.

Shannon graduated from Washington State University with a B.S. in Natural Resource Management and has an M.S.L. in Environmental Law and Policy from Lewis and Clark Law School.

Debbie Colbert, Deputy Director for Fish and Wildlife Programs

Debbie oversees the Fish, Wildlife and Habitat Divisions as well as the regional and field offices across the state.

She has served the state of Oregon for more than 20 years, having worked for six years as an administrator at Oregon State University, five years as Deputy Director for Administration at ODFW, and nine years at the Oregon Water Resources Department in roles such as Field Services Division Administrator, Senior Policy Coordinator, and Policy Analyst.

Debbie received a B.S. degree in Biology from Randolph-Macon College, M.S. in Chemical Oceanography from Moss Landing Marine Laboratories at San Jose State University, and Ph.D. in Oceanography from Oregon State University.