The Conservation Angler Appoints Award-Winning Fisheries Scientist Dr. George Pess as Chief Operating Officer and Director of Science

[PORT ANGELES, WA] — The Conservation Angler (TCA) is proud to announce that Dr. George Pess, an award-winning fisheries scientist and world-renowned expert in dam removal, has joined the organization as its Chief Operating Officer and Director of Science. Dr. Pess joins TCA following a distinguished 26-year career with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), where he led landmark research on salmonid recovery and ecosystem restoration.

The appointment formalizes a professional partnership spanning three decades between Dr. Pess and TCA leadership. "George is a 'heavy hitter' in every sense of the word, but more importantly, he is a long-time friend and colleague I have worked alongside for thirty years," said John McMillan, President of The Conservation Angler. "Beyond his immense research skills and his status as a world leader in dam removal and ecosystem recovery, what truly sets George apart is his natural ease in working with people. He has built incredible relationships across agencies, Tribes, and NGOs through his keen insight and an unwavering dedication to knowledge and transparency. As we scale The Northern Crown across the North Pacific to protect our best remaining wild fish populations, George's leadership will be the catalyst for the rigorous, collaborative science we need to ensure future generations inherit rivers full of wild fish."

Dr. Pess's arrival coincides with the expansion of The Northern Crown, TCA's network of sentinel rivers spanning from California to Kamchatka. While traditional restoration often focuses on the "house" — the physical habitat — TCA's mission is to provide the "audit," measuring whether the fish are actually responding to those improvements.

"I've spent my career quantifying how ecosystems respond to change, and I'm thrilled to join an organization that empowers the people on the water to be the frontline of data collection," said Dr. George Pess. "The Northern Crown represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to gather the high-resolution biological data needed to ensure wild steelhead and salmon thrive in a changing climate."

A Legacy of Scientific Excellence

Dr. Pess is a prolific researcher who has authored more than 130 peer-reviewed articles, books, and book chapters. His technical expertise in quantifying ecosystem responses to restoration has made him a vital collaborator for federal and state agencies, Tribes, and academic institutions. He continues to serve as an affiliate professor at the University of Washington.

At TCA, Dr. Pess will oversee scientific strategy and operations, ensuring that biological samples collected by the "Angler-Scientist" network, including DNA clips, scale samples, and other biological measurements, are translated into actionable knowledge for management agencies.

"In many rivers, wild steelhead populations remain understudied compared to salmon," McMillan added. "George has spent his life shining a light into those lesser-known corners of fish and rivers. Together, we want to build the scientific understanding that can support strong stewardship and, ultimately, more wild fish."

About Dr. George Pess

Dr. Pess is an award-winning scientist holding a BA from Bowdoin College, an MS from Yale University, and a PhD from the University of Washington. During his 26-year tenure at NOAA, he became a leading authority on the impacts of habitat restoration and dam removal on salmonid populations. He is an avid steelhead angler dedicated to the intersection of rigorous science and grassroots conservation.

About The Conservation Angler

The Conservation Angler (TCA) protects the best remaining populations of wild steelhead across the Pacific Rim. Through "The Northern Crown" — a global network of sentinel rivers spanning from California to Kamchatka — TCA turns the act of fishing into a rigorous scientific endeavor. By empowering guides and anglers to collect actionable data, TCA fills critical monitoring gaps that traditional agencies cannot, safeguarding our most resilient wild fish populations for future generations.