Rowan Gould Oral History Transcript

Rowan effectively touched on the varied and numerous positions he held with the Fish and Wildlife Service spanning nearly 40 years. His interest in fish and wildlife resources began at Oregon State University where he studied microbiology. He later completed his PhD researching fish diseases, immune response in fish and developing fish vaccines. Rowan’s career led him to accepting many leadership positions throughout the Northwest, as well as Pennsylvania and Washington, DC, sometimes crisscrossing the country on assignments critical to the mission of the Service. He reflects on how the oil spills were difficult on him personally, timewise; but acknowledges how the work was also incredibly rewarding. He witnessed firsthand how Fish and Wildlife Service employees responded to those disasters. He remarks on the considerable progress the Service has made over the years in understanding and valuing diversity in the workforce. Though not mentioned in the interview, Rowan received the DOI’s Meritorious Service Award in 2009, and was recognized as a Distinguished Executive by President Obama in 2011, for leadership exemplifying the highest standards of service to the public.