U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service Gains New Deputy For Alaska Region

Robyn Thorson, Region 7s new Deputy Regional Director, left her last post in Albuquerque in mid May as the Assistant Regional Director for budget and finance, eagerly returning to Alaska, an old home and working station more than once in her past.

Thorson replaces Dave Allen who is now the Regional Director for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Alaska.

Thorson, a 1974 graduate of the Colorado Womens College, worked in Alaska during her college years as a cook for Brooks Camp in Katmai National ark. She earned her Law Degree from the University of Oregon in 1982. Later she embarked on her career with the Fish and Wildlife Service, when she decided to sign on with Ecological Services Office in Portland in 1985.

She first worked for the Service in the Alaska Region as the Associate Regional Director from 1989-1993. In that position, she took the lead on issues involving oil and gas leasing in the Arctic Coastal Plain.

Thorsons ten years with the Service have already propelled her full circle. "Who would have ever visualized Robyn Thorson as a soldier charged with helping to protect more than 77 million acres of Refuge land in Alaska? Not me," She said. "Its a big responsibility. One that I accept with incredible energy and enthusiasm.

FWS