The Twin Harbors Fish & Wildlife Advocacy
Technical Advisory Team
Hal Michael
Hal Michael holds a masters degree in biology from the University of Washington. He retired following a distinguished career in fisheries management with the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife (WDFW) and its predecessor, the Washington Department of Game.
Hal has authored or co-authored a large number of technical publications regarding fisheries biology and management related to planning, modeling, habitat, and peer review. His work has been recognized and honored by the American Institute of Fisheries Biologist (Fellow-2002) and in 2002 the IBC named Hal to the “2000 Outstanding Scientists of the 21st Century (First Edition).
Hal enjoys traveling with Pat, who is also retired from WDFW. His hobbies include trout fishing, bird watching, and photography. (Hal’s resume)
Loren Gee
Loren Gee is a natural resources economist with a BS degree from Washington State University (WSU). His higher education was delayed by very distinguished military tour in Vietnam with a combat ground support helicopter unit (Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal w/V four oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal w/V, and thirty Air Medals).
After his tour of duty, Loren returned to school to earn his Forest Resources Degree in Forest Economics from the University of Washington (UW). He joined the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and subsequently finished his career at the Department of Labor & Industries (L&I).
Loren is enjoying retirement with his Marsha and the rest of the family. He has appreciated the outdoors from his childhood when his father was employed in a fish hatchery outside Shelton. He regularly fishes in the Chehalis River and other locations in Western Washington and other hobbies include model building, fly tying, and golf. (Loren’s resume)
Frank Grygorcewicz
Growing up near Boston, Frank Grygorcewicz developed an interest in marine biology serving as deck hand in the commercial lobster fleet. After a stint in the Air Force, Frank relocated to Olympia where he earned a biology degree from St. Martins University. During college, he enjoyed his work with NOAA subcontractors gathering information and data from boats fishing off the coast of Washington.
Frank decided to pursue higher-paying opportunities in the field of certification, inspection, and quality control in the aviation and nuclear industries throughout the U.S and Canada. Now retired, Frank has returned to his life-long interest in biology. His hobbies are the grandkids and taking care of his own private 30 plus acre mature forest that begins as one steps off his back porch. He and Karen enjoy sharing the forest they own with birds of all types, deer, bear, elk, racoons, and other species of wildlife. They are also fortunate that the forest includes peat bogs, wetlands, native fauna from ferns to wild huckleberries and salmon spawning grounds in a creek that flows through their back yard. (Frank’s resume)
Tim Hamilton
Tim Hamilton is a life-long resident of Grays Harbor and recognized throughout North America as an expert on the petroleum distribution system testifying before state legislatures across the country and in Congress.
Tim has interacted with federal government regulatory agencies including the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), Department of Energy (DOE), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the congressional General Accounting Office (GAO). On the state level, he has served by invitation of the Department or appointment by the Governor to advisory councils for the Pollution Liability Insurance Agency (PLIA), Department of Agriculture (WDA, Weights & Measures), Department of Ecology (DOE), and Department of Licensing (DOL).
Tim’s “big thing” is government transparency and insuring the processes used to set regulations allows the public an ability to practice citizenship in an effective manner. He spends his spare time with Mary and their grandchildren at the home they built together outside McCleary. When time allows, he likes to get out of the office built above the garage and into a boat on coastal waters and rivers. While not a common event, he is occasionally lucky enough to actually catch a fish. (Tim’s resume)
The Technical Advisory Team (TAT)
The Advocacy fully recognizes that employees of federal and state regulatory agencies involved in the management of fish, wildlife, and other natural resources face an extremely complicated and challenging job. The technical expertise and experiences required to effectively manage are significant to say the least. Often, a lack of necessary resources (budget, trained staff, etc.) compounds the problems they face on a day-to-day basis.
When a citizen’s attempts to interact with the management, regardless of the extensive “layman” knowledge gathered in their lifetime experiences, they are often overwhelmed by a lack of technical expertise and experience in regulatory processes. All to often, the ability of the public to practice “citizenship” is compromised. The citizen is disappointed in the processes used by the regulatory agency and distrust of the agencies or its staff is often the outcome.
To assist both, the regulatory agencies and the public, the Advocacy sought out individuals with technical expertise and regulatory management experience to form a Technical Advisory Team with the goal of filling the void found within much of the general public. In addition, the TAT is supported by other individuals that act as “resources” to supplement the members of the TAT. As a result, academia comes together with practical experience to create a well-rounded team.
The current TAT members are shown on the left and their resumes are provided. The participants on the “Resources List” remain anonymous.
The Advocacy plans on adding additional members of the TAT and grow the number of individuals on the Resources List as well. Individuals that are interesting in discussing participation as an Advisor or a Resource are encouraged to contact the Advocacy using the email contact form on the “Contact Us” page.