Jennifer Quan

Jennifer (“Jen”) Quan began service as the Regional Administrator for NOAA Fisheries West Coast Region in April 2023. In over 27 years of working on West Coast natural resources issues, she benefits from diverse perspectives gained during her time with state and federal governments, the U.S. Senate, and from working with Pacific Northwest tribes. Her career includes experience across a broad spectrum of West Coast fisheries issues ranging from dolphin conservation in the Eastern Tropical Pacific, to research on Blue and Humpback Whales in California, the study of tribal harvest on Gray Whales, Pacific fisheries management, salmon recovery, and Endangered Species Act (ESA) regulations.

Prior to working for the U.S. Senate, she worked for NOAA’s Fisheries West Coast Region where she supervised the south Puget Sound Branch of the Oregon/Washington Coastal Office, with significant achievements in improving branch morale and innovating ESA consultations for the nearshore environment. Before coming to NOAA, she spent 10 years at the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) in various roles. As WDFW Lands Division Manager she led the passage of the state “Discover Pass” legislation, an access pass to state recreation lands that created revenue of over $25 million/year and secured funding for maintenance of conservation and recreation lands. As WDFW Salmon Recovery Policy Advisor and Government Affairs Director, Jen secured the $500 million authorization for Puget Sound Nearshore Ecosystem Restoration Project (PSNERP) in the 2017 Water Resources Development Act and supported congressional coordination efforts that led to the authorization and funding for a new 10-year International Pacific Salmon Treaty.

Jen is a wife and mother of three who considers her family her anchor and greatest accomplishment. In her spare time, you may find her playing “zen” golf, trying out a new recipe, throwing a ball for her 5 year old dog, and skiing if the snow is good. Jen is a fellow of the National Conservation Leadership Institute, and holds a Master’s degree in Marine Affairs from University of Washington and a Bachelors of Science from Evergreen State College.