April Council meeting is final one for outgoing Executive Director Bill Edmonds

After announcing in December that he would be stepping down, Executive Director Bill Edmonds has confirmed his final day with the organization will be April 18, shortly after the April 8-9 Council meeting. The Council also announced that Guy Norman, a former Washington Council member who also worked for both the Washington and Oregon departments of fish and wildlife, will serve as interim executive director. Norman served on the Council between 2016-2023. A search for a permanent executive director is underway.

Edmonds was hired in July 2020 and played a key role in guiding the organization through the challenges of the COVID pandemic and subsequent recovery. His future plans include teaching, consulting, and community service.

“I’m very grateful for my time with the Council and I want to express my appreciation and admiration for the Council members, staff, and regional partners that I’ve had the opportunity to work with and meet,” Edmonds said. “This is a crucial moment for the region in both power planning and fish and wildlife protection and mitigation. I’m excited to see the great work that will come out of the Council over the next few years during the development of the Columbia River Basin Fish and Wildlife Program and the Ninth Northwest Regional Power Plan."

“We want to thank Bill Edmonds for his direction and commitment over the last five years, and deeply appreciate his service to the Council,” said Mike Milburn, current Council Chair and Montana member. "We also appreciate former Council Member Norman's willingness to step in and fill this key role for us for the short term while our search for a permanent executive director continues."