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News Release Archive
Karl Wirkus Selected as Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Regional Director
Media Contact:
Clifton "Kip" White, 202-513-0684
For Release: March 12, 2010
Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Michael L. Connor has named Karl Wirkus as the new Regional Director for Reclamation's Pacific Northwest Region. Wirkus has served as Reclamation's Deputy Commissioner for Operations since 2007.
"The experience and knowledge that Karl has about Reclamation and the Pacific Northwest will be invaluable," said Connor. "I am delighted he has accepted this position."
As Deputy Commissioner for Operations, Wirkus oversaw the operations in Reclamation's five regions, the Technical Service Center, Research and Development Office, the Native American and International Affairs Office, Power Liaison, and Dam Safety Officer/Design, Estimating, Construction.
Wirkus began his Reclamation career in 1981 in the Pacific Northwest Region's Geology Branch and subsequently served as a project geologist for dam safety modifications as well as construction manager for dam safety projects in southwestern Montana and Idaho. He became the Area Manager for the Klamath Basin Area Office beginning in 1996. Prior to coming to Washington in the role of Deputy Commissioner, Wirkus served as Deputy Regional Director in the Pacific Northwest Region's headquarters in Boise, Idaho, representing Reclamation in complex negotiations on Endangered Species Act issues and providing support in all other regional programs.
Wirkus graduated from Boise State University in 1984 with a Bachelors Degree in geology.
The Pacific Northwest Region encompasses the Columbia River Basin and coastal watersheds of Oregon and Washington.
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