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Thomas J O'Connell

Tom has extensive leadership, managerial, supervisory, administrative and technical experience in natural resource ecosystem science and management at the state, interstate, federal and national levels.  Demonstrated ability to develop highly effective teams and partnerships, problem solve complex natural resource management challenges, and lead interdisciplinary science programs. 

Tom is Director of the US Geological Survey’s Eastern Ecological Science Center (formerly Patuxent Wildlife Research Center and Leetown Science Center) where he leads a team of interdisciplinary scientists to conduct regional, national and international fish, wildlife and ecological science to support priority conservation and management needs of the Department of Interior and other Federal, state and non-governmental organizations.  Among EESC’s science programs include the North American Bird Banding Laboratory and Breeding Bird Survey as well as sea duck colony research program.  While Tom came to USGS in 2016 to serve as Center Director of the Leetown Science Center, he recently (2020) expanded his Director responsibilities to include the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center.  Prior to coming to USGS in 2016, Tom worked 23 years for the State of Maryland Department of Natural Resources (MD DNR) Fisheries Service where he began as a fisheries biologist and served 7 years as the State’s Fisheries Director. Tom has also several years of professional experience as a wildlife biologist focusing on game and non-game avian species monitoring and management.   

Professional Experience

  • Center Director, Eastern Ecological Science Center (04/2020 to Present) and Leetown Science Center, U.S. Geological Survey (09/2016 to 04/2020)

  • Supervisory Fish Biologist, GS-0482-15, Fish and Wildlife Program Coordinator (Acting), U.S. Geological Survey (05/2017 to 08/2017)

  • Director of Fish Conservation Program, Ocean Conservancy 05/2016 to 08/2016

  • Director of Fisheries, Maryland Department of Natural Resources 05/2008 to 07/2015

  • Assistant Director, MD DNR Fisheries Service 05/2006 to 05/2008

  • Operations Director, MD DNR Estuarine and Marine Fisheries Division 03/2005 to 05/2006

  • Oyster Restoration Manager, MD DNR Estuarine and Marine Fisheries Division  08/2001 to 03/2005

  • Administrator, MD DNR Fisheries Regulation and Legislation Division  12/2000 to 08/2001

  • Fisheries Biologist, MD DNR Fisheries Management Plan Program  02/1994 to 12/2000

  • Fisheries Biologist, MD DNR Striped Bass Program  06/1993 to 02/1994

  • Environmental Resource Biologist, Wildlife International, Ltd., Easton, MD  02/1992 to 06/1993

  • Wildlife and Fisheries Technician, New York Department of Environmental Conservation, Stony Brook, NY       11/1991 to 02/1992

  • Environmental Resource Biologist, Wildlife International, Ltd., Easton, MD  06/1991 to 10/1991

  • Wildlife and Fisheries Technician, Adirondack Ecological Center, Newcomb, NY 05/1990 to 08/1990

Education and Certifications

  • Bachelor of Science. May 1991. State University of New York, College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY.  Major: Environmental and Forest Biology.

Affiliations and Memberships*

  • American Fisheries Society

  • Ruffed Grouse and Woodcock Society

  • The Wildlife Society

Honors and Awards

  • USGS Early Career Leadership Award (2020)

  • ASMFC Technical Contributions Annual Award

  • MD DNR Employee of the Year Award 

Science and Products

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A fish passage study on American shad.

Eastern Ecological Science Center partnership with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Collaboration between the world-class expertise of USGS scientists, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Science Program, and state and federal fishery agencies demonstrates the power of partnerships to solve seemingly-insurmountable problems in sustainable and cooperative management of Atlantic coastal fisheries.
By
Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
link

Eastern Ecological Science Center partnership with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

Collaboration between the world-class expertise of USGS scientists, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Science Program, and state and federal fishery agencies demonstrates the power of partnerships to solve seemingly-insurmountable problems in sustainable and cooperative management of Atlantic coastal fisheries.
Learn More
Teenage boy with four yellow perch caught while ice fishing on Lake Habeeb, Rocky Gap State Park, Alleghany County, Maryland
link
Ice Fishing in Alleghany County Maryland
USGS EESC water intake at Conte Research Laboratory
link
USGS EESC water intake at Conte Research Laboratory
USGS scientist, Barb Lubinski, practicing arm bandage wrap on another scientist, Kelly Maloney, as part of first aid training
link
USGS scientist, Barb Lubinski, practicing arm bandage wrap on another scientist, Kelly Maloney, as part of first aid training
USGS Leetown Science Center building surrounded by snow.
link
USGS Leetown Science Center Administration Building
link

Announcing the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center

The U.S. Geological Survey recently announced completion of the merger between the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) and Leetown Science Center...

Read Article

Science and Products

  • Science
    link
    A fish passage study on American shad.

    Eastern Ecological Science Center partnership with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

    Collaboration between the world-class expertise of USGS scientists, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Science Program, and state and federal fishery agencies demonstrates the power of partnerships to solve seemingly-insurmountable problems in sustainable and cooperative management of Atlantic coastal fisheries.
    By
    Ecosystems Mission Area, Species Management Research Program, Eastern Ecological Science Center
    link

    Eastern Ecological Science Center partnership with Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission

    Collaboration between the world-class expertise of USGS scientists, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission’s Science Program, and state and federal fishery agencies demonstrates the power of partnerships to solve seemingly-insurmountable problems in sustainable and cooperative management of Atlantic coastal fisheries.
    Learn More
  • Multimedia
    Teenage boy with four yellow perch caught while ice fishing on Lake Habeeb, Rocky Gap State Park, Alleghany County, Maryland
    link
    Ice Fishing in Alleghany County Maryland
    USGS EESC water intake at Conte Research Laboratory
    link
    USGS EESC water intake at Conte Research Laboratory
    USGS scientist, Barb Lubinski, practicing arm bandage wrap on another scientist, Kelly Maloney, as part of first aid training
    link
    USGS scientist, Barb Lubinski, practicing arm bandage wrap on another scientist, Kelly Maloney, as part of first aid training
    USGS Leetown Science Center building surrounded by snow.
    link
    USGS Leetown Science Center Administration Building
  • News
    link

    Announcing the USGS Eastern Ecological Science Center

    The U.S. Geological Survey recently announced completion of the merger between the Patuxent Wildlife Research Center (PWRC) and Leetown Science Center...

    Read Article

*Disclaimer: Listing outside positions with professional scientific organizations on this Staff Profile are for informational purposes only and do not constitute an endorsement of those professional scientific organizations or their activities by the USGS, Department of the Interior, or U.S. Government