WASHINGTON (09/18/06) -- Ren Lohoefener has been named Regional Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Pacific Region, which includes Idaho, Oregon, Washington, Hawaii and the Pacific Islands.

Lohoefener assumes the position that was held by David B. Allen, who retired in August.

"I am very pleased to be in the Pacific Region. The Service has a great workforce and the Region has some of the Service's most exciting and challenging conservation opportunities," Lohoefener said. "I believe that collaboration is essential to all conservation efforts and I look forward to working with our partners."

Lohoefener, 56, joined the Fish and Wildlife Service in 1989 after working for six years as an ecologist for the National Marine Fisheries Service. Before that, he was a Research Associate and Adjunct Professor at Mississippi State University. Since joining the Fish and Wildlife Service, Lohoefener has been a field biologist, the agency's Texas State Administrator and Assistant Regional Director of the agency's Southwest Region. While in the Southwest, he worked with 11 National Wildlife Refuges, four National Fish Hatcheries, two Fisheries Management offices and the Ecological Services program. Immediately prior to assuming responsibilities in the Pacific Northwest, he was an Assistant Director in the Washington Office.

A native of Kansas, Lohoefener received his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees from Fort Hays State University in Kansas and his Doctorate degree from Mississippi State University. He is a veteran of the U.S. Army.