Rick Jacobson

Rick Jacobson joined the Northeast Region in March 2022 as the Assistant Regional Director for Fish and Aquatic Conservation. Rick was previously the Natural Resources Bureau Chief for the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, where he led the agency’s Fisheries, Forestry, and Wildlife divisions. 

Rick started his career as a technician with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and returned to the agency with many years of experience in natural resources conservation and fish and wildlife-dependent recreation. At CT DEEP, Rick progressed from Assistant Division Director of Inland Fisheries to Wildlife Division Director to Bureau Chief. Through these roles, Rick has focused on building and maintaining positive relationships with partners, stakeholders, and government officials; inspiring and directing scientific and technical professional staff; and leading strategic planning and decision-making at state and regional scales.  

He has served in various leadership positions with the American Fisheries Society, and as chair of the Northeast Wildlife Administrators Association, the Atlantic Flyway Council and the Atlantic Coast Joint Venture. He also serves on the Executive Committee of the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies. He has a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Wisconsin at La Crosse, a master’s degree in natural resources conservation from the University of Connecticut (UConn), and is pursuing a doctoral degree in natural resources conservation at UConn.  

Rick grew up in Wisconsin and is a dedicated Packer fan, an avid bird dog trainer, and enjoys all things outdoors. He is married and the proud father of two daughters.