A. Marc Commandatore 

has spent his 24 years as a state scientist solving challenges to terrestrial and aquatic species and connecting people to the environment in California. The better part of the 2000’s he worked with commercial shellfish operations in Morro Bay, Point Reyes, Tomales Bay, Santa Barbara, Humboldt Bay, and Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Now he runs the California Department of Water Resources Fish Passage Improvement Program. For the past five years he has been leading that program with his high performing team of scientists and engineers working on fish passage at high dams, in the flood system, and small tributaries to the Central Valley. He continues to bring his passion for creating thriving partnerships and building diverse collations through his collaborative leadership skills.