Director of Science Operations
john.schmerfeld@briwildlife.org
804-725-8111

John recently retired from the 34+ years of federal service. His portfolio of experience has included several executive-level positions with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; most recently serving as the Senior Climate Advisor for the agency. His leadership work focused primarily on the development of policy and guidance that provide direction to Department of Interior priorities on climate science, landscape conservation, Nature Based Solutions, adaptive management, and Indigenous knowledges. John began his USFWS career in the Honolulu field office, later moving to the Virginia field office. In headquarters, John has held leadership positions in the USFWS private lands, coastal, fisheries, refuge system, and science applications programs for the past 12 years.

John joined BRI in 2024 and will help the organzation continue to hone and implement its compelling vision for the future. He has proven experience in managing and directing environmental research programs, and seasoned leadership and people skills. He will utilize his training and experience to lead multidisciplinary teams in the pursuit of scientific discovery and innovation in key focal areas such as toxicology, renewable energy, biodiversity, carbon projects, and other issue-driven topics.

• University of Huston, 1995 – M.S. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
• University of Huston, 1992 – B.S. Biology, Biochemistry Minor
• Pennsylvania State University, 1982 – A.D. Electrical Engineering

Certifications:

• Advanced Leadership Development Program
• Structured Decision Making
• Team Effectiveness Training
• Complex Environmental Negotiations
• Natural Resource Damage Assessment and Restoration
• Incident Command System

• Employee Professional Development
• Team Building
• Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation
• Ecology and Evolutionary Biology