In May of 2006, Tom Melius assumed his duties as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Alaska Regional Director. Tom brings a broad range of experience to this position, both within the Service and without. This background has left him well qualified to deal with the unique challenges and opportunities of providing stewardship for the vast lands and fascinating species under the Service’s management in the Last Frontier.

Tom served as Assistant Director for External Affairs in the Washington Office from March 2003 until his appointment to the Alaska Regional Director post. While doing so, he oversaw the national programs for Public Affairs, Congressional and Legislative Affairs, and the office of the Native American Liaison. He also provided oversight to the Service's National Conservation Training Center located in Shepherdstown, West Virginia.

Prior to his time in External Affairs, Tom served as Assistant Director for Migratory Birds and State Programs. In that position he developed policy, advised the Directorate, and served as its representative on issues relating to the conservation and management of migratory birds, implementation of the North American Waterfowl Management Plan and wetlands programs, Federal duck stamps, Federal grant programs, and conservation partnerships. He was responsible for, and directed, the offices of Migratory Bird Management, Bird Habitat Conservation, Conservation Partnership Liaison, and Federal Aid.

From July 1997 to October 1998, Tom was the Director of Conservation Policy and Senior Advisor at the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation.

Between January of 1995 and June of 1997, Tom was a Senior Professional Staff member on the U.S. Senate's Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, where he formulated policy for fishery management with the National Marine Fisheries Service and the U.S. Coast Guard; and for coastal programs with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also advised the Committee on international conservation matters involving wildlife trade, marine mammals, and endangered species.

From 1985 to 1995, Tom was a Professional Staff member on the Committee on Merchant Marine and Fisheries in the U.S. House of Representatives. There he advised the Committee on issues concerning fish and wildlife legislation. He developed policy statements, amendments, and legislative proposals concerning environmental laws such as: Endangered Species Act; Marine Mammal Protection Act; Coastal Barrier Resources Act; Migratory Bird Treaty Act; National Wildlife Refuge System; Federal Aid in Wildlife Restoration Act; Federal Aid in Sport Fisheries Act, and the Duck Stamp Act. He coordinated with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, Indian Tribal Commissions, and national conservation organizations on policy development.

In 1973 and 1975, Tom earned his B.S. degree in Wildlife Biology and a M.S. degree in Fish and Wildlife Science from South Dakota State University.