The Board of Directors of the Hood Canal Coordinating Council (HCCC) is excited to announce their hiring of David Dicks as HCCC’s new Executive Director.
David has a deep passion for protecting and restoring Hood Canal stemming from spending every summer of his childhood swimming, fishing, and crabbing on this unique fjord. His connection to the Canal spurred David to become an environmental lawyer focusing on Puget Sound and Hood Canal restoration, salmon recovery, environmental mitigation, Clean Water Act disputes and hazardous waste clean-ups.
David has helped clients across the West achieve major successes and was selected by his peers for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America in 2007 and 2008, before leaving the practice of law to become the inaugural Executive Director of the Puget Sound Partnership from 2007-2010. In that role he was instrumental in the start-up of the new state agency and the development of the first Puget Sound Action Agenda – the science based and prioritized roadmap for Puget Sound cleanup and recovery. After returning to legal practice he played a major role in the cleanup of Port Gamble Bay. Recently, he played a key role in the permitting and development of the Blue Heron Slough restoration project in Everett. The project restores 357 acres of former farmland to estuary habitat that is crucial for the recovery of threatened Chinook salmon. Further details of that project available at: – https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/puget-sound-salmon-habitat-restored-with-tribes-leading-the-way/
David’s success stems from his deep understanding of environmental law and policy, and his ability to work effectively with scientists, governmental agencies, and Native American Tribes to craft durable and scientifically based solutions to environmental problems. He is excited to join the staff and Board at the HCCC as we work to protect and restore the ecological gem that is Hood Canal.
David received his BA in political science with honors from Stanford University and his JD and Environmental Law Certificate from UC Berkeley’s School of Law. He was an Affiliate Associate Professor in the School of Marine and Environmental Affairs at the University of Washington from 2013-2021.
Please join HCCC in welcoming our new Executive Director.