Originally from New Bern, Jacob has always had a passion for the coast. Previously, he worked for the N.C. Division of Marine Fisheries for 17 years in multiple roles including as the protected species biologist and most recently serving as the chief of the Habitat and Enhancement Section since 2018. Jacob has served critical roles in several state initiatives including the updated N.C. Coastal Habitat Protection Plan, the 2020 North Carolina Climate Risk Assessment and Resilience Plan, and the 2020 Natural and Working Lands Action Plan, as well as serving on the NC Department of Environmental Quality Interagency Resilience Team. Jacob holds a master’s degree in biology from East Carolina University and a bachelor’s degree in Environmental Studies from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill.