DMF Leadership

When Jonathan Howell began as the Director of the Division of Marine Fisheries on Oct. 26, 2026, he brought more than 22 years of experience in state environmental management with him to the office.

In those two decades, Howell worked in hazard mitigation planning and coastal regulation, including developing post-Hurricane Floyd mitigation plans and serving in the regulatory section of the Division of Coastal Management. He served in roles including assistant major permits coordinator, field representative, district manager in the Washington office, major permit coordinator, and regulatory section chief before becoming Deputy Director of that Division in January 2025.

In his capacity as Deputy Director, he helped oversee the state’s Coastal Management Program and the implementation of policies that guide development and resource protection along North Carolina’s coast. Based in Morehead City, his work focused on balancing responsible coastal development with the long-term stewardship of the state’s coastal resources.

Howell was born and raised in eastern North Carolina and has lived in the region his entire life. He has long felt a strong personal connection to the coast, returning to it throughout his life and career.

Howell holds a Bachelor of Science in business administration from Mount Olive College and a Master of Science in environmental planning from East Carolina University.

Michael S. Loeffler has been with the Division for 26 years, mostly working out of the Elizabeth City Office.  Loeffler began his career with the Division as a fisheries technician on the Striped Bass Independent Gill Net crew fishing gill nets in the Albemarle Sound.

He held this position for 3 years before advancing to a biologist position where he started a program collecting data to prepare Fishery Management Plans for the perch and catfish fisheries. His species responsibilities evolved over time to include Atlantic and shortnose sturgeon, spotted seatrout, weakfish, and coastal sharks. He also spent seven years as the lead southern flounder biologist. Loeffler was instrumental in coordinating the development of the Division’s multi-species tagging program because of his experience with conventional, acoustic, and satellite tagging.

Loeffler was promoted to biologist supervisor for the Manteo Field Office in February 2022. He became the Division’s deputy director in January 2023, then was named Interim Director in August 2026.

Loeffler’s love for water became evident when, as a small child, he ran his baby walker down a boat ramp and ended up upside down in a lake. That love grew as he spent summers sailing around Lake Huron with his parents and siblings on their 37-foot sailboat. The crystal-clear water and the history of shipwrecks spawned an interest in scuba diving which opened his eyes to the wonder of fish in their natural habitats. Loeffler attended Texas A & M University to obtain a B.S. in Marine Biology and learn everything he could about this fascinating environment.

When he is not working, Loeffler spends as much time as possible outdoors grilling, hiking, camping, swimming, boating, and landscaping with his wife, three adult children, friends, and other family. At other times, he’s planning for the next deer, duck, or turkey hunt and rigging boats and gear for future fishing adventures.