• Doug was born and raised in Carteret County, North Carolina.  Growing up, Doug worked on menhaden boats with his Uncle Wiley and on charter boats in Morehead City.
• Doug attended East Carolina University in Greenville, NC.
• Doug was hired as a fisheries technician at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1965. 
• He was originally employed by the Lab’s Menhaden Program to tag and sample Atlantic menhaden at fish factories on Long Island (NY) and at Port Monmouth (NJ) and Cape Charles and Reedville (VA).

Dr. Doug Wolfe, a highly accomplished scientist, dedicated several years of his career to the Beaufort Laboratory, making significant contributions as a Chemist/Fishery Biologist. Born and raised in Ohio, he nurtured a deep fascination for the natural world from a young age. Doug pursued his academic aspirations at Ohio State University, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Zoology and later a Graduate degree in Biochemistry. In 1964, Doug joined the Beaufort Lab.

William, born and raised in Ohio, embarked on an academic journey that laid the foundation for his remarkable career. He obtained his Bachelor's degree from Duke University in 1960, marking the beginning of his pursuit of knowledge. Not long after, he furthered his education by earning a Master's degree in statistics from the University of North Carolina, followed by a Ph.D. from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Don Hoss, hailing from Mexico, Missouri, has devoted a significant portion of his life to the field of fisheries. His educational journey began at the University of Missouri, where he obtained a Bachelor's degree in Fisheries. Don joined the Beaufort Laboratory in 1958 as a Fishery Biologist, embarking on a long and fruitful career that would span over four decades. He obtained a Master's degree from North Carolina State University in 1966, followed by a Ph.D. in 1971.

Dr. Gordon Thayer, a renowned Fishery Biologist, has made substantial contributions to the field of fisheries research and management. He obtained a Master's degree from the University of Delaware and later pursued his Ph.D. at North Carolina State University. In 1968, Gordon joined the Beaufort Lab, where he dedicated over three decades to the study of fisheries. Gordon was instrumental in establishing the Seagrass Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the late 1960s, contributing to the preservation and conservation of seagrass habitats. Dr.

Dr. Percival “Perce” Powles, is a professor emeritus at Trent University in Peterborough, Ontario, Canada. He received his Ph. D. in biology from McGill University in Montreal. Perce retired from Trent University in 1995. Perce’s interest in ichthyology focused on the early life history of freshwater and marine fishes. In 1985, he became acquainted with Stan Warlen of the Beaufort Laboratory and the Lab’s work with daily growth rings deposited on the otoliths, or earstones, of marine fishes.

Stan, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, developed an interest in the natural world from an early age. This passion led him to pursue higher education, and in 1962, he received his Bachelor's degree from the University of Missouri. Stan continued his academic journey and obtained his Master's degree from the University of Delaware in 1964. In 1965, Stan came to work for the Beaufort Laboratory, where he made significant contributions to the field of marine ecology. Initially employed with the Menhaden Program, he played a crucial role in managing fishery-dependent data collection.

On May 7, 2011, Joseph Smith interviewed Eldon Levi for the NOAA Beaufort Lab Oral Histories project in Pensacola, Florida. Eldon was born and raised in California. He served in the U.S. Army overseas. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Management from San Jose State University in the mid-1960s. Eldon was initially employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries at field stations in Alaska and Michigan.

• Received his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1965
• Did post-doctoral work at the University of Miami 1966-1967
• Employed at the Beaufort Laboratory in 1967, initially with the Menhaden Program
• Established the Reef Fish Program at the Beaufort Laboratory in the early 1970s, studying life histories of the snapper-grouper complex of fishes along the U.S.

• Born in Beaufort, NC; raised on Pivers Island (site of the Beaufort Laboratory)
• Herb’s father, Dr. Herbert Prythrech, was Director of the Beaufort Laboratory, 1933-1949
• Graduated from East Carolina University and also served in the US Army
• Worked for the NMFS, formerly the U.S. Bureau of Commercial Fisheries, as a port agent and fishery reporting specialist in TX, SC, GA, and Miami; retired from NMFS in 1994