Who We Are

Jacob founded Next Interior in March, 2025. He is the former Director of the Office of Policy Analysis for the U.S. Department of the Interior (Office of the Secretary - Office of Policy, Management, and Budget) and served as the acting Deputy Assistant Secretary - Policy and Environmental Management before resigning in February 2025. Early in his career, Jacob worked in the field for the Department at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Park Service in Virginia, Michigan, New Mexico, and Arizona. He also worked in the nonprofit world for nearly a decade, first as a policy analyst and then the vice president leading the Center for Conservation Innovation at Defenders of Wildlife.

When not advocating for Interior and what it delivers for the Nation, he's very likely out enjoying public lands and waters, on bike or packraft or foot, usually with family.

Interested in contributing to Next Interior? See a few of the ways you can join us. It could be as simple as signing up for our newsletter, Next Interior Memos, or more involved with volunteering or another form of partnering.

Are you a funder who is looking to invest in those who will make the Department of the Interior all it can be? As of May 2025, we're talking with 501(c)(3)s about the options that one might serve as fiscal sponsor. If and when that comes through, we will be ready to accept tax-deductible donations. 

Want to talk about some options now? Get in touch!