Dave Wegner has a background in biology and geomorphology specializing in river basin management. He worked for the US Bureau of Reclamation during his early career and led the Glen Canyon Environmental Studies (GCES) program from 1982- 1996, which was the precursor to the Glen Canyon Dam Adaptive Management Program (GCDAMP). Wegner was instrumental in integrating the adaptive management concept into the Grand Canyon Protection Act of 1992 and what became the GCDAMP. While working at USBR, Wegner interacted frequently with federal legislators and their staff. After leaving USBR he became a private consultant. From 2009-2014 he held staff leadership positions on the U.S. House of Representatives Water and Power Subcommittee and Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.