The Pacific Northwest & Alaska Gateway region encompasses one of the largest areas in the United States to include the states of Alaska, Oregon, and Washington as well as for reporting purposes, commercial activity in Western Canada stretching from the Arctic and the Alberta Oil Sands to the Northwest Territories and British Columbia.

This region includes over one hundred ports, the largest ferry system in the United States (Washington State Ferry System), the longest ferry system in the country (Alaska Marine Highway System), the homeport for the largest fishing fleet in the U.S. (Seattle), the Gateway to the Arctic, and a major marine route for domestic crude (Valdez, Alaska to Puget Sound). 

The Gateway Director serves as an expert on all regional and local maritime issues to include ferry systems, port infrastructure development, marine highways, and strategic seaports. The Director also engages on federal maritime emergency preparedness issues in the region. In addition to coordinating with the private sector, the Director also serves as the Agency regional liaison to Federal, state and local government agencies.