What does a typical day look like for you?

My days are highly variable depending on the season and week. Overall, I set the course and direction for sanctuary resource protection, education and outreach, and research and monitoring programs. From day-to-day, I might be overseeing operations of our Ocean Discovery Center, planning operations on our research vessel Gannet, or meeting with community leaders and partners on our programs.

What NOAA project have you enjoyed working on the most?

One of the most challenging, yet rewarding activities I have worked on at NOAA was completing multiple Endangered Species Act, Section 7 consultations with the U.S. Navy and producing biological opinions on worldwide training and testing activities to conserve and protect threatened and endangered marine mammals, sea turtles, corals, and other listed species and designated critical habitats.

How did you get to where you are now in your career?

My career has taken a nontraditional path. I started as a consulting wildlife biologist, advising private and corporate landowners on wildlife management, wetland conservation, and threatened and endangered species.

That work led to a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop the first Integrated Natural Resources Management Plan for Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina. After completing the plan, I was hired as the installation natural resources program manager, overseeing 15,000 acres of military land—my first federal civilian role and some of my best field biology memories.

I later became natural and cultural resources program manager for Air Force Space Command in Colorado Springs, leading programs at 26 installations across the continental United States, Alaska, Hawai‘i, Ascension and Antigua islands, and Greenland, as well as conservation law enforcement efforts agency-wide. My 15 years with the Air Force shaped my skills in policy, management, budgeting, and partnerships.

In 2010, I joined NOAA as a senior consultation biologist, then led the Policy, Planning, and Communications team for NOAA Fisheries’ Restoration Center.

In 2019, I was honored to become superintendent of Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary—bringing me full circle back to place-based conservation.

Why do you think your work matters—to the ocean, to science, or to the public?

I am a firm believer in public service and good governance when it comes to nature and our environment. For example, our natural resources should be managed for the public good at all levels (federal, state, local), and by communities in a sustainable manner. This helps ensure environmental and ecological processes remain intact and in a healthy condition to support viable habitats and ecosystems, including those necessary for human existence and prosperity. My work is only a small part of the big picture, but collectively, we all can make a difference.