I lead data management activities for NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey (NGS), ensuring our scientific, technical, and geospatial data and affiliated metadata are created, maintained, archived, and accessible to the public. This requires providing expertise on major data-related initiatives through NGS. I maintain or develop internal and external partnerships to further improve data products or services, and serve as our representative on various National Ocean Service (NOS) and NOAA committees and working groups, and collaborate with the NOS ACDO. I then communicate back to the office the effects of existing or new policies discussed with those entities. This all leads to our datasets conforming to industry standards such as the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), the Open Geospatial Consortium (OGC), and the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC).

Oceanographer at Center for Operational Oceanographic Products & Services (CO-OPS) within NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS). Member of the Stakeholders Services Branch, where we use our expertise in physical oceanography and tide characteristics to assist anyone who works in the maritime industry, academia, or just from the general public who use our data. Serve in the Data Services role to ensure our data are findable and usable by users. Also archive our data at NOAA's data center (NCEI). Previously served as technical lead for real-time ADCP instruments used for national Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System (PORTS®) program for mariners and harbor pilots around the country.

Search and Rescue Satellite-Aided Tracking (SARSAT). Represented NOAA (and NESDIS) on interagency & international working groups, incorporating 406 MHz frequency distress beacons (EPIRBs, ELTs and PLBs for marine, aviation and personal use), supporting IMO and ICAO activities. Conducted media interviews for radio, TV and aviation and maritime magazines, including for high profile accidents. Assisted NTSB in investigations. Coordinated with NASA, USCG, USAF and other NOAA components, and interfaced with beacon manufacturers.

Operations Officer, NOAA Ship Ka'imimoana, a 224’ ship supporting the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) Program. Coordinated diverse members of deck, survey and science departments. Certified firefighter, orchestrating firefighting and medical teams during emergencies and drills. Managed safety practices for operations and created risk management system. Stood deck officer watches, maneuvering/navigating vessel, frequently with gear alongside or astern of ship.

Operations Officer, NOAA Ship Rude, a 90’ ship supporting NOAA/NOS Office of Coast Survey (OCS) hydrographic/bathymetric program. Operated SONAR equipment for shallow water seafloor mapping. Oversaw surveys in lower Chesapeake Bay and Cape Canaveral. Coordinated diverse members of deck and survey departments. Managed and ensured resilience of the hydrographic data. Maneuvered/navigated vessel, including while scientific gear was alongside/astern.

Member of NOAA/NOS/OCS Hydrographic Systems and Technology Program. Provided technical support for various NOAA hydrographic vessels and offices. Analyzed bathymetric SONAR system effectiveness within the fleet and assisted with modernization. Orchestrated acceptance tests of SONAR system aboard NOAA NMFS vessel and three new Navigation Response Team vessels used to conduct surveys in harbors after disasters. Sailed frequently with NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson.

Ensign/LT(jg), NOAA Officer Training (3 months), and 2 1/2 years aboard NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown. Served as deck officer for NOAA’s largest vessel, a 274’ ship supporting offshore oceanographic and atmospheric research. As certified firefighter, managed damage control program, orchestrated weekly drills and maintained firefighting & damage control equipment. Maneuvered/navigated vessel for multiple Panama Canal transits, and routinely maneuvered ship while scientific gear was alongside or astern. Ship equipped with Z-drives and DP.

Six years aboard 3 Coast Guard ships, including 2 years navigating a buoy tender in the Inside Passage of Alaska, and 3 years navigating a Polar Class icebreaker. Aboard the icebreaker, supported oceanographic research, and performed duties as ice pilot while escorting oil tankers and dry-goods supply ships through ice channels to Thule Air Base in Greenland, and McMurdo Station, Antarctica (Operation Deep Freeze). Made 2 trips to Greenland (transited the NW Passage on one trip), and 2 trips to Antarctica. Served as master helmsman for 3 Panama Canal transits. Proficient in both terrestrial and celestial navigation. Learned deck seamanship and shipboard firefighting during first year of service.