Director's Office

Carl Gouldman, Director (Federal)
Email: carl.gouldman@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9454
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Implementation of the ICOOS Act
  • NOAA representative to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC)
  • U.S. Representative and Chair to the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS) Regional Alliances Council
  • National Ocean Service senior lead for NOAA Water team
  • Congressional visits and legislative engagement

Krisa Arzayus, Ph.D., Deputy Director (Federal)
Email: krisa.arzayus@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9455
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Program planning and execution
  • Compliance with NOS guidelines and policies (e.g., safety, awards, IT, personnel)
  • Program office risk management
  • Designated Federal Official (DFO) for the U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee
  • Federal employee performance management (pay pool manager)

LCDR Aaron Colohan, NOAA Corps, Chief of Staff (Federal)
Email: aaron.d.colohan@noaa.gov   Tel: ‪(251) 207-1020‬
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Project improvements lead
  • IOOS Leadership decision tracking
  • Strategic analysis of policy, planning, and execution

Laura (Griesbauer) Gewain, Executive Assistant to the Director (ISS)
Email: laura.gewain@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9456
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Director's and Deputy Director calendars
  • Director and Deputy Director travel
  • Director and Deputy Director correspondence
  • Staff support to the Director for International Activities, GOOS, and AmeriGEOSS
  • Manage IOOS Social Media channels
  • Staff support to Director and Deputy projects
  • Special projects as assigned by the Director and Deputy

Amira Ofosu-Garrison, Office Manager (ISS)
Email: amira.ofosu-garrison@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 649-0844
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Information and Federal Records Management
  • IOOS meeting coordination and support
  • Travel Planning
  • IT Coordination
  • Safety and Facilities Management

Ralph Rayner, U.S. IOOS Industry Liaison (London School of Economics) (Consultant)
Email: ralph@ralphrayner.com
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Project Lead for Benefits of Ocean Observing Catalog (BOOC)
  • Project support for the Ocean Enterprise Study
  • Global Partnerships, connecting IOOS with GeoBlue Planet, Copernicus, IMOS, etc.

Operations Division

Derrick Snowden, Division Chief (Federal)
Email: derrick.snowden@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9467
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supervision and oversight of the Operations Division
  • Lead the Operations Division's efforts to establish and maintain the national IOOS system, including managing the Observing System, Modeling, and Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure portfolios
  • NOS Representative on the NOAA Modeling Team
  • NOS Representative to the Science Advisory Board, Environmental Information Services Working Group

Operations Division, Data and Products Branch

Becky Baltes, Branch Chief (Federal)
Email: becky.baltes@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9469
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Provide oversight and management of the Data and Products Branch
  • Oversee Marine Life and Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure programs which plan and manage projects to collect and disseminate physical, chemical, and biological oceanographic data
  • Lead IOOS office strategic planning, and program and process improvement
  • NOS representative to NOAA Observing System Committee

Mathew Biddle, Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) Community Manager (Federal)
Email: mathew.biddle@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9470
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • IOOS POC for NCEI data archival
  • Marine Life DMAC lead
  • IOOS representative to the NOAA NOS Data Governance Board
  • Chair of the ERDDAP Strategic Insight Group
  • Manage DMAC Community of Practice including regional data manager engagement, organizing annual meetings/code sprints, and technology/communication platforms including IOOS GitHub, ioos_tech forum, Google Summer of Code, and Slack workspace
  • Promote and communicate IOOS data products and services through management of the IOOS CodeLab

Laura Brenskelle, Ph.D., Data Management and Product Developer (ISS)
Email: laura.brenskelle@noaa.gov   Tel: (828) 419-1121
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Data standardization for biological observing methods
  • Engagement with the Regional Associations, Marine Biodiversity Observation Network (MBON), and Animal Telemetry Network (ATN) communities
  • DMAC project support

Gabrielle Canonico, Marine Life Program Manager (Federal)
Email: gabrielle.canonico@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9452
Programmatic Responsibilities:

Hassan Moustahfid, Ph.D., Senior Marine Biologist (Federal)
Email: hassan.moustahfid@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9468
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Scientific and technical liaison for marine biological and ecosystem programs
  • Building partnerships between biological and ecosystem programs in IOOS Enterprise and with international partners
  • Advance and promote emerging technologies (including Artificial Intelligence, biomolecular and advanced acoustic technologies)

Micah Wengren, Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure (DMAC) System Architect (Federal)
Email: micah.wengren@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9441
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Manage the IOOS Data Management and Cyberinfrastructure Program and DMAC Community of Practice: regional data manager engagement, annual meetings/code sprints, and technology/communication platforms including IOOS GitHub, ioos_tech forum, Google Summer of Code, and Slack workspace
  • Manage National-scale DMAC cloud cyberinfrastructure and data management implementation with support from IOOS’ partners
  • Functional POC for cloud computing, cloud data management, and geospatial/GIS activities
  • NOAA Data Governance Committee workgroup representative: NOAA Catalog, NOAA Enterprise Metadata, and Open Geospatial Consortium

Operations Division, Observation and Prediction Branch

Kathleen Bailey, Branch Chief (Federal)
Email: kathleen.bailey@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9449
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supervision and oversight of the Observation and Prediction Branch
  • Oversee programs that plan, manage, collect and disseminate oceanographic observations, and programs that develop ocean predictions using numerical circulation models
  • Provide leadership and support to ensure user needs are met with ocean observation and modeling products
  • Oversight of the IOOS partnership with the National Data Buoy Center, and the IOOS-NDBC Service Level Agreement
  • Project point of contact for IOOS gliders, regional water level observing, and moorings

Zack Baize, Ocean Enterprise Program Manager (Federal)
Email: zack.baize@noaa.gov
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Support NOS New Blue Economy activities
  • Program Manager for Ocean Enterprise Accelerators
  • Support NOAA environmental economics activities and ocean enterprise studies

Michael Lalime, NOS Coastal Cloud Sandbox Project Manager (ISS)
Email: michael.lalime@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 964-1232
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supports IOOS coastal modeling cloud sandbox development and testing
  • Stakeholder outreach planning and engagement for coastal ocean modeling
  • Project management support for IOOS modeling projects

Sarina Mann, Physical Scientist & Project Management Support (ISS)
Email: sarina.mann@noaa.gov   Tel: (301) 569-2089
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Provide project management support for the DMAC portfolio including:
    • HFRNet migration to the NESDIS Common Cloud Framework
    • IOOS Catalog
    • IOOS Glider DAC
    • QARTOD

Tiffany C. Vance, Ph.D., Ocean Technology Transition, HABs and Cloud Sandbox Programs/Projects Manager (Federal)
Email: tiffany.c.vance@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9445
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Ocean Technology Transition (OTT) Program Manager
  • Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Program Manager
  • Transition Manager for the Pacific Northwest HAB Bulletin and IOOS representative to the HAB Tech Team and the Ecosystem Forecasting Roadmap Tech Team
  • Federal Lead for the IOOS cloud computing sandbox for ocean models
  • Functional POC for geospatial, cloud computing, and GIS activities
  • IOOS co-lead for biogeochemical, ocean acidification, and HAB related data
  • DMAC Project Manager Environmental Sensor Map
  • DMAC implementation and architecture

Breanna Vanderplow, Ph.D., Ocean Prediction Coordinator (ISS)
Email: breanna.vanderplow@noaa.gov   Tel: (410) 541-6446
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Liaison to support modeling efforts of the Regional Associations including service delivery and requirements management
  • Facilitate community modeling and use of a cloud modeling platform to improve model code transitions
  • Coastal and Ocean Modeling Testbed Program support
  • NOS Modeling Portfolio support in managing products for data acquisition of coastal model forcings, visualization and dissemination of model output, task management, and organization of open source code repositories
  • Hurricane Glider support through tracking and reporting storms and glider-model data comparisons
  • Assist in managing technical issues and new layer implementations into the IOOS Model Viewer
  • Water level and waves project liaison facilitating data flow to models through the National Data Buoy Center

Brian Zelenke, Surface Currents Program Manager (Federal)
Email: brian.zelenke@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9440
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Program and Technical Lead for the U.S. HF-Radar network
  • Stakeholder management for coastal circulation observing and product development
  • Point of Contact for radio frequency allocation issues
  • Manage the HF-Radar Data Assembly Center
  • Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR)

Regions, Budget, and Policy Division

Dave Easter, Division Chief (Federal)
Email: dave.easter@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9453
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • U.S. IOOS implementation and program development
  • IOOS Regional Coordination
  • IOOS business manager

Kate Culpepper, Communications Specialist (Federal)
Email: kate.culpepper@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9457
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Communications (e.g., press releases, media events, outreach materials)
  • Education & outreach activities
  • Coordination with NOAA Public Affairs, NOS Communications and Education Division, IOOS Association Education and Outreach Council, and external communications contacts

Nicholas Dawson, Program Analyst for Grants and Regional Coordination (ISS)
Email: nick.dawson@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 367-4148
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supporting the administration of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law cooperative agreements
  • Coordinating efforts and fostering relationships with the IOOS Regions, IOOS Association, interagency partners
  • Assisting with coordination of observing system assets with partners
  • Technical support for environmental compliance

Becca Derex, Legislative Affairs Lead (Federal)
Email: becca.derex@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9462
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Legislative Affairs Lead
  • Budget Formulation Lead
  • Planning and Performance Management
  • Requirements management
  • Supports reporting as required by the ICOOS Act

Courtney Edwards, Regional Coordination and Advisory Committee Support (ISS)
Email: courtney.edwards@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 936-5742
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Regional Association project coordination and tracking
  • Support U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee
  • Support administration of IOOS cooperative agreements and RCOS certification

Alejandra Enriquez, Environmental Compliance Program Analyst (ISS)
Email: alejandra.enriquez@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 936-5840
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supporting the administration of Bipartisan Infrastructure Law cooperative agreements
  • Coordinating efforts and fostering relationships with the IOOS Regions, IOOS Association, interagency partners
  • Assisting with coordination of observing system assets with partners
  • Environmental compliance support

Susan Fox, Regional Coordinator (Federal)
Email: susan.fox@noaa.gov   Tel: (843) 481-0288
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Lead for Regional Association coordination for GCOOS, GLOS, NANOOS, PacIOOS, and SECOORA
  • Monitor and provide technical oversight of Regional Association cooperative agreements
  • Coordinate NOAA to Regional Association engagement

Justin Franks, Webmaster (ISS) (Consultant)
Email: justin.franks@noaa.gov
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Assist with web site maintenance, issues, and updates
  • Collaborate with Communications team to add new site content
  • Ensure functionality and efficiency of site

Rosa González, Environmental Compliance Coordinator (Federal)
Email: rosa.gonzalez@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 621-1911
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Coordinates with staff environmental compliance reviews for IOOS authorized, funded, and conducted activities

Rhyan Grech, Program Analyst for Regional Coordination (ISS)
Email: rhyan.grech@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 639-8656
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Regional Association project coordination and tracking
  • Support NOAA to Regional Association engagement
  • Support communications

Maria Murray, Regional Coordinator (Federal)
Email: maria.murray@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 936-6114
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Lead for Regional Association coordination for AOOS, CARICOOS, CeNCOOS, MARACOOS, NERACOOS, SCCOOS
  • Monitor and provide technical oversight of Regional Association cooperative agreements
  • Coordinate NOAA to Regional Association engagement

Mary Solokas, Program Management Support (ISS)
Email: mary.solokas@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 964-1193
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Supports IOOS program and process improvement
  • Supports IOOS office strategic planning, including implementation and metrics and milestone tracking
  • Supports the Hurricane Glider Program, monitoring Navy glider data flow and tracking glider metrics
  • Office co-lead for data call response and tracking

RB&P, Business Branch

Kelly Jasion, Business Branch Chief (Federal)
Email: kelly.jasion@noaa.gov   Tel: (240) 533-9465
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Lead for budget execution and financial management
  • Human Resources Liaison, coordinates hiring actions
  • Manages transfers and receipt of funds to other NOAA offices

Jennifer Hinden, Grants and Contracts Manager (Federal)
Email: jennifer.hinden@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 936-5991
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Federal Acquisition Certification Contracting Officer Representative
  • Grant management and cooperative agreements
  • Trusted Agent

Charmaine Jones, Financial Management Specialist (Federal)
Email: charmaine.jones@noaa.gov   Tel: (202) 936-5387
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Budget execution and financial management
  • Lead for transfers and receipt of funds to and from other NOAA offices
  • Travel budget approver

Izella Murry, Program Analyst (ISS)
Email: izella.murry@noaa.gov   Tel: (305) 699-5124
Programmatic Responsibilities:

  • Grant management and cooperative agreement administrative support
  • Support office evaluation activities