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About Us

Meet Our Team

The Global Ocean Monitoring and Observing Program is enriched by diverse perspectives, celebrating each other’s unique experience and expertise.

Image Credit: NOAA/PMEL

Our Leadership

David Legler smiles at the camera with a blue sky and palm leaves in the background.

David Legler

Director
Jessica Snowden

Jessica Snowden

Deputy Director

Program Managers

Sandy Lucas

Arctic Program Director
Portfolio:
Arctic Research

David Allen

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Arctic Research, Cruise Coordination

Cynthia Garcia

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Arctic Research, Sea Ice, Data Management, Arctic Report Card

Emily Smith

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Argo Program, Global Sea Level Observing System Network, Gliders, Ocean Heat Products
Melissa Smuck, a woman with wavy brown hair, a red blouse, smiles at the camera.

Melissa Smuck

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Data Strategy

Ann-Christine Zinkann

Program Manager
Portfolio:
International Ocean Science

Alyse Larkin

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry, Global Sea Level Observing System, and Bio-GO-SHIP

Kathy Tedesco

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry, and XBTs

Cheyenne Stienbarger

Program Manager
Portfolio:
Ocean Observing, Extreme Events, Tropical Pacific Observing System, Capacity Building

James Todd

Program Manager
Portfolio:
OceanSITES

Communications and Education & Outreach

Jessica Mkitarian

Communications Specialist

Melissa Hiatt

Web Developer
Heather, a woman with straight, shoulder-length hair and glasses in a white blouse smiles at the camera.

Heather Heenehan

Education and Outreach Specialist

Operations & Administration

LCDR Brian E. Elliot

Operations Manager

Elizabeth Swiney

Program Administrator

Tonya Young

Administrative Officer

Knauss Fellows

Kyla Kelly

2024 Sea Grant Knauss Fellow
Portfolio:
Ocean Carbon & Biogeochemistry

Allison Lepp

2024 Sea Grant Knauss Fellow
Portfolio:
Arctic Research, Communications