Before joining the NOAA Commissioned Corps for BOTC 120, ENS Roxanne Carter served as Division Director of Coastal and Marine Services for a company in the private sector. She lead and trained observation teams of approximately 20 scientists enforcing compliance of the Marine Mammal Protection Act and Endangered Species Act for marine construction projects by the US Army Corps of Engineers along the entire US Eastern Coastline, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Ocean. ENS Carter holds a Bachelors of Science in marine biology with a minor in oceanography, and a Master's of Science in environmental marine ecology from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, VA. She earned a Geographic Information System Certification for Spatial Analysis of Coastal Environments in 2004. She is NAUI open water scuba certified and is Hazwoper certified. She is a NMFS approved trawl supervisor as well as an endangered species observer.
Ms. Carter has worked in an internationally recognized fisheries laboratory collecting and processing fish for age and growth analysis. She has published numerous articles and presentations and has been sought for consultation in her field. She has received accolades for her volunteer contributions to the Southeastern Virginia community for environmental education and protection projects and feeding those in need. ENS Carter served as a local organizer for a national coastal clean-up project over the last five years.
ENS Carter looks forward to serving as a NOAA Corps officer and assisting scientific research in marine sanctuaries, marine mammals and sea turtles. She is greatly honored to be selected for NOAA and is looking forward to proudly serving her country and the scientific community as a NOAA Corps officer.
Ensign Carmen R. De FazioEnsign Carmen R. De Fazio reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin her basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign De Fazio participated on two research cruises—one after the completion of each degree. In 2010, she measured chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) for 38 days in the South Pacific for a CLIVAR P6 cruise. In 2007, she served as a CTD watchstander and processed salinity samples during the 41-day Pacific Coastal Carbon Cruise for PMEL, NOAA. During these cruises Ensign De Fazio realized that her desire to drive ships was as great as her enthusiasm for scientific discovery. Ensign De Fazio learned about NOAA Corps in January of 2012 through a casual conversation with a running buddy and had accepted her selection only five months later.
Ensign De Fazio completed a Master's Degree in Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences in 2009 from UCLA. Her master's thesis compared observed tidal variability in the Southern California Bight to UCLA Regional Ocean Model Simulation (ROMS) outputs and offered cross-shore energy flux calculations for the region. Ensign De Fazio graduated from University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA) in 2007 with a Bachelor of Sciences in Atmospheric, Oceanic and Environmental Sciences with a minor in Mathematics. During undergraduate studies, Ensign De Fazio was a Naval Reserve Officer Training Command (NROTC) midshipman serving in battalion billets to include Battalion Operations Officer and Battalion Executive Officer. During the duration of her education at UCLA, Ensign De Fazio worked as a student researcher and participated in numerous projects and assignments to include the Santa Monica Bay Observatory Time-Series; Pacific Coast Hypoxia Time Series Analysis Project; Santa Monica Bay Diurnal Experiments; Mooring Recovery, Maintenance, and Deployment; DIC and Alkalinity Laboratory measurements; and SOMMA maintenance and refurbishment.
Ensign De Fazio holds a PADI Advanced Open Water SCUBA Certification and is Certified in First Aid / CPR / AED. She is interested in working for the Marine Sanctuaries and becoming both MPIC and NOAA Diver Certified. Ensign De Fazio would like to be the first NOAA Corps Officer to Attend Naval War College. Ensign De Fazio will be serving her first assignment on the NOAA Ship Nancy Foster and is excited to continue her seagoing training.
Ensign Louis H. HoockEnsign Louis H. Hoock reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin his basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. He has been assigned to report on board the Oscar Elton Sette upon completion of Basic Officer Training Class 120. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Hoock was the Executive Director and Skipper for Coastal Footprint, leading a crew of 41 people from Alaska to Panama picking up 22,700 pounds of marine debris on a 26 foot sailboat.
Ensign Hoock graduated from the University of Alaska Southeast in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science, and a certificate in Outdoor Skills and Leadership. He has had a lifelong interest in the ocean and science. While attending school at the University of Alaska Southeast, Ensign Hoock became familiar with NOAA.
Ensign Hoock has had advanced training as a Wilderness Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-b), Swift Water Rescue Technician (SRT1), and in Technical Rope Rescue, Glacier Travel / Crevasse Rescue and Mountain Rescue. His personal interests include sailing, exploring the most remote regions on Earth, and making the world a better place through environmental understanding driven by science.
Ensign Sean M. LuisEnsign Sean Luis reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on August 18th, 2012 to begin his basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Luis was an intern fisheries biologist working for the United States Geological Survey's Marrowstone Marine Field Station, a remote field station in Nordland, WA supporting the Western Fisheries Research Center. Prior to working for the USGS, he worked as a student aquaculture technician for the Department of Biological Structure at the University of Washington's Zebrafish Laboratory.
Ensign Luis graduated from the University of Washington in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Aquatic and Fishery Sciences and a minor in Marine Biology. Ensign Luis has had an interest in marine science since a young age and has thoroughly enjoyed his experiences thus far in the lab, the field and in the classroom. His senior year at the University of Washington, he designed and managed a research project involving the testing of physiological tolerances of invasive tunicates in Puget Sound, WA in order to develop a small-scale eradication method with the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife. Ensign Luis has also participated in several subtidal ecology research projects as a scientific diving technician for the University of Washingon's Friday Harbor Marine Laboratory. He is passionate about marine science education and outreach and has volunteered at the Seattle Aquarium as a diver and interpreter.
Ensign Luis' other areas of expertise include being a PADI certified divemaster and an AAUS Scientific Diver. He is an avid diver and has extensively explored the cold, murky waters of the Puget Sound region as a researcher, instructor, student and SCUBA enthusiast. Ensign Luis hopes to earn his NOAA working diver certification and offer his skills and experience as a NOAA Corps officer. His other interests include guitar, singing/songwriting, sailing, hiking, woodworking, traveling, cooking and spending quality time with friends and family.
Ensign David A. McVayEnsign David A. McVay Jr. reported to the NOAA Basic Officer Training Class 120 on 18 August, 2012 to begin his basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign McVay was stationed at Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh as a Marine Science Technician in the United States Coast Guard. Prior to serving at Marine Safety Unit Pittsburgh he served as a Seaman on the medium endurance cutter Decisive out of Pascagoula, MS.
Ensign McVay graduated from Columbia Southern University in 2011 with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management. He has had a strong interest in marine resource management since his exposure to the maritime industry through his service in the Coast Guard. Ensign McVay wants to help improve America's utilization and conservation of marine resources through his service in the NOAA Corps.
Ensign McVay has experience in pollution response and was a qualified federal pollution investigator while serving in the Coast Guard. He has conducted and responded to multiple pollution investigations and incidents in the greater Pittsburgh area. Ensign McVay also served as a field observer and vessel decontamination examiner during the Deepwater Horizon response. He is interested in a variety of NOAA missions and billets including: fisheries research, scientific support coordination, and national marine sanctuaries.
Ensign Stephen F. MoultonEnsign Stephen F. Moulton reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin his basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Moulton worked for Boston engineering firms as well as a USCG Sector Boston as a Marine Science Technician.
Ensign Moulton graduated from Assumption College in 2004 with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies World Environmental. He also earned a graduate certificate from Nova Southeastern University in Coastal Zone Management. Ensign Moulton had an interest in environmental affairs since spending his youth on family boat trips in Narragansett Bay, RI. Ensign Moulton entered the environmental career field through serving on research group campaigns, as well as volunteering at the Waquoit Bay National Estuary Research Reserve.
Ensign Moulton's other areas of expertise include being a USCG pollution investigator and holding various industrial hygiene certifications.
Ensign Rachel L. PryorEnsign Rachel L. Pryor reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin her basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Pryor was a Fisheries Observer for National Marine Fisheries Service. Prior to working as an observer, she worked as a contractor for the US Environmental Protection Agency in Pensacola, FL.
Ensign Pryor graduated from Florida International University in 2010 with a Masters degree in Environmental Studies. Ensign Pryor has experience in small boat operations achieved through volunteering for University of West Florida conducting hydrographic analysis and US Fish and Wildlife Service Gulf Sturgeon tagging program. Her first underway experience was aboard the Scripps Institution of Oceanography R/V New Horizon, where she volunteered as a Biological Technician.
Ensign Pryor's research interests are primarily fisheries related. She hopes to become a NOAA certified diver and is interested in MPIC training.
Ensign Andrew P. ReynagaEnsign Andrew P. Reynaga began training at the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on August 18, 2012. This was the first group of Officer Candidates to train at the US Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT. Prior to joining the NOAA Corps, Ensign Reynaga worked as NOAA diver involved with marine debris mitigation along the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Ensign Reynaga had previously spent five years managing the boating and diving operations for a research group at the Long Marine Lab, UC Santa Cruz. This group was tasked with monitoring a wide stretch of California's kelp forest ecosystems to provide information to policymakers, scientists, and the public. During this period, Ensign Reynaga spent his time off during the winter as a marine science educator aboard two ships operating off Catalina Island and Hawaii.
Ensign Reynaga graduated from UC Santa Cruz in 2005 with a Bachelor of Science in Marine Biology. While attending school, he underwent training as an AAUS Scientific Diver and focused his studies on invertebrate zoology and phycology. He credits his high school SCUBA program with his decision to pursue a career in marine research.
Ensign Reynaga has gained experience as a boat operator while working as a research diver. He holds a US Coast Guard 100 Ton Near Coastal Master's License with an STCW endorsement and various other boating certifications necessary for dive missions within NOAA and university research. His first assignment is NOAA Ship Hi'ialakai where he hopes to continue facilitating science through dive operations.
Ensign James E. RosenbergEnsign James Rosenberg reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin his basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Rosenberg was Operations Manager for an Oil Spill Removal Organization (OSRO) that supported offshore oil exploration in the Chukchi and Beaufort Seas. Earlier positions in the private sector involved emergency preparedness and compliance management in Alaska's maritime and energy industries.
Ensign Rosenberg is a 2000 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. Following graduation, Ensign Rosenberg was assigned to USCGC STORIS, where in addition to serving as Assistant Engineering Department head, he was a qualified Deck Watch Officer and Law Enforcement Boarding Officer. Ensign Rosenberg later served as the Operations Director for Vessel Traffic Service Prince William Sound before affiliating with the reserve in 2005. Reserve assignments included augmenting Marine Safety Unit Valdez's Incident Management Division and serving as Sector Anchorage's Senior Reserve Officer. Ensign Rosenberg was mobilized to support the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill response and was later on a long term active duty assignment supporting the District 17 Waterways Management Division.
Ensign Rosenberg earned a Master's of Science in Environmental Policy from American Public University in 2008. As an Adjunct faculty member at Prince William Sound Community College, he also taught numerous courses within the Safety Management and Oil Spill response degree programs. Ensign Rosenberg holds a private pilot's certificate and an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator's License. Aside from the marine sciences, Ensign Rosenberg's interests include competitive swimming, running, travel, and general aviation.
Ensign Rosenberg is very excited about his recent assignment to the NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, and looks forward to the opportunity to become a NOAA Diver.
Ensign Kerryn K. SchneiderEnsign Kerryn K. Schneider reported to the NOAA Corps Officer Training Center on 18 August, 2012 to begin her basic training in the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Prior to joining NOAA, Ensign Schneider worked for the University of Massachusetts-Lowell as a Teaching Assistant in the Environmental, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences Department. In 2008, she worked as a Co-op for United Parcel Services Flight Training Center in Louisville, Kentucky for the Boeing 757/767 fleet.
Ensign Schneider graduated from University of Massachusetts-Lowell in 2012 with a Master of Science in Environmental Studies with a concentration in Atmospheric Sciences. She graduated Daniel Webster College in 2009 as Valedictorian with a Bachelor of Science in Aviation Flight Operations.
Ensign Schneider has a Commercial Pilot's License with Multi-Engine, Single-Engine, and Instrument ratings. She is extremely excited to fly the NOAA Twin Otter as her first assignment, and is hoping to fly hurricane hunting missions in the future.