Board & Staff
Staff
Our team of scientists provides innovative scientific solutions to challenges threatening ocean health and marine life in our rapidly changing world. In addition to our researchers is a team that plays a critical role in helping accomplish our mission:
Corporate Officers
Donald B. Kent, M.S., President & CEO
Bethany Smith, M.B.A., Chief Financial OfficerDanielle Haulsee, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer
Development & Community Relations
David Neuman, Senior Development Manager
Administrative Staff
Julie Carpenter, Human Resources Coordinator
Dena Leon, Front Office Coordinator
Laura Vega, Accounting ManagerLes Winchester, Facility and Safety Manager
Senior Research Scientists
Research Scientists
Research Assistants & Support Staff
Victor Bach Munoz
Andrew Dixon
Matt Elliott
Agatha Fabry
Andrew Fowler
Seth Hendershot
Hayley Heiner
Jack Howell
Andrew Jarrett
Joseph Johnson
Mariana Kawakami
Robert Ledesma
Kaycie Lindland
Mac Lofquist
Jax Mikkelsen
Karen Miller McClune
Gonzalo Navarro
Jordan Pritzl
Megan Quinn
Sam Rangel
Kayla Roy
Ricardo Suarez
Walker Watson
Maddie Wilmot
Other Affiliated Scientists
Liz Gagneron (Research Associate)
Michael Rust, Ph.D. (Research Fellow)
Todd Schmitt, D.V.M. (Research Associate)
Board of Trustees
Chairman Emeritus
Milt Shedd (deceased)
Chair Emeritus, Science Committee
Dr. Clark Hubbs (deceased)
Executive Committee
Bill Shedd, Chairman of the Board, AFTCO Manufacturing Company, Inc.; Chairman of the Board
Dr. Chris Dold, Chief Zoological Officer, SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment; Chair, Science Committee
J. David Gardner, Principal, Highland Partnership, Inc.; Chair, Finance Committee and Immediate Past Chair
Jerry Sansom, Governmental Affairs Consultant, JHS Legislative Consultants; Chair, Corporate and Government Relations Committee
Ian K. Stewart, Former Director of Corporate Sustainability, Sempra Energy; Chair, Nominating Commitee
Laurilee Thompson, Owner, Dixie Crossroads; Chair, Development Committee
Robert Weiner, Owner, Star-Box, Inc.; Chair, Audit Committee
The HSWRI Board of Trustees represents a collection of visionary leaders who have distinguished careers in a variety of scientific, corporate, and cultural endeavors. Each Board member brings to the Institute a vision for ocean conservation, a dedication to advance the Institute and its mission, and a dedication to community service.
Board of Trustees
Robert C. Fletcher, Past President, Sportfishing Association of California
Paul Fruchbom, Co-Founder, KDF Communities
Reese Jarrett, President, E. Smith & Company, Inc.
Michael King, Director of Real Estate & Development, King’s Seafood
Jim Lake, Park President, SeaWorld San Diego and Sesame Place San Diego
Laura MacKinnon, Senior Social Impact & Sustainability Specialist, Wells Fargo Bank
Ermelinda Ruiz Moretti, Chief Advocate, Chevron Corporation
Nick Sanzone, Environmental Programs Coordinator, City of Satellite Beach, FL
Robert J. Weiner, Owner, Star-Box, Inc
Louis Zimm, Captain (Retired), UCSD/SIO
Trustees Emeritus
Senator Dede Alpert
Art DeFever (deceased)
Char DeMotte
George L. Gildred (deceased)
Wally Schirra (deceased)
Officers
Donald B. Kent, M.S. President & Chief Executive Officer
Bethany Smith, M.B.A. Chief Financial Officer/Secretary