JESSICA PULFER,
Director
Jessica began her MarineLab career in 2005 as a Marine Science Field Instructor. Now the Director of Education, she is ultimately responsible for the day to day MarineLab operations, including overseeing our dive program. (more...)

SARAH EGNER,
Director, Research, Development & Outreach

After a short hiatus at a school in Miami, Sarah Egner returned to MarineLab in 2009 to take up new duties as our Assistant Director in charge of curriculum. She recently became Director in charge of our Research, Program Development, and Outreach programs. Sarah is still in charge of MarineLab's curriculum and acts as a Deputy Director when Jessica is not available. (more)

CHRIS OLSTAD
Habitat Operations Director

Chris is our Habitat Operations Director but also takes a turn now and again in our MarineLab program as an instructor. Chris has been with MarineLab the longest, having started in 1985. (more...)

BEN KLITZKIE, Senior Field Instructor
Ben joined the MarineLab Instructor Team in April 2010. Recently promoted to Senior Field Instructor, Ben (along with Katie Mastenbrook) is responsible for maintaining our snorkel and lab equipment, the aquaria, (more...)

KATIE MASTENBROOK, Senior Field Instructor
Katie has a BS in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University. Recently promoted to Senior Field Instructor, Katie (along with Ben Klitzkie) is responsible for maintaining our snorkel and lab equipment, aquaria, being a lead instructor in the field, and assorted other tasks around MarineLab. She has worked at Newfound Harbor Marine Institute in the Florida Keys and at the YMCA Camp Orkila in Orcas Island, WA.

OUR NEW STAFF WILL BE HERE IN JANUARY 2012! We look forward to introducing you to JONATHAN DAVIS, KELLEY STEPHENS, TYLER EARWOOD, AARON CHASTAIN, AMY HEEMSOTH, LINSEY SHAFER and returning instructor TYLER HASSIG!

GINETTE HUGHES
Senior VP, Program Services
MarineLab Coordinator
Ginette has been with MarineLab almost since its inception in 1985. She joined in 1986 as the "booking secretary" and has since expanded her duties, and title, to include overseeing all Marine Resources Development Foundation operations, not just the MarineLab program. Currently, she is responsible for coordinating the day to day activities of the Foundation, including computer resources, human resources, and marketing/public relations, in addition to supervising the program development, planning, and coordination for all programs. She is also responsible for long range program planning for the Foundation, including financial forecasts and budgets. She attended Ohio Wesleyan University before earning her Bachelor's of Business degree from Florida International University. Ginette is a native of New Jersey but has been in the Keys for longer than she was in NJ. She is a diver and a racing and cruising sailor.

JOANN SMENDA, Treasurer & Business Office Manager
Ms. Smenda joined the Foundation in 1989, after a succesful 16-year tenure with AT&T in Cleveland and Cincinnati, Ohio. Currently Treasurer and Business Manager, her past job functions at the Foundation have included Assistant to the President as well as Coordinator of the TEEC facility in South Carolina. Currently, she is responsible for all accounting and payroll functions, expense control, employee benefits, donations, and is instrumental in the overall day to day business operations of the Foundation. JoAnn earned her AA in Business Administration from the University of Cincinnati.  A native of Cleveland, Ohio, she is an avid Indians and Browns fan.

LIZ WOOD,
Administrative Assistant
Liz joined the team in 2008. As the MarineLab administrative assistant, she is responsible for billing, collecting forms, and coordinating the cafeteria and housekeeping services needed by MarineLab programs. Liz is a native of Texas but has lived all over the West and Midwest.

DAN SHINGLEDECKER,
Director of Maintenance