Unsupported Browser Detected

Internet Explorer lacks support for the features of this website. For the best experience, please use a modern browser such as Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.

National Observer Program Advisory Team

The National Observer Program Advisory Team, also known as NOPAT, meets twice a year and is comprised of representatives from regional observer programs, national line offices, and the U.S. Coast Guard.

Jonathan Wendland serves as the representative for the U.S. Coast Guard. He can be reached at (202) 420-4441.

Contact Directory List

National

Kenneth F. Keene

National Observer Program Coordinator
Office of Science and Technology
Office: (301) 427-8158
Email: kenneth.keene@noaa.gov
National

Lee Benaka

Bycatch Lead
Office of Science and Technology
Office: (301) 427-8554
Email: lee.benaka@noaa.gov
National

Brett Alger

Electronic Technologies Coordinator
Office of Science and Technology
Office: (301) 427-8217
Email: brett.alger@noaa.gov
Fax: 978-281-9135
New England/Mid-Atlantic

Brad McHale

Information, Reporting, and Monitoring Branch Chief
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Office: (978) 281-9260
Email: brad.mchale@noaa.gov
Fax: (978) 281-9260
Alaska

Jennifer Ferdinand

Deputy Director
Alaska Fisheries Science Center
Office: (206) 526-4076
Email: jennifer.ferdinand@noaa.gov
Alaska

Josh Keaton, M.S.

Supervisory Fishery Management Specialist
Alaska Regional Office
Office: (907) 586-7519
Email: josh.keaton@noaa.gov
New England/Mid-Atlantic

Maria Fenton

Policy Analyst
Greater Atlantic Regional Fisheries Office
Office: (978) 281-9196
Email: maria.fenton@noaa.gov
New England/Mid-Atlantic

Katherine McArdle

Director, Fishery Monitoring and Research
Northeast Fisheries Science Center
Office: (774) 392-5308
Cell: (774) 392-5308
Email: katherine.mcardle@noaa.gov
West Coast

Jon McVeigh

Fisheries Observation Science Program Manager
Northwest Fisheries Science Center
Office: (206) 302-2423
Email: jon.mcveigh@noaa.gov
West Coast

Charles Villafana

Fish Biologist
West Coast Regional Office
Office: (562) 980-4033
Email: charles.villafana@noaa.gov
Southeast

Andrew "Andy" Herndon

Natural Resources Specialist
Southeast Regional Office
Office: (727) 824-5367
Email: Andrew.Herndon@noaa.gov
Southeast

Scott Leach

Branch Chief
Southeast Fisheries Science Center
Email: scott.leach@noaa.gov
Southeast

Jennifer Lee

Fish Biologist
Southeast Regional Office
Office: (727) 824-5312
Email: jennifer.lee@noaa.gov
Pacific Islands

Keith Bigelow

Supervisory Research Fish Biologist
Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center
Office: (808) 725-5388
Email: keith.bigelow@noaa.gov
Pacific Islands

Lesley Hawn

Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Administrator
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Office: (808) 725-5100
Email: lesley.hawn@noaa.gov
Pacific Islands

Rich Kupfer

Supervisory Fish and Wildlife Administrator
Pacific Islands Regional Office
Office: (808) 725-5102
Email: richard.kupfer@noaa.gov
National

Keith Hagg

Attorney-Advisor
Office: (301) 713-9689
Email: keith.hagg@noaa.gov
National

Robert Hogan

Enforcement Attorney
Office: (301) 427-8283
Email: robert.j.hogan@noaa.gov
National

Laura Keeling

Fishery Management Specialist
Office of Sustainable Fisheries
Office: (301) 427-8562
Email: laura.keeling@noaa.gov
National

Kristy Long

Fishery Biologist
Office of Protected Resources
Office: (206) 526-4792
Email: kristy.long@noaa.gov
National

Amy Anderson

Special Agent
Office of Law Enforcement
Office: (240) 856-7200
Email: amy.anderson@noaa.gov
National

Terra Lederhouse

Division Chief
Office of International Affairs, Trade, and Commerce
Office: (301) 427-8350
National

Lori Newell

NOAA Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Coordinator - Northwest/West Coast & Alaska Regions
Office of Science and Technology
Cell: (202) 308-8221
Email: lori.newell@noaa.gov