We are the Northeastern Regional Association of Coastal Ocean Observing Systems 

(NERACOOS)

ABOUT

Providing ocean data for decisions. 

We generate data about the ocean, consolidate that data, and share it with anyone who wants or needs it.

Our Network
NERACOOS is one of 11 Regional Authorities operating within the national Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). The mission of IOOS, and by extension our own, is to guide the development of an ocean observing system that is responsive to the needs of our users.

We are certified by NOAA as a Regional Information Coordination Entity, which means the data we serve meet the high standards set for federal data gathering and management. To learn more about our certification and its documentation visit our Governance page.

core values

As we work to fulfill our mission, we are guided by these core values that shape our activities and approach:

Read the 2022-2025 NERACOOS Strategic Plan to learn more about our values and goals.
neracoos staff

NERACOOS STAFF

Jake Kritzer

Executive Director

Boss-man. El Bossarino. The Iron Fist ✊ Large and in charge. Managing, but not micro. 😎🏋️

Rob Cardeiro

Finance Director

QuickBooks Czar 🧾. Audit slayer. Balances budgets & busts out beautiful narratives. Keeps us in the black. 💵💰🤑

Jackie Motyka

Strategy Director

Smooth operator keeping the operators' operations moving. Asset acumen = A+. Known and loved. 🤓💁‍♀️🌊

Tom Shyka

Product & Engagement Manager

OG active listener. Silver🏄‍♂️ of stakeholders. Your needs + our code = elegant fixes. 🗣😇

Katy Bland

Engagement & Research Associate

Resident navigator of breezy seas.🌬⚡️ Saves us from tilting at windmills. 🤝

Emily Silva

NECAN Coordinator & Office Manager

Dark Horse. Keeper of keys. The vegan glue holding this ⛵️ together. Unbearably organized. 📔💯

Austin Pugh

Climate & Ecosystems Coordinator

Office Optimist 🌞. Putting the CAN🍁 into can do! The base to our OA community 🌊🐚🔬

Cameron Thompson

Pelagic Ecology Research Fellow

Leading the charge to observe biodiversity and model zooplankton dynamics. 🔬🦐

THE NERACOOS NETWORK

THE NERACOOS NETWORK

Meet the NERACOOS System Operators, Partners, Members, and Board of Directors

SYSTEM OPERATORS

SYSTEM OPERATORS

As the owners and operators of NERACOOS’s observing assets, our System Operators play a key role in our monitoring and modeling efforts.

PARTNERS

PARTNERS

These organizations are integral members of the NERACOOS network, providing critical leadership, support, and expertise on projects that advance our understanding of Northeast marine ecosystems. 

OPERATING THE SYSTEM

OPERATING THE SYSTEM

MEMBERS

MEMBERSHIP

The federal funding we receive provides a critical base of support, but in order to maintain and repair infrastructure, NERACOOS relies on the revenue from memberships to keep our system operating and improving.  

NERACOOS members understand the importance of having high quality, real time ocean observations, and choose to support us in our efforts to provide the best information possible.  Thank you so much for your contributions and hard work!

If you’re interested in becoming a member, we would be delighted to speak with you further. [email protected], call us at (603) 319-1785, or head over to the CONTACT page. 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

The NERACOOS Board of Directors is comprised of stakeholders from each coastal New England state, representing both public and private sector industries. The Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC), and the Northeast Academic Consortium (NEAC), members from which comprised the first iteration of the NERACOOS Board, still participate through specific appointments. The first Board of Directors meeting was held on November 13, 2008, at which time the NERACOOS Bylaws were adopted. 

Documents related to Board operations, including meeting minutes, can be found on the Governance page. 

This list is current as of August, 2022. 

  • PRESIDENT: Rhonda Moniz (Underwater Investigative Group)
  • VICE PRESIDENT: Nicole Bartlett (NOAA North Atlantic Regional Team)
  • SECRETARY: Prassede Vella (MA Coastal Zone Management/MassBays NEP)
  • TREASURER: Chris Williams (NH Department of Environmental Services)
  • Nicole Bartlett (NOAA North Atlantic Regional Team)
  • David Ullman (University of Rhode Island)
  • Diane Foster (University of New Hampshire)
  • Larry Alade (NOAA Northeast Fisheries Science Center)
  • Aleck Wang (Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)
  • Dave Hebert (Bedford Institute of Oceanography)
  • Neal Pettigrew (University of Maine)
  • Jim O’Donnell (University of Connecticut)
  • Steve Lohrenz (University of Massachusetts Dartmouth)
  • Chris Williams (New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services)
  • Kevin O’Brien (Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection)
  • Prassede Vella (Mass Coastal Zone Management/MassBays NEP)
  • Claire Enterline (Maine Department of Marine Resources)
  • Todd Morrison (Nobska)
  • Rhonda Moniz (Underwater Investigative Group)
  • Jason Goldstein (Wells National Estuarine Research Reserve)
  • Pamela DiBona (MassBays National Estuary Partnership)
  • Tom Pham (Mass. Maritime Academy)
  • Janet Duffy-Anderson (Gulf of Maine Research Institute)
  • Shayla Fitzimmons (CIOOS Atlantic)
  • Regina Lyons (Environmental Protection Agency)
  • Ted Diers (New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services) for Chris Williams
  • Paula Fratantoni (NOAA) for Nicole Bartlett
  • EXECUTIVE: Rhonda Moniz, Nicole Bartlett, Chris Williams, Prassede Vella
  • FINANCE: Chris Williams, Jim O’Donnell, Pam DiBona, Kevin O’Brien
  • NOMINATING: Jason Goldstein, Regina Lyons, Rhonda Moniz