Sanctuary Staff
Contact Us
For general inquiries:
graysreef@noaa.gov
(912) 598-2345 (office phone)
(912) 598-2367 (fax)
Leadership
Stan Rogers
Superintendent and Research Coordinator
Stan.Rogers@noaa.gov | 912.598.2428
Stan Rogers is the superintendent at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary joining the sanctuary in 2019, continuing his 20+ year career with government service. Rogers previously worked for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) where he most recently supervised policy, planning and evaluation, data management, and communications activities for NOAA's Restoration Center in the Office of Habitat Conservation. Prior to that, he served as a senior consultation biologist for NMFS' Office of Protected Resources leading national programmatic consultations with the U.S. Navy and other Department of Defense training and testing activities worldwide, pursuant to the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act.
Prior to joining NOAA in 2011, Rogers spent 15 years with the Department of Defense as a civilian natural resources and conservation law enforcement program manager for the Air Force. There he was responsible for natural resource conservation programs on military lands and waters around the Continental U.S., Alaska, and Hawai'i. He also administered environmental programs in overseas locations including Greenland, Ascension Island, and Antigua.
Rogers is a native of the lowcountry of South Carolina and a graduate of Clemson University. He began his career as a consulting wildlife biologist in the Carolinas and Georgia working with private and corporate landowners and is fortunate to return "home" to be a steward of Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary.
Elliott Lam
State Program Manager
Elliott.Lam@noaa.gov | 912.598.2439
Elliott Lam arrived at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary in 2018. In his role on the management team, Elliott's main responsibilities include coordinating support with our primary partner, the University of Georgia's Skidaway Institute of Oceanography, program planning and implementation, and partnerships with stakeholders. His interest in marine resources management grew out of experiences as a youth fishing along the marshes of the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico and diving in the Florida Keys. Lam honed his skills while working at Rare, an international NGO, in their Philippines office, where he worked with local governments and marginal anglers to establish scientifically sound, ecosystem-based fisheries and habitat management. Lam holds a master's degree in environmental and natural resource management from the University of the Philippines and a bachelor's degree in government from Berry College.
Duties: grant management, finance, facilities, IT, operations, program planning, recreational fishing and diving
Resource Protection
Scott Kathey
Resource Protection Coordinator
Scott.Kathey@noaa.gov | 912.598.2381
Scott Kathey joined the Gray's Reef team in December 2020. He began working for the National Marine Sanctuary System in 1992 as a graduate intern with the Olympic Coast and Proposed Northwest Straits national marine sanctuary programs in Washington state. Two years later, he accepted a position at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary in California as a resource protection specialist. In this role, Kathey coordinated a variety of tasks over 26 years such as regulatory compliance, environmental enforcement, emergency response planning/operations, permitting, marine policy, advisory council administration, buoy system management, salvage contracting and oversight, small boat management, and boat/dive/air operations. As resource protection coordinator at Gray's Reef, he is responsible for resource protection policy development and implementation, permitting, advisory council administration, sanctuary management planning, regulatory interpretation and development, enforcement, environmental emergency response, and support for sanctuary boat, dive, and air operations. Scott gained a love for the sea during visits to the Gulf Coast as a child and entered the marine protection field to play an active role in ocean stewardship. During his professional career in local and federal coastal zone management, he has applied a combination of policy, regulatory, administrative, and social tools to prevent and minimize threats to natural resources and processes across urban shorelines, national wildlife refuges, and national marine sanctuaries. Kathey holds a master's degree in marine affairs from University of Washington with a concentration in coastal management, and a bachelor's degree in international affairs from George Washington University with a concentration in international politics.
Duties: policy development, permitting, advisory council, management planning, regulations, enforcement, emergency response, and field operations support
Scientific Research and Monitoring
Alison Soss
Geospatial Data Analyst and Research Program Specialist
Alison.Soss@noaa.gov | 912.598.2431
Alison Soss was first part of the Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary science team between 2014-2016 working as a research program specialist. In 2019, she was hired back on as a research program specialist and geospatial analyst. In these roles, she supports research goals by curating and providing geospatial analytical support for the sanctuary. In addition to providing scientific diving and field support, she assists with equipment deployment planning, data management, and mapping outreach materials. Soss' interests in marine research began when she got scuba certified in 2010. She loves the challenges of conducting research underwater and always seeing or hearing something new while out at sea. She also has a passion for social sciences and learning about how humans value and interact with the environment and each other. Her interests have led her to working on offshore research expeditions and social science projects for the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and the Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. Soss holds a bachelor's degree in environmental studies and a bachelor's in biology from Emory University. She is currently working on her master's degree at the College of Charleston in environmental studies and public administration.
Duties: data management, GIS analysis, cartography, scientific research, scientific diving, research planning, scientific reports, communication and outreach material
Vessel Operations
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Christy Starsinic
Vessel Operations Coordinator
voc.grnms@noaa.gov | 912.657.0526
Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Christy Starsinic joined Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary as the vessel operations coordinator in June 2025. She coordinates boat operations aboard R/V Gannet and diver operations for the sanctuary as the NOAA Divemaster. Before coming to Gray's Reef, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Starsinic served aboard NOAA Ship Pisces. On Pisces, she held various roles, including Small Boat Officer, Navigation Officer, Dive Officer, and Environmental Compliance Officer. During her time on Pisces, she conducted operations throughout the Gulf of America (formerly Gulf of Mexico), as well as along the U.S. East Coast, from southern Texas to Nova Scotia, Canada. She also served as an Officer of the Deck on NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette, which sailed throughout the Northern Mariana Islands. Before joining the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Starsinic worked in wilderness therapy and outdoor education across the US She guided students in nature and taught marine and environmental sciences. She holds a master's degree in biology from the University of Guam. Her thesis focused on coral reef resilience around Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia. She earned her bachelor's degree in Biology with minors in Marine Science, Environmental Science, and Classical Studies from Fairfield University, where she also played Division I field hockey.
Duties: vessel operations and maintenance, dive operations and maintenance, budgeting, and safety
Education and Outreach
Mary Quinn
Education and Outreach Specialist
Mary.Quinn@noaa.gov | 912.598.2417
Mary Quinn joined Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary in 2023 as a NOAA Affiliate via University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. As the education and outreach specialist, Mary handles day-to-day operations at Gray's Reef Ocean Discovery Center, including volunteers, visitors, and informal education. She is also responsible for building curriculum and creating educational programming. Mary found a passion for education and outreach while working for marine science nonprofits in the Florida Keys. In the span of two years, Mary taught over 10,000 visiting students about the ecosystems of the Florida Keys, and general threats to marine environments. She holds a bachelor's degree with a double major in biology and creative writing from Wheaton College, Massachusetts.
Duties: Oversees the Ocean Discovery Center, curriculum development, informal educational program design, events
Danielle Oxman
Outreach, Social Media Specialist and Volunteer Coordinator
Danielle.Oxman@noaa.gov | 912.349.9417
Danielle Oxman joined Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary in 2025 as a NOAA affiliate via University of Georgia Skidaway Institute of Oceanography. As the outreach and social media specialist, Oxman runs our social media, updates our website, and coordinates outreach events. Oxman has had a passion for communicating science throughout her career experiences. In her various roles, she travelled all over the world, from South Africa to Hawaii, researching and educating communities on the wonders of our waters. Oxman worked as a PADI dive instructor in Hawaii, where she fostered stewardship and conservation through scuba diving. She also holds a bachelor's degree in marine biology from the University of Oregon where she worked in the Von Dassow Laboratory at the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology.
Duties: Social media and website management, event coordination/planning, supports the Ocean Discovery Center and educational programs
Ansley Standridge
Social Media Affiliate
Ansley Standridge joined Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary in 2024 as a NOAA affiliate. She assists the social media team and handles content creation, caption writing, and identifying trends. She also greets guests and operates the Ocean Discovery Center gift shop. She's currently a student at the Savannah College of Art and Design, studying writing and social strategy and management.
Duties: Content creation, copywriting, greeting guests, gift shop
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
Sarah Porter
Chapter Director, Gray's Reef NMS Foundation
With over 15 years of experience in development and building partnerships, Sarah Porter is dedicated to inspiring support for our marine ecosystems. Most recently she was the director of innovative philanthropy at Hope for Haiti, where she not only spearheaded all northeast fundraising campaigns but also launched the organization's pioneering virtual reality (VR) project, allowing users to virtually explore a school in rural Haiti. Porter's commitment to service includes over two years as a Peace Corps volunteer in the Republic of Macedonia, followed by founding the New York City Peace Corps Association. A new scuba diver and avid kayaker, she also co-produces short documentaries about nature in urban environments, and is passionate about sea creatures.