Officers
Commanding Officer
Robert Kamphaus
Deck Officers
Megan Nadeau
Matthew O'Leary
Brian Kennedy
Felix Rivera
Engineering Officers
Robert Dennis
Ricardo Gabona
Tim VanDyke
Medical Officer
Michael Anthony
Crew
Deck Department
Carl VerPlanck
Dana Mancinelli
James Deeton
Kelson Baird
Liam Vickers
Jerrod Hozendorf
Engineering
Margret Collins
Electronics
Richard Conway
Eric Thompson
Roy Toliver
Kirk Andreopoulos
Stewards
Kenneth Wells
Rainer Capati
Mark Walker
Survey
Elaine Stuart
Colleen Peters
NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, “America’s Ship for Ocean Exploration” Explorers
Robert Kamphaus
Commanding Officer
Hometown: Cincinnati, OH
CDR Kamphaus took command of NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer on 23 August 2010. He is the second CO of the ship since it was commissioned as a NOAA vessel.
CDR Kamphaus has compiled seven years of sea time in three previous sea assignments during his 17 year career. He started his NOAA Corps career as Junior Officer aboard NOAA Ship Discoverer, completed an Operations Officer tour aboard NOAA Ship Ronald H. Brown, and had a successful Executive Officer tour aboard NOAA Ship Ka'imimoana. His land assignments have included Operations Manager for a research division at the Pacific Marine Environmental Lab, Assistant Manager of the Lower Region of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, and Research Scientist for the Tsunami Inundation Mapping Effort.
CDR Kamphaus holds a Bachelors degree in Marine Science with specialization in Physical Oceanography from the University of South Carolina. He is presently pursuing a Project Management Certificate.
CDR Kamphaus' wife and family reside in Seattle, WA.
Megan Nadeau
Operations Officer
Hometown: Lewiston/Auburn, ME
LT Nadeau graduated from the University of Maine, Orono in 2004 with a B.S. in Marine Sciences. Her first sea tour was onboard the NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson, conducting hydrographic surveys to update NOAA's nautical charts along the Eastern seaboard. On her shore assignment with the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, Megan worked with the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer from shore and sailed as a mapping watch stander many cruises. Gaining experience with ocean exploration both on shore and at sea helped her prepare for the dynamic role of Operations Officer. Megan likes to visit new places, try new things, and enjoys sunshine and saltwater. Everyone else enjoys trying to get Megan to snort while laughing.
Matthew O'Leary
Junior Officer
Hometown: Stony Brook, NY
ENS O'Leary grew up on Long Island and in Florida, where he grew to appreciate warm weather. He attended Webb Institute, where he graduated in 2007 with a degree in Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering. After graduation, Matt worked at a shipyard in Florida building offshore supply vessels to work in the Gulf. Matt then moved to South Florida and did various odd jobs, working mainly in the yacht industry. He somehow found his way from there into the NOAA Corps where he aspires to excel at shiphandling, thespian acting, and all forms of extreme science. His favorite activity is flinging himself out of perfectly good airplanes—usually with a parachute attached.
Brian Kennedy
Junior Officer
Hometown: Athens, GA
Brian graduated from the College of Charleston in 2009 with a BS in Marine Biology, and joined NOAA Corps directly after. As a hobby, Brian collects certifications: he has earned a private pilot's license, is a master SCUBA diver, nationally registered emergency medical technician, and a second degree black belt. The thing he likes the most about the NOAA Corps is that there is always an opportunity to learn something new, like co-ed synchronized swimming with dolphins.
Felix Rivera
Junior Officer
Hometown: Arecibo, Puerto Rico
ENS Rivera grew up in Arecibo, Puerto Rico. He earned a BS in 2009 from Jarvis Christian College (Texas). Prior to joining the NOAA Corps Rivera was awarded a position with a Puerto Rican AA baseball team, but respectfully declined in order to report to BOTC. His hobbies include baseball, lifting, hunting, diving and reading. Rivera is looking forward to a unique, exciting career that will allow him to be of service to his country and the environment.
Robert Dennis
Chief Marine Engineer
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Bob worked as a Chief Engineer for Blue North Fisheries in Alaska and Samoa for 14 years. He joined NOAA to have a less stressful job. Bob is a NOAA diver, and enjoys competitive shooting and fast cars.
Ricardo Gabona
1st Assistant Engineer
Hometown: Oak Harbor, WA
Ricardo served in the U.S. Navy for 25 years. He looks forward to working with NOAA to be involved in scientific operations and enjoys the change of pace. When at home, Ricardo likes to garden and tinker with woodworking.
Tim VanDyke
2nd Assistant Engineer
Hometown: Ellensburg, WA
Michael Anthony
Medical Officer
Hometown: Bridgewater, MA
LT Anthony is a commissioned officer with the US Public Health Service (USPHS) assigned to NOAA. Mike graduated from Cornell University’s Physician Assistant (PA) program, and went on to work at a medical center for federal prisoners. Prior to becoming a PA, Mike’s prior professions included, work in Africa teaching U.N. peacekeepers, in the Seattle area as an EMT, substitute teaching, and snowboard instructing. He was enlisted in the Army/Army NG for 14 years as well, serving in the Army Rangers and Special Forces units, before his honorable discharge at the rank of sergeant first class. Mike is currently pursuing a graduate degree in public health (MPH), and graduate certificate in global health at New York Medical College. Favorite pastimes are watching live music, playing soccer, cycling, mountaineering, as well as many other outdoor adventures.
Carl VerPlanck
Chief Boatswain
Hometown: Fort Wayne, IN
Carl worked on the Rainier for 5 years and was in the augmentation pool for two years where he worked on the Nancy Foster and Albatross IV.
Dana Mancinelli
Bosun Group Leader
James Deeton
General Vessel Assistant
Hometown: Alexandria, VA
A graduate of Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX, James has several degrees: an AAS in electronic communication servicing and an AAS in Computer Information Systems Network Technology. James like to fish and learn about astronomy. He has worked on the NOAA Ships Nancy Foster, Albatross IV, and Kai'imimoana in the deck and engine departments.
Kelson Baird
Deck Utilityman
Hometown: Big Sur, CA
Liam Vickers
Deck Utilityman
Hometown: New York, NY
Jerrod Hozendorf
Able-Bodied Seaman
Hometown: Hot Springs, AR
Margret Collins
Oiler
Hometown: The World
A former Marine (oohrah!), Maggie also graduated from Evergreen State College. She aspires to live in Australia, loves music, reading, exercise and travel. She wishes to someday own a vespa. Maggie is also known for painting her tools pink so that the guys won’t use them.
Jim Watkins
General Vessel Assistant
Hometown: Lebanon, OR
Jim enjoys fishing and kayaking. He has also worked on the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson.
Richard Conway
Chief Electronics Technician
Hometown: Lynnwood, WA
A "#1 Fan" of the Seattle Seahawks, Richard also likes roller coasters, designing logos, brochures, and Christmas cards and is abnormally happy. For over five years, Richard has worked on the NOAA Ship Fairweather.
Eric Thompson
Chief Electronics Technician
Hometown: Ventura, CA
Eric served in the U.S. Navy for eight years aboard the USS Keywest SSN 722, with short patrols on the USS Cincinnati SSN 693 and USS Atlanta SSN 712 as Sonar Supervisor, Scuba Diver and Sonar Technician. Following the Navy, Eric attended Nevada Community College and worked for Raytheon for six years. He has worked for NOAA for the past three years aboard the Thomas Jefferson. Eric’s hobbies include scuba diving and surfing.
Roy Toliver
Chief Electronics Technician
Hometown: Kent, WA
Roy served 24 years in the U.S. Navy and Naval reserves. He has worked for the Boeing company and the VA administration before joining NOAA. A long time resident of Kent, WA, Roy is a member of the local Lion’s Club and likes to study karate.
Kirk Andreopoulos
Electronics Technician
Hometown: Piraeus, Greece
Kirk served 26 ½ years in the U.S. Navy as a Data System Technician, and retired as Senior Chief. Kirk also has a B.S. in Training Education & Development with a minor in Workforce Management from the University of Southern Illinois. He has worked for Defense contractors, Comtek, PRC, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics Information Technology working on grooming navy vessels and submarines. The Okeanos Explorer is Kirk’s first NOAA assignment. He now resides in Virginia Beach, VA.
Kenneth Wells
Chief Steward
Hometown: Lynden, WA
Ken has been sailing for 30 years between the Navy and NOAA. He is also a University of Washington Huskies fan.
Rainer Capati
Chief Cook
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Mark Walker
2nd Cook
Hometown: Perth Amboy, NJ
Mark spent 20 years in the Navy in the electronics department. He also worked for MSC as a supply utilityman. The Okeanos Explorer is Mark's first NOAA ship—he aspires to work in the electronics department with NOAA. In his free time, Mark enjoys lifting weights, playing basketball, and eating spaghetti.
Elaine Stuart
Senior Survey Technician
Hometown: Seattle, WA
Elaine has been sailing with NOAA since 2000 on the Rainier, Oscar Elton Sette and Kai'imimoana. Elaine is excited to get back into mapping and work with ROVs. Elaine enjoys horseback riding, dirty martinis and Hello Kitty. She is also excited at the prospect of initiating her pollywog shipmates when the EX heads south!
Colleen Peters
Senior Survey Technician
Hometown: Trumbull, CT
Colleen has been working on a variety of ships, both sailing and motor, since high school. A Maine Maritime Academy graduate, Colleen is exited to start the ship’s store, have a roommate who also likes the color pink, and to finally be going somewhere warm. For NOAA, she has also worked in the Bering Sea aboard the NOAA Ship Oscar Dyson. Colleen enjoys the occasional cosmopolitan and collects rubber duckies.
