Dave McLaughlin is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Clean Ocean Access and currently working on transforming the organization into a sustainable non-profit such that the mission lasts forever. He has been actively involved with the core programs of the organization from the inception and one of founding citizens that led to the grassroots movement. Dave has successfully inspired a community to come together and work on environmental issues with positive energy and a willingness to listen. He has led the grassroots movement and formalization of the non-profit with the highest level of moral integrity and ethical standards. David received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology (1993) and his Masters of Science Degree in Applied Mathematics from the Florida Institute of Technology (1996) with a concentration in atmospheric science and physical oceanography. He was formerly employed at Hasbro Toy Company for the past twelve (12) years in Information Technology. Prior to this position he was a consultant for a management information systems company for five (5) years. His responsibilities ranged from software development, technical analysis, business systems analysis, project management, project leadership, strategic planning and enterprise architecture as part of implementing on-time & on-budget & on-quality multi-million dollar software implementations across multiple time zones managing over thirty (30) resources using various staffing models. This past employment experience resulted in a subject matter expertise for technology, sales & operations planning, logistics, sales, marketing, social media and excellent communication, budget and financial management skills. His experience for a publicly held Fortune 1000 company translates into a superior skill set for leadership of a public charity. Besides leading COA into the future, he is the vice chair for the waste water and storm water committee and member of the cliff walk commission for the City of Newport. All of these activities are passionately linked together via community service and giving back to society, simply to make things better for today and the future. Dave is an avid wave rider and with over 3 decades of wave riding experience with his roots as a bodysurfer at Waimea shore break in the early 1980’s.
Feel free to reach Dave at [email protected]
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Drew Carey is the President of Clean Ocean Access and a marine scientist who has lived in New England for thirty years. He has been actively involved with the core programs of the organization from the first year and one of founding citizens that led to the grassroots movement. He developed and led the water quality monitoring program which has led to an unprecedented data set and established partnerships with local and state and federal officials that have made significant progress working towards the clean water act. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Geology and Biological Oceanography from The Evergreen State College, Olympia, Washington (1976). He has a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Geology and Marine Ecology from the University of St Andrews, Scotland (1983). He is the founder and Principal Scientist of CoastalVision for the past fifteen (15) years and is responsible for business development, technical oversight, contract management, personnel, strategic decisions and financial operations. Prior to founding CoastalVision, Dr. Carey was an assistant professor at Wesleyan University and Senior Scientist at Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC). He has been involved with marine science education, research and program management for over thirty (30) years. Drew and is passionate about engaging people with the natural world and caring for their community. Despite growing up in a coastal town in California with a beach named “Surf” during the early surf craze, he came late to ocean activities. Because being in the water is now his bliss, he would just as soon it was healthy.
Feel free to reach Drew at [email protected]
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Kate Markey is the Secretary of Clean Ocean Access and has a long standing love and appreciation for the marine environment. She has a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island’s Department Fisheries, Animal and Veterinary Sciences with a concentration in Aquaculture and Shellfish Disease. She currently works as the Technician in the Aquatic Diagnostic Laboratory at Roger Williams University. Throughout her scientific career Kate has studied finfish and shellfish aquaculture, shellfish disease and disease diagnostics, water quality, marine ecology and restoration/conservation biology. Kate moved to Aquidneck Island during the summer of 2012 after living on the Narragansett side of RI since 2002. An avid beach enthusiast Kate noticed the overwhelming amount of macro-algae growing at the beaches on Aquidneck Island. After striking up a conversation with Dave McLaughlin at a fourth of July party during the summer of 2013 the idea for the Seaweed Nutrient Analysis Program (SNAP) was created. The program kicked off in January 2014 and the goal of the program is to investigate the seaweed we are observing at the beaches and start talking about why it might be here. It’s through Kate’s love of the ocean that she believes strongly in Clean Ocean Access and its core programs. Kate is excited to be a part of an organization of like-minded peopled with the ocean as their main mission. Feel free to reach Kate at [email protected]
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Ian Owen is the Treasurer of Clean Ocean Access and grew up in a coastal town of Aberavon, in South Wales and started his career in the Royal Navy, earning an electrical and electronic engineering degree. Ian has worked for technology and engineering companies specializing in sub-sea and naval engineering and training, simulation systems, and has held a number of leadership positions in program management roles. He has a passion for helping the environment and wildlife, as demonstrated by a commendation received from the UK’s Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) when he helped set up and run an oiled bird rescue and rehabilitation center in Saudi Arabia during the first Gulf War. Since then, Ian has actively advocated for environmental causes and groups, including Save the Bay and more recently Clean Ocean Access. Ian moved to the USA in 2007 and lives with his wife Michelle in Jamestown. He has two grown sons. His other interests include surfing, snowboarding, fishing, running, power yoga, rugby (watching) and has on several occasions been seen at Fenway Park.
Feel free to reach Ian at [email protected]
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Elaine Amaral came to Newport in the 70s as a military dependent with my parents and three siblings. Captivated by Narragansett Bay and the natural beauty of Aquidneck Island I choose to make Newport my lifelong home base. I received a masters degree in science education from URI and have been teaching Physics, Earth Science and Oceanography at Portsmouth High School since 1993. Intrigued by COA’s beach clean ups and other proactive environmental activities I invited Dave McLaughlin and Marty Casey to share COA’s vision with my students approximately seven years ago. Excited and eager to be a part of such a positive process my students have participated in beach clean ups ever since. I get positively giddy whenever I get the chance to frolic in the water. Free diving, boogey boarding, and poking around in tide pools are some of my favorite ways to get my happiness on. I am also dive certified and love to be under water as often as I can. I am honored to serve on the Board of Directors of COA as this organization moves forward toward non-profit status and expands its goals while embracing its mission to preserve the coastal environment for generations to come.
Feel free to reach Elaine at [email protected]
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Andrew Going grew up exploring and appreciating the coast of Aquidneck Island with a bicycle and a sense of adventure. The beauty of the ocean and shoreline moved him at an early age and the inspiration born from these and ongoing encounters continue to color his world. Being near or on the water has always been a precious thing. As a teenager Andrew was a lifeguard. He sails, snorkels, fishes, kayaks and surfs the local waters. These activities share a common thread, a connectedness with something immense and profound, reflected by the sea. As Frank Lloyd Wright famously directed “Study nature, love nature, stay close to nature. It will never fail you.” As an adult Andrew moved from Aquidneck Island, but not far, and Newport continues to feel like home. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Sciences and Services and a Masters Degree in Physical Therapy. He had been a practicing physical therapist since 1995. He is a father to 2 children, Eleanor, 14 and Dylan, 27.
Feel free to reach Andrew at [email protected]
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Monica DeAngelis has been actively involved with Clean Ocean Access activities specifically the cliff walk repairs project, outreach and education, special events, and fostering partnerships. She received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Biology from the University of New Hampshire (1994) and a Master of Science Degree in Biology from San Diego State University (2000). She is currently employed with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), National Marine Fisheries Service, West Coast Regional Office, as a Marine Mammal Biologist. She has worked for NOAA for twenty (20) years and in her current role since 2003. Her current responsibilities include the implementation of the Endangered Species Act and Marine Mammal Protection Act within the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Marine Fisheries Service’s (NMFS) West Coast Regions’ jurisdiction, developing educational brochures for whales and pinnipeds in California, assisting with allocation of annual marine mammal budget funds. She is a member of the Public Outreach Committee and Protected Resources Division and the representative at National/local outreach events as well as the back-up stranding coordinator for sea turtles and marine mammals and back-up marine mammal observer. Monica is a scientific advisor to the American Cetacean Society. She was born and raised in Newport and although she currently lives with her family in California, she still has strong ties to Aquidneck Island. She is passionate about educating people about the environment, especially children, so they can teach others about the importance of clean healthy oceans. You can typically find her stand up paddle boarding on the ocean closest to her.
Feel free to reach Monica at [email protected]
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Mike Sweeney has been actively involved with the core programs of the organization from the inception and one of founding citizens that led to the grassroots movement. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island (1998). He is currently employed by IDC Inc. at the with the Goat Island Marina, Newport, Rhode Island, as the General Manager for the past fourteen (14) years. His current responsibilities ensuring Rhode Island Department of Environment Management (DEM) compliance as it relates to Underground Storage Tanks, Spill Response and safe operating practices. Marina facility project management and Coastal Resource Management Council (CRMC) compliance with regards to facility upkeep, improvements and expansion. Property management of various company owned assets, including commercial office space, on-site restaurant, seasonal banquet facility, as well as five (5) separate residential properties. Fleet maintenance to include on-water vessels, maintenance vehicles, forklifts and landscape equipment. OSHA compliance as it relates to safe working practices, hazardous material handling and storage, and company operated machinery. Ensuring local fire code and enforcement across the company. Training staff and conducting weekly scheduling. Mike is a life-long Aquidneck Island resident, Mike grew up in Newport and began surfing in his early teens. This led to a lifestyle revolving around the ocean and outdoor environment. A proud father of three, he now lives in Portsmouth.
Feel free to reach Mike at [email protected]
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Ned Draper is a Board and Finance Committee member of Clean Ocean Access and a professional Administrator. He began volunteering for COA in the SNAP program in 2014. He has a Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations Management from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst (1990), a Master of Science in Management from Salve Regina University (2013) and is a licensed School Principal from the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth (2011). He is presently Director of Academic Budgets and Resources for the Rhode Island School of Design, and prior to this position was Director of Administrative Services for the North Kingstown School District and the City of Newport. Ned believes that education and public service are the cornerstones to a healthy community. As a former employee of the City of Newport, school committee member in Middletown, and now resident of Portsmouth he has deep appreciation for the diversity of Aquidneck Island, and our reliance upon the ocean that surrounds and supports us. Having grown up on Cape Cod, and now as a resident of the island for over twenty years, Ned’s connection to the water is a constant; fishing Buzzards Bay, commercial scuba diving, teaching his kids to swim at our beaches, kayaking Newport Harbor and learning to surf and paddleboard at Sachuest renew this commitment with every stirring departure from the confines of shore. As a proud father of two, Jordan and Jonathan, he is working towards leaving the island better than he found it for them and the generations to come.
Feel free to reach Ned at [email protected]