ADVISORS

Billy Causey, AOC Spokesperson
Paul J. Boyle, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
Joan Embery, Lead Advisor
John W. Farrington, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
Andreas Merkl, Lead Advisor
Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Lead Advisor
Soames Summerhays, Director/Producer
Glenn Bucksbaum
April Bucksbaum

Billy Causey, AOC Spokesperson
SUPERINTENDENT, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary

Billy Causey is U.S. Superintendent of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. He took this position in 1993, following two years as Sanctuary Project Manager. As the lead National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration official in the development of the management plan for this 2800 square nautical mile marine protected area, he serves as the liaison with local, state, and other federal agencies responsible for management of natural resources in the Florida Keys. Mr. Causey has spearheaded an unprecedented planning effort, which utilizes the expertise of local, state, and federal agencies, the scientific community, educators, and local user groups in the development of a comprehensive management plan. Causey served with the National Park Service as a Park Ranger and
has also worked as a commercial diver and research assistant. From 1972 until 1983 Mr. Causey owned and managed Aplysia Aquarium Collecting and Research Center in partnership with his wife Laura.

Paul J. Boyle, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
DIRECTOR, The New York Aquarium and Osborn Laboratories of Marine Science

Dr. Paul Boyle has been involved in aquatic conservation and environmental research programs for over 25 years and led TOP research and surveys on the lack of public awareness among Americans. He earned an M.S. in Environmental Engineering and a Ph.D. in Marine Microbiology and Applied Environmental Sciences at Harvard University’s Division of Applied Sciences. In 1996, Dr. Boyle and several colleagues founded The Ocean Project to increase public awareness of the importance of the oceans through the nation’s aquariums, zoos, and science museums. In 2003, Dr. Boyle was promoted to Director of the New York Aquarium and Osborn Laboratories. He has published extensively on microorganisms in the aquatic environment, marine wood boring organisms, and his current research focuses on the non-cultural aquatic microorganisms as possible sources of pharmaceuticals.

Sylvia Earle, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
EXPLORER IN RESIDENCE, National Geographic Society
FOUNDER AND CHAIR, Deep Ocean Exploration and Research

Dr. Sylvia Earle is the best-known woman marine scientist on the planet. Dr. Earle has led more than 60 expeditions worldwide involving more than 7000 hours underwater in connection to her research. In 1992 she founded Deep Ocean Exploration and Research, to design, operate, support, and consult on manned and robotic sub sea systems in order to explore the ocean depths. Recognized by the Library of Congress as a Living Legend, Dr. Earle is currently Explorer in Residence at the National Geographic Society. She served from 1980 to 1984 on The President's Advisory Committee on Oceans and Atmosphere. From 1990 to 1992 she served as Chief Scientist of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. She is author of more than 100 publications concerning marine science and technology, including the books, Exploring the Deep Frontier, Sea Change (1995), Wild Ocean (1999) and The Atlas of the Ocean (2001).

Joan Embery, Lead Advisor
PRESIDENT, Joan Embery Institute for Wildlife Conservation

Noted naturalist and animal expert Joan Embery is a champion of animals and the environment. During the 32 years she served as goodwill ambassador for the Zoological Society of San Diego, she worked to educate the public about a variety of endangered and exotic species and the need to preserve them and their habitats. Through numerous speaking engagements, radio interviews and her appearances on television shows such as “The Tonight Show” with Johnny Carson and Jay Leno, “Good Morning America”, “CBS This Morning”, “Life with Regis & Kathie Lee”, and “Entertainment Tonight”, Ms. Embery has continued to promote the need for a global conservation effort. Joan has led wildlife expedition tours to several continents and has authored several books. As a dedicated animal and environmental advocate, Ms. Embery spends her time working with
wildlife organizations and educating the public. She currently serves on the boards of the San Diego River Foundation, the Anza-Borrego Foundation and is a member of the Wildlife Health Center Advisory Board, a center in the School of Veterinary Medicine at UC Davis

John W. Farrington, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
VICE PRESIDENT for Academic Programs and
DEAN of Graduate Studies, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

John W. Farrington was named Associate Director for Education and Dean of Graduate Studies of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) in 1990. He held successive positions in the Chemistry Department for 17 years, and simultaneously for six years served as Director of the WHOI Coastal Research Center. In 1988 he was appointed Michael P. Walsh Professor and Director of the Environmental Sciences Program at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, serving in that capacity until his present appointment. He completed his Ph.D. at the University of Rhode Island. He lists more than 90 scientific publications and 15 publications in the lay press on research interests that include marine organic geochemistry, biochemistry of marine organisms, and environmental quality issues. He has served on committees and panels for international, national, and local organizations including the UNESCO-Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission, National Academy of Sciences, National Science Foundation, Office of Naval Research, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Lloyd Center for Environmental Studies, and Bermuda Biological Station for Research (Trustee). He has participated in four major field programs and 18 oceanographic cruises, eight as chief scientist.

Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., Lead Advisor
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR OF ZOOLOGY &
VALLEY PROFESSOR OF MARINE BIOLOGY, Oregon State University

Jane Lubchenco is an environmental scientist and marine ecologist actively engaged in teaching, research, synthesis, and communication of scientific knowledge. She received her Ph.D. and taught at Harvard and has been Valley Professor of Marine Biology and Distinguished Professor of Zoology at Oregon State University from 1978 to date. She is a MacArthur Fellow, and is past president of both the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and the Ecological Society of America. Her research interests include biodiversity, climate change, sustainability science, and 19 the state of the oceans. She is President of the International Council for Science, and Council Member of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, and recipient of the 2002 Heinz Award for the Environment. She served on the Pew Oceans Commission, and is a principal investigator for the Partnership for Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans.

Andreas Merkl, Lead Advisor
PRINCIPAL, California Environmental Associates

Andreas Merkl is a Principal of California Environmental Associates, providing businesses and public institutions with a range of environmental management, regulatory compliance, and sustainable business solutions. He has broad experience in environmental management consulting and venture capital. Mr. Merkl is also the managing director of the Conservation and Community Investment Forum, a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping private equity investors find and realize environmentally transformative investment opportunities. Mr. Merkl is one of the founding partners of CoreResources, an environmental technologies investment fund and consultancy, which invests approximately $3–4 million per year and provides a number of strategic planning and financial management services to environmental start-up companies. Mr. Merkl is also a founding member and adjunct consultant of McKinsey & Company's Environmental Practice, specializing in the commercialization and marketing of environmental technologies. Mr. Merkl was Vice President and cofounder of the CH2M HILL Strategy Group, a leading provider of environmental management consulting services worldwide.

Dr. Kathy Sullivan, Lead Advisor
PRESIDENT & CEO, COSI Ohio's Center of Science and Industry, Former NASA Astronaut

Dr. Kathy Sullivan, an illustrious scientist and explorer of sea and space, is committed to furthering the public’s understanding of the wonder and importance of science, math and technology. The first American woman to walk in space, Kathy is a veteran of three shuttle missions and a 2004 inductee to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. Dr. Sullivan left NASA to accept a Presidential appointment to the post of Chief Scientist at NOAA and has maintained a lifelong commitment to education—a commitment that led her to Columbus in 1996 as President and CEO of COSI. Under Dr. Sullivan’s leadership, COSI has strengthened its impact on science teaching in the classroom and its national reputation as an innovator of hands-on, inquirybased science learning resources. Dr. Sullivan has used her national visibility to promote the public's awareness and understanding of science and education. She pioneered the original Challenger Center program model and has been an advisor on numerous exhibit and multimedia projects for groups including National Geographic, and the Smithsonian Institution. In 2003, Dr. Sullivan received the Public Service Award from the National Science Board; she is also a Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

Soames Summerhays
DIRECTOR/PRODUCER, Summerhays Films, Inc.

Soames Summerhays brings a professional lifetime of passionate commitment to ocean conservation through 26 years as a biologist, naturalist, and filmmaker. A writer, director, and producer of special projects directed to conservation issues, his film career has spanned the spectrum of large format motion picture productions. Mr. Summerhays’ filmmaking career began in 1979, with the IMAX production of The Great Barrier Reef. In 1985 he founded Summerhays Films and his objective has been to raise public awareness about the importance, value, and wonder of marine and other natural ecosystems. He has produced and directed many large format films for destination theatres, IMAX theatres, theme parks, and world expositions, and he is the recipient of many awards, such as Wildscreen’s Panda Award.

Glenn Bucksbaum
PRESIDENT, The Baum Foundation—Fiscal Sponsor of America’s Ocean Challenge

Glenn Bucksbaum co-founded The Baum Foundation in 2003 in order to improve and enrich people’s lives by creating awareness in the areas of education, art, and the environment. Under his leadership, The Baum Foundation established The Baum Award for Emerging American Photographers in 2001, which provides critical support for emerging photographers each year, with a $10,000 cash award and exhibition at the Berkeley Art Museum/Pacific Film Archive. Mr. Bucksbaum is especially passionate about the conservation and preservation of the oceans, and has provided support to The Nature Conservancy to build educational tools and create economic alternatives for people using destructive fishing practices in Indonesia. Mr. Bucksbaum has worked in the commercial real estate industry for over 20 years, representing buyers and sellers of institutional-grade real estate. He has worked to secure domestic and international buyers for Arroyo & Coates, an international real estate marketing company, and Kennedy Wilson, an international auction company.

April Bucksbaum
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, The Baum Foundation—Fiscal Sponsor of the AOC Program

April Bucksbaum led the successful launch of three San Francisco based commercial film and interactive agency companies: Red Sky Films, Red Sky Interactive and Skyrocket. Mrs. Bucksbaum was a cofounder of all three companies and also served as the Vice President of New Business for over 12 years. After the successful sale of two of the firms to holding companies Omnicom and Total Creative Inc., Mrs. Bucksbaum worked for KPMG Consulting (Bearing Point) as a Senior Manager in the Financial Services arena. Mrs. Bucksbaum is recognized as a leader in the advertising and marketing field, specifically in commercial advertising, brand development, and messaging to mass media. Over the last 15 years, Mrs. Bucksbaum worked for Fortune 50 companies launching new products and services internationally. Mrs. Bucksbaum has also served as a marketing consultant and board member for several non-profit groups including: Just Think Foundation, OpNet, Bluewater Network, and the San Francisco Girls Chorus.