LEADERSHIP
Juleen Savarese – Chief Executive Officer (CEO) & General Counsel
Juleen Savarese became the CEO in January 2024 after serving as OAI’s Director of Human Resources and General Counsel since 2010. Ms. Savarese worked on all aspects of the firm’s business, including recruiting and developing strategic staffing plans, managing employees and subcontractors, bidding on new contracts, managing the firm’s relationships with government customers, and its compliance with federal, state, and local regulations. In recent years, she managed the certification of OAI as a Women-Owned Small Business and its purchase and novation of two prime government contracts.
Prior to joining OAI, Ms. Savarese worked in a variety of settings, organizations and industries, public and private. She served as an antitrust attorney and litigator at a large national law firm with stints at the Federal Trade Commission and the D.C. Corporation Council representing the District of Columbia in appellate litigation. She also helped found and operate a local nonprofit for underprivileged youth. Ms. Savarese received both her law degree and undergraduate degree in economics from the University of Virginia.
Dr. John T. Everett – Founder and President of OAI
Dr. Everett founded OAI in 2003 after his 31-year career at NOAA. OAI has grown from a few employees in 2003 to over 200 employees. He founded OAI with a strategic goal to provide outstanding scientific, administrative and technical services that are both cost and time effective. He assembled a team of highly qualified Project Managers with a deep understanding of agency mission and program requirements in order to provide the best customer experience. He is passionate about attracting, developing, and inspiring diverse talent. In addition to his responsibility for maintaining OAI’s reputation as a trusted partner, Dr. Everett is committed to growing and adapting to the changing needs of our clients and the shifting environment for federal contractors by tailoring efficient and effective strategies for clients. Earlier in his career, he was a commercial fisherman and Chapter Chair for several subjects for the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. He established and managed the UN Atlas of the Oceans. He was an Apollo Program launch vehicle and spacecraft systems engineer. Dr. Everett holds a Doctorate and Masters from Florida State University, focused on quantitative systems analysis, business administration, natural resources research, and management. He also has a Bachelor of Science in Engineering from the University of Massachusetts. For more info – BIO and full resume with publications.
Kristin L. Vehrs – Vice President and Majority Owner
Kris is the Vice President and majority owner at OAI and has served as CEO in the past. Before coming to OAI, Kris was the Executive Director of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which accredits and represents 238 zoological institutions in the US and 12 countries. For over 40 years, Kris played a key role in the growth and modernization of the zoological profession and AZA, including accreditation, professional development, animal management program, and ethics and bylaws. She helped shape the complex laws and regulations that impact zoos and aquariums in the US. Kris represented AZA before the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species, Congress, federal agencies, and state and local governments. Kris served as AZA Director of Government Affairs from 1979 until 2000, as Deputy Director from 2000 until 2005, and then as Executive Director from 2005 to January 2020.
Kris was a trusted advisor to zoo and aquarium professionals around the globe. She was a long-serving Board member of Species 360 (Global Information Serving Conservation) and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. In addition, she has provided counsel and presented to the Latin American Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Mexican Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and the South Asia Zoo Association for Regional Cooperation, among others. Kris has received the Zoological Society of London’s Award for Outstanding Service to the Zoo Community, AZA’s highest recognition, the Marlin R. Perkins Award for Professional Excellence, and WAZA’s Heini Hediger Award – its highest professional recognition. Before joining AZA as a full-time employee, Kris owned and managed KLV Associates, representing and consulting for the National Shrimp Congress, Texas Shrimp Association, and the Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums.
Kris has her bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado and her law degree from George Mason University.
Peter Milone – Director of Operations
Mr. Milone has over 30 years of experience in fisheries programs and international business management and development. As Director of Operations for OAI, he is responsible for managing and overseeing all contractual relationships, quality assurance, customer support, and employee safety, as well as ensuring that business systems critical to the functioning of OAI are in place. He held several positions with NOAA Fisheries at both the national and regional levels in the areas of fishery development, fishery management, policy research and formulation, and program management. Mr. Milone managed Federal and international fishery development and resource management programs. In addition to his NOAA career, Mr. Milone has extensive executive business experience, having started up, owned, grown, and sold two successful companies in the sports industry. He led the international marketing efforts to find and develop successful business partners for his companies in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. He has excellent analytical, organizational, management, and communication skills and is adept at managing cross-functional and cross-cultural teams to build strategic partnerships. He holds an M.S. in international law and economics from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University and a Bachelor in history and biology from the University of Vermont.
Nona S. Henderson, PhD – Director of Finance
Nona S. Henderson, PhD is a Finance & Operations Management Executive with a strong track record of success in leading finance, operations, and accounting functions for top-tier organizations. She has extensive experience in strategic planning, financial management, budgeting, and analysis. Nona is skilled in team building, leadership, and process improvement, with expertise in accounts payable/receivable, general ledger accounting, risk assessment, and staff training and development. In her career, Nona has achieved several notable accomplishments, including directing multiple departments, generating additional revenue through successful grant writing, managing budget expansions, and contributing to the growth of a CPA firm. She has a proven ability to build and lead high-performing teams, streamline organizational activities, and achieve financial goals. Nona holds a PhD in Human Services for Non-Profits from Capella University, where her research focused on community strengthening and promoting healthier lifestyles. She also has a Master’s degree in Counseling, a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Faulkner University, and an Associate’s degree in Liberal Arts. Nona’s responsibilities include accounts receivable, accounts payable, monthly reconciliations, year-end tax reporting, maintaining GAAP financial statements, and the overall financial reporting of the company.
Kelly Murray – Director of Business Development
Kelly Murray brings over 20 years of experience in development, marketing, management, and strategy consulting to her position as OAI’s Director of Business Development. She is responsible for developing growth strategies, managing the company’s proposal process, GSA schedules, and partnerships including teaming and subcontractor relationships. Kelly is results-oriented, responsive, and passionate about providing solutions for OAI customers. Kelly’s previous position was as Director of Interactive Marketing at The Nature Conservancy (TNC), where she oversaw Strategy and Communication, Membership Development, Customer Service and Web Marketing. Through her experience with 70 global decentralized TNC operating units she has a proven track record for gaining stakeholder support, being a results oriented change agent and leading large multi-disciplinary teams. Kelly received a BA in Organizational Communication and Management from Creighton University (1991) and a Master’s in Public Administration (MPA) from George Mason University (1994).
Susan Linhares – Director of IT Services, Marketing, & Recruitment
Susan has been with OAI since 2006. She is native to, and resides in, the south coast area of Massachusetts. Susan leads OAI’s recruitment and marketing, including website, social media, email list, and recruitment efforts. In addition, Susan and her team works collaboratively with other PMs to maintain an outstanding talent pool for our customers. Susan is passionate about using social media and other web-based tools to share exciting OAI and employee news and successes with all our constituents. She has previously served as an OAI PM for our NOAA Greater Atlantic Regional Field Office (GARFO) Office of Law Enforcement work in Gloucester, MA. She has extensive experience in social media and photography. She has won numerous awards in both, such as ‘Who to Follow on Twitter’ and ‘Top 100 Scientific Twitter Feeds’ along with a number of photography awards starting when she was just 11 years old. Her photos and videos have been featured on many national and local news outlets. Susan is also an accomplished public speaker, appearing on national and local news and television programs along with leading conferences and discussion groups. Susan has a degree in Business Marketing and Travel/Tourism from Kinyon Campbell Business School in New Bedford, MA. She is also a certified scuba diver and an NWS SKYWARN Storm Spotter.
Bonnie Freeman – Director of Employment Compliance and Assistant General Counsel
Ms. Freeman spent more than 20 years as a commercial real estate attorney, mainly in house at public lodging investment companies, working on legal issues and transactions in the lodging industry. She was originally with OAI from 2012 to 2018 and returned in 2024. At OAI, Ms. Freeman focuses on a wide variety of matters including state and federal labor law compliance, company policies, insurance, employee benefits and support, and government contracting compliance. Ms. Freeman holds a B.A. in economics and urban studies from Brown University and a J.D. from Duke University School of Law.
Paul Crow – Form I-9 Compliance Manager & Recruitment Assistant
Paul brings over 35 years of experience in Information Technology, with a career that has spanned both the oilfield and healthcare sectors. Originally from Texas and now residing in Florida, he has developed a strong background in systems management, operational efficiency, and compliance.
Since joining OAI in 2020, Paul has played a key role in supporting recruitment operations and ensuring full adherence to federal Form I-9 employment eligibility requirements. His work contributes to the smooth hiring and onboarding of new employees, and the organization’s overall compliance efforts.
Outside of his professional responsibilities, Paul enjoys spending time on the ocean, where he finds relaxation and inspiration.
Tonya Green – Accounting Manager
Tonya Green, an Accounting Manager, brings over 25 years of expertise in government contract accounting. She is a hands-on professional adept at managing full-cycle accounting processes and providing contract administration support.
Tonya excels at optimizing resources to prevent contract overruns, ensuring timely, high-quality deliverables that maximize profits and foster repeat business. She has successfully led the migration, implementation, and administration of multiple cloud-based financial and project management software systems. Tonya is a member of the Maryland Metro Chapter of the National Contract Management Association (NCMA). She attended the University of Maryland, University College.
Nancy Hooper – Assistant to DIrector of Human Resources
Nancy has been providing support for Human Resource functions at OAI for more than 10 years. She has primary responsibility for the management and oversight of employee records, timekeeping functions, and various types of analytical reports related to employees. Her detail-oriented and analytical approach to tracking and maintaining accurate records, coupled with her responsiveness to employee inquiries about procedures and policies, are key components contributing to a positive relationship between management and employees. Nancy’s early career was as a consultant (primarily on NOAA and NASA contracts) specializing in research and analyses related to remote sensing data from earth resources satellites. She transitioned from a remote sensing career path to human resources and accounting when she became a key participant in the start-up of a new company to develop and market accounting software. Over the following years, she worked in a variety of settings and industries, providing human resource, payroll, accounting, and administrative services, as well as managing projects and technical staff. Nancy has a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from Trevecca Nazarene College and a Master’s degree in Engineering Science (specializing in Remote Sensing) from the University of Tennessee Space Institute.
Zachary Duckworth – Research Analyst
Zachary Duckworth joined OAI in 2021 as an ESA Support Scientist within NOAA Fisheries (NMFS) West Coast Region, providing him an opportunity to build off his extensive experience in database management, environmental policy, and marine ecology from his work with NMFS Northwest Fisheries Science Center (NWFSC) and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW). In 2022, he transitioned to the OAI business development team as a Research Analyst where he manages opportunity forecasting and past performance databases, develops proposals, and provides support to project managers. He also serves as the lead appraisal associate for the Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) team. Zachary graduated with a B.S. in Marine and Conservation Biology from Seattle University in 2019.
Dr. Tracy Collier – Project Manager
Dr. Collier has over 35 years of experience at NOAA Fisheries, 8 years of experience with California’s Delta Independent Science Board, 3 years of experience as the Science Director for Washington State’s Puget Sound Partnership, and 5 years serving as the Science Advisor to NOAA’s Oceans and Human Health Initiative. Together with his extensive experience serving as a consultant on oil spills for First Nations in Canada and for natural resource damage assessment cases nationally, Dr. Collier has a broad science background to apply to his PM role at OAI. Tracy serves as a lead PM for NOAA Fisheries offices and laboratories on the West Coast and is cross-trained to provide backup to fellow PMs. Tracy’s areas of expertise include environmental toxicology (especially for fish, sea turtles, and marine mammals), the application of science to protect and restore complex ecosystems, and how human health is affected by environmental conditions. He has worked in virtually all coastal areas of the United States, and has a broad portfolio of international consulting experience as well. Dr. Collier has over 170 scientific publications, and received his PhD from the University of Washington’s College of Fisheries.
Dr. Daniel J. Grosse – Project Manager
Dan, with a marine biology and environmental policy background, brings over 30 years of experience in government (including NOAA and the U.S. Navy), foundation, university, consulting, and agriculture sectors to his PM role at OAI. Dan serves as lead PM for the NOAA HQ Office International Affairs program and is cross-trained to provide backup to fellow PMs. Dan is co-founder and president of TerrAqua Environmental Science and Policy, LLC, a Chincoteague, VA-based environmental consulting firm focusing on aquaculture and agriculture development. Dan is an expert in Blue Economy and ocean resource stewardship. He is helping to commercialize a marine recirculating aquaculture technology developed by the University of Maryland. He is an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland University College Graduate Program in Environmental Management. Staying active in the oceans and environmental research community, Dan can help recruit top subject-matter experts. Dan has a B.S. in Natural Resources from the University of Michigan and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Fisheries Biology from the University of Washington.
Ms. Paula Keener – Project Manager
Paula Keener is an OAI PM for several NOAA contracts, including the National Ocean Service (NOS) Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services and the NOS Blanket Purchase Agreement contract. She has 18 years of experience as a Program Management Analyst in NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research, where she established a successful national education program and later headed up Environmental Compliance. She served on Detail to the NOAA Research Ocean Acidification Program and Office of International Activities. She has developed communication and engagement strategies and served as the PM on numerous NOAA grants and Co-Operative Agreements. Prior to joining NOAA, she was a marine biologist with the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR), Marine Resources Division where she gained extensive experience in inshore and offshore fisheries research, including equipment deployment, sample collection, processing, archival, larval fish identification, life history studies and histological laboratory management. She serves on the South Atlantic Fisheries Management Council’s Habitat and Ecosystem-based Management Advisory Panel, the SCDNR’s MRD Marine Advisory Committee and is engaged with the South Carolina Aquarium. She is a member of the Editorial Board for The Journal of Ocean Technology. She is located in Charleston, SC.
Dr. Judy Lemus – Project Manager
Dr. Judy Lemus has three decades of work experience in marine science and education with both NOAA Sea Grant and universities in California and Hawaii, focusing her research on marine symbioses and the physiological response of host organisms to their symbionts, as well as adaptation to environmental change. Dr. Lemus has designed marine science curricula, workshops, and courses for over 20 years. Her recent educational endeavors involve community-based participatory research, novel technologies, exploratory learning environments, and professional development opportunities that encourage synergies between science and art and integrate different ways of knowing. She is a faculty specialist at the UH Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology working in science education and research related to the impact of climate change on tropical marine organisms. Several collaborations have provided Dr. Lemus with a strong understanding of the core mission and organizational structure of NOAA in the Hawaii/Pacific region. She received a B.S. and M.S. degree in biological sciences from UCLA and a PhD. from the University of Southern California.
Patricia Lawson – Project Manager
Patricia is one of OAI’s Project Managers (PM) for NOAA. Patricia resides in Washington, DC, focusing primarily on NOAA HQ contracts. Before joining OAI, Patricia spent over 20 years with NOAA Fisheries, including 16 years as a Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) Level III in the Office of Protected Resources. She has extensive knowledge of contract management and oversaw 22 contractors and a portfolio of approximately $25M for NOAA. Patricia brings a unique perspective to the PM role, having been a NOAA COR. Her experience in managing technical requirements, familiarity with NOAA, the procurement process, budgeting and contract quality, schedule and cost control allows her to excel in her role as a PM ensuring seamless communication with customers, employees and project success. Patricia has an MA in Marine Affairs and Policy from the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric Science, University of Miami and a BA in Environmental Studies from Florida International University.
Bruce Morehead – Project Manager
Bruce has been with OAI since 2005 and brings 40 years of experience in environmental services to his role as PM for NOAA HQ Office of Protected Resources (OPR). Bruce has spearheaded this OPR work since 2012, utilizing his extensive background in fisheries. Bruce spent his career at NOAA Fisheries in a wide variety of positions, including in the areas of fishery development, seafood safety, industry economics, utilization research, fishery disaster relief, aquaculture, and fishery management, where he served as Deputy and Acting Director for the NOAA Fisheries Office of Sustainable Fisheries. He has broad experience in policy formulation, program development, and management. He has been recognized for his achievements with a Department of Commerce Gold Medal, NOAA Administrator’s Award, the NOAA Distinguished Career Award, and the Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration’s Special Citation. He holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from American University and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Gettysburg College.
Matt Morris – Project Manager
Matt Morris is one of OAI’s West Coast Project Managers (PM). He is the primary PM for NOAA’s Southwest Fisheries Science Center, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, Fish Ecology Division of the Northwest Fisheries Science Center, and various task orders at the West Coast Regional offices. Matt spent over a decade in fisheries research, leading survival and timing studies of Pacific Salmonids in the Columbia River as a contractor to NOAA. Before that, he was involved in Dungeness crab research in Alaska and Oregon. Matt brings a unique perspective to the PM role, having recently been under contract as an OAI employee. His experience in project and personnel management, understanding of regional scientific issues, and relatability as a recent contract employee allow him to excel in his role as a PM. He strives to provide exceptional support to OAI’s customers and employees and make OAI a place at which everyone wants to work. Matt has an MBA from Pacific University and a BS in Fisheries and Wildlife Science from Oregon State University.
Eric Newton – Associate Director of Science Programs
Eric Newton has been with OAI since 2020. His diverse contributions span various business areas, ranging from scientific research to business development. As the Associate Director of Science Programs, he is responsible for grant writing, federal grant management, conducting and supporting original research, and managing OAI’s summer internship program. His work at OAI includes critical topics such as marine mammal conservation, shellfish aquaculture, and climate change. Eric holds a BS in Environmental Policy and Planning from Virginia Tech (2019). Currently, he is pursuing a Master of Environmental Management at Duke University.
Emily Shallow – Project Manager
Emily Shallow is one of OAI’s Project Managers. She currently supports NOAA National Ocean Service (NOS) and National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) task orders on the East Coast and provides overall program support to OAI HQ. Her task orders span numerous branches, including the NOS Office of Coast Survey (OCS), NOS Information Management Office (IMO), and NMFS Social Science Branch (SSB). Emily has a background in marine fisheries ecology and conservation, including a wide variety of field and laboratory research experience. Her work history includes scientific diving, fisheries-independent surveying, stable isotope analysis, salmon population modeling, and data science as it pertains to population and ecosystem ecology. Her broad skillset in data management and fisheries research provide her with great perspective when it comes to communicating and collaborating with customers and employees. Emily has a MS in Oceanography and Coastal Sciences from Louisiana State University, and a BS in Biology, Aquatic Sciences, from the University of Wisconsin – La Crosse.
