Derek Brockbank is Executive Director of the Coastal States Organization (CSO), which represents the nation’s Coastal States, Territories, and Commonwealths on ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes issues. With two decades of experience in Washington DC on coastal adaptation policy and organizational development, Derek is connecting state coastal management programs with federal agencies and resources in order to address the greatest coastal challenges facing society. Derek previously served as Executive Director for the American Shore & Beach Preservation Association (ASBPA) where he led the strategic planning and outreach, government affairs, and development goals of the nation’s leading organization advocating for beach and coastal restoration. Prior to starting with ASBPA, Derek worked as campaign director for a coalition effort to restore the Mississippi River Delta and Coastal Louisiana, and was part of a gulf-wide campaign to pass the RESTORE Act, securing billions of dollars for Gulf Coast restoration. This followed up on his work with National Wildlife Federation on climate adaption. Derek grew up in New York City and got his coastal education from an early age playing on the beaches of Long Island, and kayaking and fishing in Peconic Bay.
Rebecca Dennis is CSO’s Director of Federal Affairs. In her role, she leads the development and implementation of CSOs legislative strategy. Rebecca comes to CSO with over a decade of experience of working on legislative affairs and strategic communications. She most recently served as the Associate Director of U.S. Policy and Advocacy for PAI, where she worked to advance global health and gender equity. Originally from Michigan, she holds a B.A. in International Affairs from Michigan State University, where she studied both human rights and environmental policy, and a M.A. from George Washington University. Rebecca enjoys spending her free time hiking with her dog, River, rock climbing and traveling.
Norma Longhi is CSO’s Director of Operations. Norma is an experienced professional adept at managing all aspects of administrative, financial, operational, and grants management functions to advance CSO’s and CSSF’s vision and mission. Prior to joining CSO, Norma worked as a Policy and Development Fellow for Voices for Progress where she provided invaluable support to senior staff in diverse capacities. Norma holds a B.A. in Legal Studies and a Master of Public Administration from University of Central Florida. Norma is originally from Brazil, passionate about environmental issues, and an animal lover.
Vidya Balasubramanyam (she/her/hers) is CSO’s Research, Science, and Program Director. Serving in this role since 2022, she has been coordinating across coastal zone management programs around topics like conserving coastal habitats, enhancing public access, balancing coastal land use, and facilitating community centered decision making. Prior to this, Vidya worked at the Illinois Coastal Management Program from 2019 – 2022 coordinating place based projects around shoreline management along Lake Michigan. She also brings experience working on tidal shorelines through her time at the New Hampshire Coastal Program between 2017-2019 where she worked on living shoreline projects.
John Ryan-Henry is Senior Policy Analyst for CSO. He supports CSO’s mission through legal and policy analysis of coastal issues including hazard resilience, climate adaptation, flood risk management, beneficial use of dredged materials, maritime commerce, and offshore development. He joined CSO in 2018 after working jointly with CSO and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Institute for Water Resources as a 2017 Knauss Coastal Policy Fellow. A Rhode Island native, John has a J.D. from the Roger Williams University School of Law and a Master of Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island. As a law student, he worked on coastal zone management issues with the NOAA General Counsel’s office and the Rhode Island Coastal Resources Management Council, and on regional ocean planning with SeaPlan in Boston. He is admitted to the bar in Massachusetts and Rhode Island.
Elizabeth Crocco is an Administrative Assistant with CSO, where she supports administrative and operational activities for CSO’s mission. She joined the team in 2024 after graduating from American University with a B.A. in Economics. Previously, Elizabeth interned with the U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Senate. Originally from Seattle, she enjoys outdoor activities, including hiking and sailing.
Lisa Schiavinato is the Managing Director for the Coastal States Stewardship Foundation (CSSF). As Managing Director, Lisa oversees the administration, management, legal, contracting, and budgeting for CSSF and the Regional Ocean Partnerships that are fiscally sponsored by CSSF. Lisa brings a broad range of experience to this role. She has expertise in ocean and coastal law and policy, program management, grant management, and nonprofit leadership. Prior to joining CSSF, Lisa worked with Sea Grant programs in Louisiana, North Carolina, and California and with nonprofit organizations across Southern California. Lisa holds a B.A. in Political Science from the University of South Florida and a law degree from the University of Florida Levin College of Law. Lisa is based in California, but she was raised in the Sunshine State of Florida where her fascination for all things ocean and coastal began.
Hillary Reddock is the Grants Administrator for the Coastal States Stewardship Foundation with several years of experience working in accounting and finance for organizations in the Washington, DC area. Specializing in grant compliance reporting, budget tracking and audit preparation. Prior to joining CSSF Hillary worked as the Account Payable Specialist for Civic Nation and Finance assistant for the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC News). She earned her bachelor’s degree in Political Science from The Pennsylvania State University and during her academic tenure; studied abroad at City University of London. Hillary is based in Maryland, and in her free time, she enjoys volunteering at her church Abundant Faith with local food and clothing drives providing helpful resources and opportunities to the community.
Catherine McCall (she/her) is the Maryland Coastal Management Program Director and has worked for the Department of Natural Resources for more than 18 years. In her role, she leads a team that seeks to balance the use and enjoyment of our coastal resources with their conservation need. She and her team lead a variety of initiatives related to state climate adaptation and resilient restoration, public land and waterway access, offshore energy and ocean coordination, and coastal policy and stewardship programs. Catherine’s interest in coastal management began along the shores of Lake Erie while attending Penn State and shifted to the estuarine environment while completing her master’s degree at Georgetown University working on research at the Dyke Marsh Wildlife Preserve along the Potomac River in Virginia.
Steve Holland has served as Coastal Programs Administrator for the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Office of Coastal Management since January 2003. In this position, Steve administers the Federal Consistency program, reviewing Federal agency activities to ensure that they are consistent with the policies of the Ohio Coastal Management Program. Additionally, he administers the ODNR Shipwreck Salvage Permit program and oversees various aspects of the Ohio Coastal Management Program including Coastal Management Assistance Grants, the Ohio Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, and the Office of Coastal Management’s GIS/mapping efforts. Steve maintains the coastal program website and social media and also participates in a number of annual outreach events. Prior to this position, he served as a Naturalist at Marblehead Lighthouse, Kelleys Island, and East Harbor State Parks on Lake Erie.
Steve holds a Bachelor of Arts from Bowling Green State University, Master of Public Administration from Cleveland State University, and Graduate Certificate in Coastal Studies from Nova Southeastern University.
Amber Westerbur is the Coastal Program Manager for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. In her role, Amber oversees the administration of Minnesota’s Lake Superior Coastal Program. She leads a staff who provide grant funding and support that keeps the state’s coastal area healthy, prosperous and safe. Amber holds a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science and Geology from St. Norbert College. She lives in Duluth with her husband and two children.
Jill Andrews is Chief of the Coastal Management Section for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Coastal Resources Division. She oversees the implementation of the Georgia Coastal Management Program which provides technical assistance to coastal local governments, supports research on complex and changing coastal processes, and regulates activities in coastal marshlands, tidal waterways and beaches. Her program also manages a rapidly growing farmed oyster and clam fishery and monitors water quality along Georgia’s sandy beaches. Jill has over 25 years of experience collaborating with partners and assisting communities with natural resource conservation.
Before coming to Georgia, Jill worked on coastal issues in Washington D.C. and Florida. She holds a B.S. in Biology from the University of Buffalo and a Masters in marine policy from the University of Miami.
Growing up on the Great Lakes, Jill has always been drawn to water. Today, she lives out her childhood dream on St. Simons Island where she and her husband, Paul, are raising two sons to become great stewards of the coast.
Jill is immediate past Chair of the Coastal States Organization and previously served as Treasurer and representative of the southeast region.
Ashley Reineman is the Deputy Director, Statewide Programs at the California Coastal Commission. In this role Ashley oversees a number of programmatic areas, including California’s tri-agency Coastal Management Program. Ashley has worked on ocean and coastal science and policy issues in the non-profit, academic, and government sectors for over 15 years, including beginning her career as a John A. Knauss NOAA Sea Grant Fellow on Capitol Hill. Originally hailing from eastern North Carolina, she holds a JD from the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, and a bachelors degree from the University of Virginia. Now based in Ventura, CA, Ashley loves to garden and spend time in or on the water with her family.
Jenny Orsburn is the Program Manager for the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, Lake Michigan Coastal Program (LMCP), after assisting with program approval in 2002 and serving as the Grants Specialist for many years. The Indiana LMCP invests in local projects, provides technical assistance, and supports resource management in Northwest Indiana. Jenny’s career in public service spans over two decades, working at the Federal, State and local level. Jenny is also a wildland firefighter for the National Park Service, working with Indiana Dunes National Park and was a Park Superintendent for the City of Portage, IN. Jenny received a bachelor’s degree in biology from North Central College and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Purdue University.
David Green is the Senior Deputy Director of Texas General Land Office Coastal Protection Division. At the GLO, he manages the state’s oil spill prevention and response, coastal grants, leasing of structures on submerged lands, coastal management act, coastal planning and permitting, beach and dune regulatory, coastal water resources, adopt-a-beach, and the natural resources damage assessment programs. Prior to managing the Coastal Division, David represented the agency as an attorney in Office of General Counsel. Prior to his service at the GLO, David served as an Assistant Attorney General at the Texas Attorney General’s Office in the Environmental Protection Division and was an associate attorney at Sutherland and Baron & Budd. David has a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin and a J.D. from Baylor University.
Nick Angarone is New Jersey’s Chief Resilience Officer, where he coordinates statewide policy on climate resilience. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Interagency Council on Climate Resilience. In that capacity, he leads and directs the development and implementation of the Statewide Climate Change Resilience Strategy, and provides education, training, planning, and technical assistance to local governments in their efforts to address the impacts of climate change.
Nick also serves as New Jersey’s Coastal Manager and administers the New Jersey Coastal Management Program in cooperation with NOAA and a network of programs across the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). He also manages the Office of Climate Resilience at the DEP where he oversees the Bureau of Climate Resilience Planning, the Blue Acres buyout program, and Resilient NJ, the state’s climate resilience planning program. He also represents DEP on the NJ State Planning Commission, ensuring that climate resilience, natural resource protection, and infrastructure capacity are incorporated into the planning process.
Nick holds a master’s degree in city and regional planning from the Rutgers University Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning & Public Policy and a bachelor’s degree in environmental planning and design from Rutgers University. He is a member of AICP and is a New Jersey Licensed Professional Planner.
Sarah Chang is a Senior Project Analyst with the Hawaiʻi Coastal Zone Management Program. She coordinates the implementation of the Hawaiʻi Ocean Resource Management Plan (ORMP), a statewide plan that emphasizes collaborative and integrated approaches to addressing coastal challenges. The 2020 ORMP highlights three areas of need within the coastal zone: (1) Development and Coastal Hazards, (2) Land-based Pollution, and (3) Marine Ecosystems. The ORMP relies on collaborative implementation and facilitates cross-agency projects with partners that include Federal, State, County, and community representation.
Sarah holds a B.S in Natural Resources Management from Cornell University and a Masters in Marine Biodiversity & Conservation from Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Cabo Verde and St. Lucia.
