DECK OFFICERS

Executive Officer - LT Jeffrey Shoup, Hometown: Oak Park, IL

LT Shoup attended Miami University, in Oxford, OH, where he earned Chemistry, Chemistry Education, and Physics Education degrees. LT Shoup earned an Executive Masters in leadership from the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Prior to joining the Dyson, he was the Operations Officer at SARSAT – a multi-agency program (USAF, USCG, NASA, NOAA) involved in the operation of the international satellite rescue program. LT Shoup enjoys Goldfish, Red Vines, travelling, hiking with his dog, and volleyball.

• 2002-2005, Navigation Officer on Ronald H. Brown
  
• 2005-2009, SARSAT Operations Support Officer

Field Operations Officer - LT Sarah Duncan, Hometown: Derby, KS

LT Duncan joined the Oscar Dyson wardroom in September of 2009. She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology with a minor in Math from the University of Oklahoma. LT Duncan is a NOAA Working Diver, Medical Person-In-Charge and Diving Medical Technician. She holds a 100 GT Near Coastal Masters License with Radar and STCW endorsements, and is currently working toward obtaining her 1600 GT Third Mate License. In her free time, she enjoys gourmet cooking, live music, and outdoor adventures of any kind.

• 2004-2005: Navigation Officer on Hi'ialakai
  
• 2005-2006: Operations Officer on Hi'ialakai
  
• 2006-2009: Pacific ENSO Applications Climate Center, Outreach Officer

Medical Officer and Safety Officer- LTjg Nathan E. Witherly, Hometown: Reno, NV

ENS Witherly, a native of Toronto, Canada, enrolled at UC Santa Cruz, CA finishing with a Bachelor of Arts in Biology. He spent some time as a fisheries observer for NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service on the East Coast and crewing on yachts from the East Coast to Europe. Before joining the NOAA Corps, he served 4 years in the U.S. Coast Guard on the USCGC Sockeye out of Bodega Bay, CA and the USCGC Active out of Port Angeles, WA.

Nathan also holds a 200 GT Near Coastal Masters Licence with Radar and STCW endorsements, and a Merchant Mariner's Document of Able Bodied Seaman, Limited.

Navigation, Environmental Compliance, and Dive Officer- ENS Faith C. Opatrny, Hometown: Northfield, MN

ENS Opatrny joined the Oscar Dyson Wardroom in July of 2007. She is a graduate of Florida State University, Tallahassee, Florida, with a Bachelor of Science in Biology and Honors in Marine Ecology. ENS Opatrny is a NOAA Working Scuba Diver. She also enjoys traveling, biking, climbing, snowboarding, volunteering, and visiting friends and family.

Junior Officer- ENS Russell D. Pate, Hometown: Columbia, MO

ENS Pate joined the Oscar Dyson in December of 2008. He earned a B.S. in Geology & Geophysics from Missouri University of Science & Technology and an M.S. in Earth & Environmental Sciences from Vanderbilt University. Prior to earning his M.S. degree ENS Pate worked for the U.S. Geological Survey and as an environmental consultant. He is currently working towards his Coast Guard Third Mate's license.