Chief Electronics Technician - Richard Conway, Hometown: Lynnwood, WA

#1 Fan of the Seattle Seahawks, Richard also likes roller coasters, designing logos, brochures, and Christmas cards and is abnormally happy. 5 years in NOAA, Richard has worked on the NOAA Ship Fairweather.

Chief Electronics Technician - Eric Thompson, Hometown: Ventura, CA

Eric served in the U.S. Navy for 8 years aboard the USS Keywest SSN 722, with short patrols on the USS Cincinnati SSN 693 and USS Atlanta SSN 712 as Sonar Supervisor, Scuba Diver and Sonar Technician. Following the Navy, Eric attended Nevada Community College and worked for Raytheon for 6 years. He has worked for NOAA for the past 3 years aboard the Thomas Jefferson. Eric’s hobbies include scuba diving and surfing.

Electronics Technician - Kirk Andreopoulos , Hometown: Piraeus, Greece

Kirk served 26 ½ years in the U.S. Navy as a Data System Technician, and retired as Senior Chief. Kirk also has a B.S. in Training Education & Development with a minor in Workforce Management from the University of Southern Illinois. He has worked for Defense contractors, Comtek, PRC, Northrop Grumman, and General Dynamics Information Technology working on grooming navy vessels and submarines. The Okeanos Explorer is Kirk’s first NOAA assignment. He now resides in Virginia Beach, VA..