Executive Director

Annie has spent her career working to improve ocean resource management through advocacy and regulatory initiatives. Prior to joining RODA, she provided government relations support to a variety of fishing industry and ocean technology clients with a Washington, D.C. law firm. She previously held positions in fisheries management and marine regulation including at the New England Fishery Management Council and NOAA’s Large Marine Ecosystems program. Throughout her career she has specialized in working with public and private sector partners to develop practical, science-based solutions to business, policy, and environmental challenges.

Annie holds Juris Doctor and Master of Marine Affairs degrees from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Conservation Biology and Political Science from the University of Wisconsin.

As RODA’s Research Director, Fiona will be the point of contact for any grants RODA is working on. Prior to joining RODA, she worked at the New England Fishery Management Council.

Fiona completed her Ph.D. at SMAST and Master of Science degree from the University of Massachusetts Intercampus Marine Science Graduate Program and a B.A. in Zoology from Trinity College, Dublin.

Lane Johnston works to bridge the emerging offshore development sector with U.S. commercial fishing operations, in the context of scientific efforts and existing marine policy. As RODA’s Programs Manager since 2019, she continues to work with fishing industry members to collect input to inform RODA’s focal areas, help improve communication of the ongoing status of offshore development projects, and develop solutions to priority issues identified by the U.S. commercial fishing sector.

Lane graduated from University of Delaware’s School of Marine Science and Policy with a M.S. in Marine Biology. Originally from the West Coast, Lane received her Bachelors degree in Environmental Studies from University of Southern California.

Mike brings to RODA knowledge and experience obtained by spending years on the water operating commercial and charter fishing vessels.  Mike is also a licensed attorney in the State of California whose practice focused on small businesses, fisheries management and policy, and administrative processes.  Mike is the Vice Chair of the Pacific Fishery Management Council’s Highly Migratory Species Advisory Subpanel and Co-Chair of the Marine Planning Committee.

Mike joins RODA from the Pacific Coast Federation of Fishermen’s Associations (PCFFA) where he served as Executive Director. He has been involved in offshore wind issues off the west coast since three Call Areas were identified off California in late fall of 2018.  He is also involved with NOAA’s efforts to identify and establish Aquaculture Opportunity Areas within the Southern California Bight.

Steven is a management consultant who has spent a decade working at the intersection of technology and people. As a Partner at Concitor, Steven works with leading technology and industrial firms like Dell, NEC, Honeywell and Ingersoll Rand to help their management teams find and exploit growth opportunities by capitalizing on emerging technologies and implementing cutting edge organizational models. He also works with smaller mission-based organizations to develop new technology-driven ways to deliver their services more effectively. Recently, Steven has focused on helping independent organizations use technology to pool and market their operational data to solve industry-wide problems while retaining ownership and control over one of their most strategically important assets.

Emily Patrolia combines environmental science expertise and strategic policy engagement to drive success for her clients.

Emily served as Congressional staff on the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation where she spearheaded legislation and guided priorities at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the U.S. Coast Guard, among others. Emily is a subject matter expert on oceans and environmental policy, starting her career advising state governments and regional entities on smart, science-based policies to benefit local economies and plan for the future. Most recently, Emily worked in the private sector, influencing domestic and international policy through advocacy, partnerships, and data-driven solutions. She advised clients on natural resource regulations, supply chain management, and environmental and ocean policy.

Emily received her Master’s in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island and her Bachelor’s from the University of Delaware.