Leadership Team

Dean Wendt: SLOSEA Program Director
Dean Wendt is an Associate Professor of Biology at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and an active participant in marine conservation advisory and policy-setting efforts. His research focuses on the physiology and ecology of marine invertebrate animals. Dean earned a BS in biology from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as well as masters and doctoral degrees in biology from Harvard University.

Dan Berman: MBNEP Director
Dan Berman has worked on coastal watershed management issues for private industry, public agencies, and since 2005, as director of the non-profit Morro Bay National Estuary Program. He is particularly interested in the challenges of understanding and incorporating scientific uncertainty in resource management decisions. Dan earned a BS in Marine Biology from UC Santa Cruz and an MS in Biological Sciences from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.

Melissa Locke: Marine Policy & Communications Manager
Melissa Locke works to connect Cal Poly's coastal marine research to the resource management decision-making process. Melissa has worked for public agencies, NGOs, and in the private sector as an environmental educator, research assistant and shareholder advocate. She earned a JD at Vermont Law School where she focused on ocean and coastal law, and a BS from the University of Michigan School of Natural Resources and the Environment.

Don Maruska: Strategy and Fisheries Policy Advisor
Don Maruska is a business consultant, facilitator and nationally published business columnist. He has more than 30 years experience helping organizations of many types including Silicon Valley startups, Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Don earned an AB from Harvard University and an MBA and JD from Stanford University.

Leslie Rebik: Program Coordinator
Leslie Rebik is the SLOSEA Program Coordinator in the Biological Sciences Department at Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. She oversees budget and contract administration as well as education and outreach activities, logistics and the day-to-day operations of the program. Leslie earned a BS in Agricultural Science and an MS in Agriculture from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.