Meet the Marine Team: Chris Pickerell
Who better to feature for our Meet the Marine Team blog series kickoff, than our own Marine Program Director, Chris Pickerell!
“The fact that I get to work with a talented group of energetic, creative, and knowledgeable people is the favorite part of my job.”
Chris has been with us for three decades, spending the better part of the past one at the helm as our Marine Program Director. He has made many contributions to this organization through the years, spending a lot of time advancing coastal and marine habitat restoration efforts, among other important initiatives. Though he’s logging way more hours at meetings and conducting presentations than on a boat or underwater these days, Chris continues to do the important work needed to keep CCE Marine Program moving in positive directions!
To learn more about Chris, check out this mini-interview we had with him recently!
How long have you been with CCE Marine Program?
2021 is my 28th year with CCE MarineWhat's your position title?
Marine Program DirectorWhat’s your favorite part of your job?
The fact that I get to work with a talented group of energetic, creative, and knowledgeable people is the favorite part of my job. Nothing gives me more satisfaction than working with a team towards a common goal to address a local issue.What part of your job would people find most surprising?
The most surprising part of my job now is that I spend the majority of my time in meetings, giving presentations, or writing. While l used to spend many a day on the water and even in the water diving, my work now is much different. Although my days are not quite as exciting as they used to be, without this work the fun stuff can’t happen.Why did you choose to build a career in marine science?
I am the son of a bayman and boat builder so I spent much of my childhood in and around the water. It was only natural that I would gravitate towards a career that included the water in some way.What's one thing you wish more people knew about CCE Marine Program?
I wish people were more aware of the depth and breadth of the work we do and how talented all of our employees are. It always amazes me how many projects we have underway at any one time throughout Long Island and beyond…What do you do for fun outside of work?
When I’m not working, I research and collect objects related to the early Manhattan oyster industry and I also garden with my wife.What’s your favorite local seafood dish?Oysters on the half shell would be my first choice, but my mother’s baked clams would be a close second.
If you could be any marine species what would you be?
A Blue whaleWhy?
These amazing creatures have long and incredible lives and are able to visit depths in the ocean that we can only dream of…
Thank you for leading the team and for all the hard work you do, Chris!
We’ll be back each week with another staff spotlight from the CCE Marine Team. Subscribe below to receive updates from both our monthly newsletter and our blog, so you never miss the latest news from CCE Marine!