Michael Munger - Executive Director

Michael Munger has been the Executive Director of Cook Inlet RCAC since 2003 after serving 2 years as CIRCAC's Director of Operations.  Mike brings over 32 years experience working with the oil industry in Alaska both in Cook Inlet and the North Slope.  He worked for the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation from 1989 to 2000 during which time he served as an Environmental Specialist responsible for regulatory oversight of all Cook Inlet exploration, production, and refining facilities.

Karen Delaney - Assistant Executive Director

Karen Delaney has worked for Cook Inlet RCAC since its inception in October 1990. Previously, she worked for the Kenai Peninsula Borough in the Oil Spill Office following the Exxon Valdez oil spill. Our resident historian, Karen has worked on many projects and has been influential in the development of a long-term strategic plan that describes Cook Inlet RCAC's goals and objectives for the next five years. Karen is originally from Norfolk, Virginia but has lived in Alaska since 1976. She has four children and three grandchildren.Her two dogs, Roxy and Lucy are often seen at the RCAC office. She, her new husband Tim and his daugher Hanna live in Kasilof.

Susan Saupe - Director of Science and Research

Susan Saupe received a B.S. in Chemistry (1985) and an M.S. in Chemical Oceanography (1990) from the University of Alaska Fairbanks. From 1984-88, she worked in the Bering, Chukchi, and Beaufort seas on several OCSEAP-funded projects. From 1988-91, Susan worked for the Ecosystems Center in Woods Hole, MA developing methods for determining stable isotope ratios and concentrations of DOC and DON for modeling estuarine systems. In 1990, Susan returned to Alaska temporarily for an intertidal invertebrate study and returned permanently in 1991. She joined Cook Inlet RCAC as Director of Science and Research in 1996

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Trenten Dodson - Director of Public Outreach

Trenten joined Cook Inlet RCAC in October of 2007 after serving on the council’s board as the commercial fishing interest group representative and on the environmental monitoring and protocol committee for two years. From 2001 until the fall of 2007, Trenten worked at Cook Inlet Aquaculture Association where he started as a technician and finished as their senior fisheries biologist. He is originally from Nappanee, Indiana and graduated with a bachelor’s of arts degree in biology from Wabash College in 1998. He and his wife, Bridget, cherish and most enjoy their time playing frisbee with their three dogs.  

Steve "Vinnie" Catalano - Director of Operations

Vinnie assumed the duties as the Director of Operations in February 2006. His background includes a 20-year career in the U.S. Coast Guard with an extensive background in Marine Safety as a pollution investigator, boarding officer, vessel engineer, and operator. He holds a Tankerman's license, commercial driver's license, and is qualified in all aspects of spill response. After his retirement from the Coast Guard, he worked as a Vessel Manager for Alaska Maritime Agencies; followed by employment with Cook Inlet Spill Prevention and Response, Inc. (CISPRI), as a Logistics Technician and later as an Oil Spill Tecnician. He and Robin, his wife of thirty years, have been residents of the Kenai area since 1990. Residing in Nikiski, they enjoy motorcycling, fishing and spending time with their nine grandchildren.

Maritta Newgren - Accounting, Grants Manager

Maritta moved to Alaska in 1997 with her daughter Alena from Barnum, Minnesota, and started at Cook Inlet RCAC in March of 2006. She had previously worked for CPA firm in Soldotna in bookkeeping, general ledger, and payroll services and has taken courses in business law, business management, grant management, and accounting. Maritta is an active parent on the Soldotna Silver Salmon Swim Team board, and enjoys a wide range of activities with her daughter.

Margaret French - Administrative Assistant

Margaret was born in New Mexico, moved to Alaska with her family in 1961. She graduated from Kenai Central High School; attended Kenai Peninsula Community College in Soldotna, Rick's College in Idaho, and Brigham Young University in Utah. In 1983 Margaret began work for the State of Alaska, Department of Corrections as a Clerk Typist. While with the Department of Corrections, Margaret worked at the Wildwood Correctional Center and Adult Probations. In 1987 she transferred to Department of Environmental Conservation (ADEC). During her time with ADEC, she served as a Clerk Typist, Field Office Assistant, Administrative Clerk and Environmental Program Technician. She retired from the State of Alaska on May 1, 2006 and began with Cook Inlet RCAC on May 2, 2006.