Programs & Operations
Sherry Flumerfelt
Executive DirectorSherry has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the nonprofit sector, working with coastal communities to advance ocean health and sustainability. Since joining the Western Flyer Foundation as its first Executive Director in July 2022, she has guided the organization’s strategic vision, overseeing planning, fundraising, program development, and community outreach to fulfill its mission of merging science and art aboard the iconic Western Flyer.
Prior to this, Sherry served as the founding executive director of the Monterey Bay Fisheries Trust, where she championed sustainable fisheries and supported local fishing communities. She also worked as a consultant for organizations such as the Environmental Defense Fund, the Marine Life Protection Act Initiative, and the California Fisheries Fund, focusing on innovative solutions for ocean conservation. Earlier in her career, Sherry was a program manager at the Coral Reef Alliance, where she designed and led international education and conservation initiatives in locations including Fiji, Micronesia, Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia.
Born and raised in London, Ontario, Canada, Sherry holds an MA in Anthropology and International Development from the University of Guelph and a BA in Anthropology from McMaster University. Now based in Pacific Grove, she lives with her sons and enjoys exploring the coastline that has been the backdrop to her life’s work.
Rials Christensen
Director of Education and ScienceRials Christensen is a scientist, educator, and passionate science communicator who brings a deep commitment to hands-on, interdisciplinary education. As Director of Education & Science at the Western Flyer Foundation, she leads the organization’s education programs and helps guide its growing research initiatives, scientific partnerships, and expedition-based learning opportunities. She is especially passionate about creating experiences that connect students directly with the ocean, scientific inquiry, and the legacy of exploration embodied by the Western Flyer.
Rials earned her Ph.D. and M.S. in Earth Science from Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and holds a B.S. in Environmental Geoscience from the University of Utah. Her teaching experience spans shipboard expeditions, outdoor classrooms, museums, and college labs. Most recently, she worked as an educator at Birch Aquarium at Scripps, where she developed and delivered programs for learners of all ages—including underserved communities through the Seaport Program.
With a background in geology, paleobiology, and marine science, Rials sees science as a powerful tool for environmental stewardship. She believes education is most impactful when it’s inclusive, creative, and cross-disciplinary—and she’s excited to help bring the Western Flyer’s mission to life for the next generation of ocean stewards.
Logan Mermin
Development ManagerLogan is an artist, educator, and fundraising professional with more than a decade of nonprofit experience. Born and raised in Pacific Grove, she earned a bachelor’s degree in environmental science from Western Washington University and a graduate certificate in science illustration from UC Santa Cruz Extension.
As a development professional, Logan has secured foundation support, launched new donor initiatives, and helped local nonprofits strengthen their fundraising tools and strategies. She combines fundraising expertise with a passion for connecting people to science and art, making her a strong addition to the Western Flyer team.
Earlier in her career, Logan worked as an Interpretive Park Ranger in Yosemite and taught art and science at York School in Monterey—roles that sharpened her skills in education and communication. She brings this combined background to the Western Flyer Foundation, where she is excited to advance its mission of blending science and art to inspire curiosity.
In her free time, Logan enjoys gardening, running, making art, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her family in Santa Cruz.
You can explore Logan's artwork at: parsonsillustration.com
Kaitlyn Ponce
Community Outreach CoordinatorKaitlyn is a recent Cabrillo College alumna and is pursuing her undergraduate degree in Marine Science at California State University, Monterey Bay. Kaitlyn is a community scientist with NOAA’s Phytoplankton Monitoring Network and a lab volunteer with the Sunflower Star Laboratory in Moss Landing. She jumped onboard with the Western Flyer Foundation as a volunteer and student science mentor in 2023. Participating in programs blending science and art such as the Western Flyer Foundation’s Mentoring Ecosystem. She currently works with the foundation as the Community Outreach Coordinator and is eager to contribute to the accessibility and intersectionality of marine science through art and literature.
Arturo Ramírez-Valdez
Science Coordinator – MexicoArturo Ramírez is a marine conservation biologist dedicated to the study and protection of coastal ecosystems in Baja California Peninsula and the Gulf of California. With a background in rocky intertidal, rocky reef, and kelp forest ecosystems, Arturo integrates field-based science with community engagement and conservation strategy. Arturo is also deeply passionate about teaching and mentoring at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. His work bridges ecological research and education, with a strong commitment to mentoring the next generation of marine scientists.
Arturo earned his Ph.D. from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at UC San Diego, where he investigated how the U.S.–Mexico border shapes our understanding and management of shared marine resources. This binational perspective continues to inform his research, conservation initiatives, and collaborations.
He currently serves as a Research Associate at Fauna del Noroeste (Fauno) and is the lead researcher of the Giant Sea Bass Project, a binational research and conservation initiative focused on Stereolepis gigas, the largest bony reef fish found in Mexican and Californian waters. He is also an active collaborator with the Western Flyer Foundation, assisting with the acquisition of Mexican research permits and contributing to the development of technical documentation that supports marine scientific investigations. He is honored to be part of the Western Flyer’s crew as Scientist for Leg 4 of its historic return voyage to the Gulf of California.
Arturo previously served as a Research Professor at CIAD Guaymas and as an Associate Professor at the Universidad Autónoma de Baja California, where he collaborated to develop research programs and taught and mentored students in marine ecology and conservation. He has extensive experience collaborating with non-profit organizations, developing research programs, and conservation efforts. Arturo’s work has been recognized with the Mexican Oceanography Award and the Ichthyology National Award for his research on the marine biogeographic regionalization of the Baja California peninsula. He is also a recipient of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund grant for his cross-border research on giant sea bass populations.
Arturo is particularly passionate about the intersection of academia, non-profit organizations, coastal communities, and government. He is skilled in translating complex scientific concepts into accessible knowledge, helping to connect research with the real-world needs. Through this work, he fosters collaboration across sectors to support evidence-based marine conservation and resource management.
Aracely Rojas
Community Program Coordinator - MexicoAracely is a dedicated professional with experience in logistics management and community engagement, deeply committed to environmental stewardship and education. She holds a degree in Marine Biology with a focus on Coral Reefs from the Autonomous University of Baja California Sur and has completed the Place-Based Education Program at Teton Science School. Additionally, she is a certified Wilderness First Responder and is fluent in both Spanish and English.
Eager to leverage her skills and experience, she aims to foster meaningful community connections and support impactful initiatives like the Return of the Western Flyer to the Sea of Cortez. Outside of her professional pursuits, Aracely enjoys immersing herself in nature through swimming, scuba diving, hiking, and trail running.
Aaron Rosenfield
Science InstructorAaron is a Paleontologist, Outdoor Skills Instructor, and Wildlife Guide, with over a decade of experience in each, and holds a B.S. in Earth and Planetary Sciences from UC Santa Cruz. With his interdisciplinary background, he aims to make connections between the past, the present, and the future in environmental topics, with the message that no environment exists in a vacuum. He has a special interest in birds, and has been guiding birdwatching outings on the Elkhorn Slough since 2016. He is also a volunteer lab technician for the Sunflower Sea Star Lab.
As a Paleontologist, he has worked on dig sites all over the Western United States from Montana’s Hell Creek with the University of Washington, to Dr. Seuss’s house in San Diego for the San Diego Natural History Museum.
Aaron also has a background in classical and experimental music, and plays Hurdy Gurdy, Contrabass, and Banjo, among others. He also makes music using field recordings of wildlife, as a way to appreciate the huge variation in species that live in and migrate to the Monterey Bay.
Arianna Torres
Science Illustration InternArianna Torres is from Phoenix, Arizona, and recently moved to Monterey for the Science Illustration program at CSUMB. She has been an artist for as long as she can remember, and her love for the natural world grew immensely when she started going to school. After earning her bachelor’s degree in biology, she knew she still wanted to pursue her passion for art. She’s excited to be part of the Western Flyer Foundation, where she can encourage young people to explore marine science in a curious and creative way. After this internship, she aspires to continue serving her community and the science world with her visual talents.
Crew
Paul Tate
CaptainCaptain Paul is a U.S. Coast Guard–certified Master with decades of experience on fishing boats, private yachts, and research vessels. He has served as Captain of the Western Flyer since spring 2023.
Paul started his maritime career with the US Coast Guard in the 1960s, where he became interested in marine science and commercial fishing. He pursued a BS in Fisheries Management from the University of Washington, then spent the next ten years as a fisheries biologist with the Alaska Department of Fish & Game. In the late 1970s, Paul decided to try his hand at commercial fishing and became the Captain of a Bering Sea crab boat, where he spent the next five years.
As much as Captain Paul loved being a commercial fisherman, he and his wife decided it was time for an adventure. In 1984, they and their young son went cruising by sail throughout Mexico, Central America, and the eastern part of the United States. After a stretch running vessel deliveries, he joined Carlson Companies of Minneapolis, a private international company engaged in hospitality, travel, and corporate incentive. There he enjoyed a mix of people, ports, and Atlantic waters for eighteen years, working as the Captain of motor yachts between 90 and 145 feet. Nevertheless, he felt drawn back to Pacific Northwest waters and marine science, and in 2005, heeded the call.
Paul and a partner refitted the retired 108 ft Bering Sea crabber Norseman as a research vessel. He captained the Norseman for ten years, sailing on 54 research and exploration voyages from Southeast Alaska to Arctic Ocean waters. He also did a short stint with Un-Cruise Adventures as Chief Mate, worked on Oregon State University’s R/V Elakha conducting coastal and estuarine research, and has spent six years as Captain of the US Geological Survey’s R/V Alaskan Gyre.
In addition to a BS in Fisheries Management from UW, Captain Paul has received training at the US Navy Fleet Sonar School in Florida and was certified as a Boat Oregon Instructor to lead boating safety courses. We are thrilled to welcome such a seasoned Captain to our team as we launch this next exciting phase of the Western Flyer’s journey!
Philip Sconce
MatePhilip Sconce is a USCG Licensed Master with over twenty years of experience living aboard and sailing the Puget Sound and the West Coast. Throughout his career, he has worked as a yacht and commercial fishing boat rigger, mechanic, and commercial diver. He managed the rigging and hydraulic shop at Englund Marine and Industrial Supply in Newport, OR, for six years, building equipment for the fishing fleet, Oregon State University, and NOAA. While in the Puget Sound, he owned and operated Calypso Marine and Phil’s Diving Service, applying his diverse skills in yacht rigging, commercial diving, and marine education. As a marine educator, Philip has taught thousands of students about diving and the subtidal sea life of the Puget Sound through programs like South Sound Green and the City of Olympia’s Stream Team. He holds certifications as a PADI Master Diver, certified rigger, and heavy equipment operator, among others. Today, Philip contributes his extensive experience to the Western Flyer Foundation, supporting the rigging, maintenance, and operation of the Western Flyer.
Jenni Johnson
Marine TechJenni Johnson is a marine technician with nearly 10 years of experience in marine operations and field research. She has an extensive background in small boat operation and maintenance and has crewed and operated a variety of vessels in inland, nearshore, and offshore environments.
Over the course of her marine operations career, Jenni has provided vital support for scientific field operations including but not limited to deployment and recovery of oceanographic equipment, marine vertebrate surveys, water sampling, fish and invertebrate collections, novel instrument development, and dive operations. In addition to her technical expertise, Jenni conducted research on elephant seal foraging ecology using stable isotope analysis and has contributed to a wide variety of marine ecological research projects. Jenni holds a B.S. in Biology with a concentration in Marine Science from San Jose State University.
Project Support
Julie Flanders
AccountantJulie oversees the Western Flyer Foundation’s bookkeeping, payroll, and accounting services. She has experience as a CFO and a CPA, and runs her own bookkeeping and consulting business. Julie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Santa Clara University.
Tracy Corbin
Data OperationsTracy assists with Western Flyer Foundation’s data systems and processes. As a consultant, she specializes in providing operational support to nonprofits and small businesses. She previously held roles in operations and membership management with the Bay Area Ridge Trail Council and San Francisco Baykeeper.