Staff
Executive Director
Kristen Fletcher
Ms. Fletcher is Executive Director of CSO where she is responsible for advancing CSO's mission by advocating for the shared state interests. Ms. Fletcher represents the interests of the Governors of coastal states and territories before federal agencies, state legislatures, state Boards and Commissions to support federal policy goals and objectives of CSO. Ms. Fletcher's current work includes leading a coalition toward reauthorization of the Coastal Zone Management Act, serving on the MMS Subcommittee on Alternative Energy, and developing legislative efforts toward adapting to climate change.
Prior to joining CSO, Ms. Fletcher directed the Marine Affairs Institute and Rhode Island Sea Grant Legal Program at Roger Williams University where she advised university researchers, federal and state agencies, and other Sea Grant constituents on ocean and coastal law issues and directed research and outreach projects. She taught Ocean and Coastal Law, Natural Resources Law, and Fisheries Law. Previously, she directed the Mississippi-Alabama Sea Grant Legal Program and was founding director of the National Sea Grant Law Center at the University of Mississippi School of Law. Ms. Fletcher earned her B.A. in Political Science and Spanish from Auburn University, J.D. from the University of Notre Dame School of Law, and a Master of Laws in Environmental and Natural Resources Law from Lewis & Clark Law School. Ms. Fletcher is President of The Coastal Society, a Senior Fellow with the Environmental Leadership Program, and a member of the South Carolina Bar.
Director of Government Affairs
Andrea Geiger
Ms. Geiger is the Director of Government Affairs at CSO. As the Director of Government Affairs, Ms. Geiger works with the Executive Director and the Governing Board to develop and implement strategic goals for Congressional and federal agency relations. She also leads the Congressional advocacy efforts and the development of support for federal appropriations and legislative priorities. Ms. Geiger serves as CSO staff for the Ocean Governance Work Group and the Habitat Work Group.
Ms. Geiger holds a B.A. in Economics from the University of Michigan and a Masters in M.S. in Marine Policy from the University of Delaware. Prior to joining CSO for a second time, Ms. Geiger served as a Coastal Policy Specialist for Perot Systems at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Coastal Services Center and a Legislative Program Manager for the Ocean Conservancy. Ms. Geiger began her policy career at CSO, serving as the Policy Analyst and representing the coastal Governors on issues that affected islands and addressed governance, land use, and habitat conservation. Previous experience includes consulting and corporate work for Accenture, Inc. and Nuveen Investments, Inc.
Policy Analyst
Julia Wyman
Ms. Wyman is the Policy Analyst at CSO. As the Policy Analyst, Ms. Wyman provides substanitive review, analysis, advice, and advocacy on congressional legislation, executive agency regulations and other initiatives related to the nation's coasts, oceans, and Great Lakes. Ms. Wyman also monitors and researches legislation, federal regulations and policies as well as drafts testimony, talking points, and prepares briefing materials for hearings and Congressional and federal agency visits. Additionally, she provides written and oral briefings on such regulations, legislation, and initiatives for the Executive Director and CSO Members. Ms. Wyman serves as the CSO staff for the Climate Change Work Group and the Islands and Corals Work Group.
Ms. Wyman holds a B.A. from Trinity College (CT) and a J.D. from the University of Maine School of Law. She is admitted to practice law in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
Policy Coordinator
Kathryn Zultner
Ms. Zultner is the Policy Coordinator at CSO. As the Policy Coordinator, Ms. Zultner is responsible for managing the CSO office and assisting with grant management and budgeting. Ms. Zultner serves as the CSO staff for the Alternative Energy Work Group and CSO's Integrated Ocean Observing System Initiatives.
Ms. Zultner holds a B.A. in Environmental Analysis and Policy and a minor in Marine Biology from Boston University.