CFRF STAFF
Executive Leadership
Email: dbethoney@cfrfoundation.org
Phone: 401-515-4662
Dr. N. David Bethoney
Executive Director
Leads the Commercial Fisheries Research Foundation’s research programs, partnerships, and strategic direction.
Dave is an applied fisheries scientist with extensive experience conducting research with the commercial fishing industry. His work focuses on collaborative science that addresses real-world challenges, including improving data for stock assessments, conservation gear engineering, offshore wind impacts, and sustainable fisheries management across New England and beyond.
He holds both an M.S. and Ph.D. in Marine Science from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology.
Administrative Staff
Email: twinneg@cfrfoundation.org
Phone: 401-515-4890
Teresa “Terry” Winneg
Business Manager
Oversees financial operations, accounting, and administrative systems that support CFRF’s research programs.
Terry brings more than 20 years of experience in accounting and financial management across multiple industries and regions. Her work ensures the organization operates efficiently and responsibly, supporting both day-to-day operations and long-term project success.
She holds a B.S. in Accounting from the University of Rhode Island.
Senior Staff
Email: singlis@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Dr. Susan Inglis
Senior Research Associate
Leads research on sea scallop social-ecological vulnerability, ghost gear removal, prevention, and monitoring, and the CFRF’s health and safety program.
Susan brings decades of experience in fisheries science and leads applied research that addresses critical challenges facing the industry. Her work includes advancing solutions to marine debris, overseeing the CFRF’s health and safety program, and collaborating on projects to assess the vulnerability of the sea scallop fishery and co-develop practical, science-based management recommendations.
She earned her Ph.D. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks.
Email: mlong@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Michael “mike” Long
Senior Research Biologist
Leads major field research programs, including ventless trap surveys, telemetry studies, and innovative fisheries projects.
Mike specializes in applied, collaborative fisheries research and long-term monitoring, working closely with commercial fishermen to design and implement field surveys. His work spans fisheries surveys, acoustic telemetry, and emerging initiatives such as industry-funded research fleets and the exploration of sustainable seafood markets such as Ike Jime. By combining hands-on fieldwork with innovative approaches, he generates data that supports sustainable fisheries and effective impact monitoring.
He holds a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island and completed graduate research at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Email: nolsen@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Noelle Olsen
Senior Research Biologist
Leads long-term research initiatives, including the Lobster and Jonah Crab and Shelf Research Fleet programs, as well as fisheries monitoring and sustainable seafood development projects.
Noelle specializes in collaborative fisheries science that connects fishermen, researchers, and managers to address real-world data needs. Her work spans lobster and Jonah crab research, oceanographic data collection, the development of sustainable seafood markets, and fisheries monitoring. Noelle’s work supports stock assessments and sustainable fisheries management.
She holds a B.S. from Boston University and an M.S. from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore.
Email: lstoltz@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Linus Stoltz
Data Manager
Leads data management and information technology support for CFRF, including the development of tools for data analysis, reporting, and applications such as stock assessments.
Linus specializes in translating complex fisheries and oceanographic data into accessible, usable systems that support research and decision-making. His work focuses on improving data quality, streamlining analysis, and integrating fisheries-dependent observations into accessible and actionable data products.
He holds a B.S. from the University of North Carolina Wilmington and an M.S. from Oregon State University.
Email: hverkamp@cfrfoundation.org
Phone: 401-515-3060
Hannah Verkamp
Senior Research Associate
Leads the Black Sea Bass Research Program and oversees CFRF’s outreach and education program.
Hannah combines fisheries research with a strong focus on science communication and public engagement. Her work includes leading research to fill data gaps for black sea bass while also developing programs that connect fishermen, students, and the broader community to CFRF’s work. Through both research and outreach, she helps ensure that fisheries science is accessible, relevant, and impactful.
She holds a B.S. from the University of Arkansas and an M.S. from the University of New England.
Research Staff
Email: jdasilva@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Jillian “Jill” DaSilva
Research Biologist
Supports field research and data collection across sea scallop and offshore wind survey projects.
Jill works closely with partners to collect, process, and analyze fisheries data. Through hands-on fieldwork and collaboration with researchers and industry partners, she helps generate the data needed to support sustainable fisheries management.
She earned her B.S. in Marine Biology from the University of Rhode Island.
Phone:
Vincent “Vinny” Deingeniis
Research Biologist
Supports CFRF’s field research programs, including ventless lobster trap surveys, telemetry studies, and experimental fishing gear projects such as automated squid and fish jig systems.
Vinny’s work focuses on marine resource monitoring and applied research that supports sustainable fisheries. Through hands-on fieldwork and data analysis, he contributes to improving fisheries monitoring and supporting sustainable resource management. He also brings experience in water quality monitoring and long-term ecosystem research in Narragansett Bay.
He holds both a B.S. and M.S. in Marine Affairs from the University of Rhode Island.
Email: rdener@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Ruby Dener
Research Biologist
Leads and supports trawl surveys and conservation gear research, including offshore wind monitoring projects.
Ruby’s work focuses on collaborative trawl-based surveys addressing topics such as offshore energy impacts and fisheries safety. She also has experience in larval lobster surveys and deep-sea ecology, and is committed to advancing sustainable fisheries through cooperative, industry-driven research.
She holds a B.S. in Environment & Sustainability from Cornell University.
Email: lmcginnis@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Luca McGinnis
Research Biologist
Supports field research operations and data analysis and management.
Luca brings expertise in quantitative fisheries science, with a focus on collaborative research that integrates scientific data and fishermen’s knowledge. Their work contributes to offshore wind farm monitoring, improving stock assessments, and increasing fishing-vessel-based oceanographic monitoring.
They hold a B.S. from Boston University and an M.S from the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth School for Marine Science and Technology.
Email: jmoore@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
John “Jack” Moore
Research Associate
Supports ghost gear removal and monitoring efforts, offshore windfarm monitoring, and health and safety programs.
Jack brings over a decade of firsthand experience as a commercial fisherman in Rhode Island. His industry knowledge and strong community connections help ensure CFRF’s research is practical, relevant, and grounded in real-world fishing operations.
He holds a B.S. from the University of Rhode Island.
Email: mrodriguez@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Matthew “Matt” Rodriguez
Research Biologist
Leads alternative gear research, including automated fishing technologies and innovative survey methods.
Matt’s background combines marine biology, field surveys, and fisheries technology. His work focuses on improving data collection and reducing environmental impacts through gear innovation, including leading the CFRF’s automatic squid jigging research program.
He holds a B.S. from Florida State University and an M.S. from Coastal Carolina University.
Email: rsmoak@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Rebecca “Becky” Smoak
Research Biologist
Leads CFRF’s sea scallop research programs, including image-based monitoring.
Becky’s work focuses on improving data collection for the Atlantic sea scallop and testing gear modifications within the scallop dredge fishery. She collaborates with scientists and industry partners to develop data-driven tools that support stock assessments and fisheries management.
She holds a B.S. from Washington State University and an M.S. from Oregon State University.
Email: esoranno@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Elizabeth “Lizzy” Soranno
Research Biologist
Leads the CFRF’s quahog transplant initiative and supports black sea bass and offshore wind farm research and monitoring programs.
Lizzy’s background in marine ecology and habitat restoration informs her work on fisheries. Her work spans shellfish and offshore windfarm monitoring and improving data streams to support the black sea bass stock assessment. She combines field research with collaborative science to support sustainable fisheries and informed coastal management.
She holds both a B.S. and an M.S. from Northeastern University.
Email: vthomas@cfrfoundation.org
Phone:
Victoria “Tori” Thomas
Research Associate
Supports offshore wind farm monitoring and ghost gear projects. Previously led the Whelk Research Fleet.
Tori combines a background in biology with extensive hands-on experience as a commercial fisherman and fisheries observer. Her work bridges science and industry, helping ensure research reflects real fishing practices and supports coastal communities.
She holds a B.S. from Moravian College.