Carol Bernthal has been selected superintendent of the Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, one of 12 marine sanctuaries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that protect the nation's premiere marine environments. NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary spans 3,310-square miles of marine waters off the rugged Olympic Peninsula coastline, and protects a rich mix of diverse marine life and Native American cultures.

"Her experiences working in the areas of habitat protection and restoration, combined with a proven record of strong leadership, planning and implementation, makes her ideally suited for NOAA's Olympic Coast National Marine sanctuary," says NOAA Sanctuary Director Stephanie Thornton. "We all look forward to welcoming Carol as part of the sanctuary family, both on the Olympic Peninsula and within the national system."

Bernthal was the senior habitat biologist and habitat program manager for the Point No Point Treaty Council, where she managed a natural resource habitat program for four Native American tribes in the Olympic Peninsula. She brings an impressive blend of experiences protecting the environment of the Olympic Peninsula, and has successfully forged working relationships between and among Native American tribes, government agencies, local citizens, and the business and nonprofit communities.

Bernthal earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, with an emphasis in biological aspects of conservation. She currently resides in Port Townsend, Wash.

The Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary, with offices in Port Angeles, Wash., is one of 12 national marine sanctuaries administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which operates under the U.S. Department of Commerce. NOAA's national marine sanctuaries serve as trustees for the nation's system of marine protected areas, to conserve, protect, and enhance their biodiversity, ecological integrity and cultural legacy. Together the 12 marine sanctuaries protect more than 18,000 square miles of important marine habitats, including coral reefs, kelp forests, intertidal, sandy beach and open ocean.