Lisa plays a pivotal role in managing major incident responses within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. From July 2016 to September 2018, Lisa held the position of Deputy Superintendent at the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Prior to that, she served as the Damage Assessment and Resource Protection Coordinator for NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries since 1998. In this capacity, Lisa was in charge of system-wide coordination for contingency planning, emergency response, damage assessment, restoration, and enforcement efforts. She provided leadership in every stage of the resource injury process, from initial assessments to litigation and the subsequent implementation of restoration projects, including overseeing assessments and restoration work for various incidents involving seagrass and coral groundings in the Florida Keys. Additionally, Lisa collaborated with the Department of Defense to address underwater munitions issues, facilitated hurricane and tsunami preparedness efforts, and conducted impact assessments. She also led a national risk assessment initiative focused on potentially polluting wrecks. Lisa's career with NOAA began in 1991 when she served as the NOAA Regional Liaison in Kuwait, where she played a vital role in identifying, assessing, and responding to environmental impacts resulting from the oil fires and oil spills during the Arabian Gulf War.

Scope and Content Note
December 1, 2020: This interview with Lisa Symons, conducted by Matthew Forrest, is part of the Mount Mitchell Oral History Project funded by the NOAA Heritage Program. The interview begins with Symons sharing her background, including her birthplace of Muskegon, Michigan, and her upbringing in Holland, Michigan. She discusses her childhood experiences with sailing and spending time on Lake Michigan and Lake Huron, which played a significant role in shaping her interest in water and marine life. Symons also provides details about her educational background, including her undergraduate degrees in biology, history, and a fellowship in public affairs from Alma College, and her master's degree in environmental advocacy and policy from the University of Michigan. Symons also shares some family history, including her parents' connection to Michigan and her paternal grandfather's role as the dean of the School of Transportation at the University of Michigan. She also mentions her father's service in the Coast Guard and his involvement in the rescue of personnel off the Andrea Doria. The interview also covers Symons' professional journey, including her struggle to find a suitable position after graduate school and her eventual employment with NOAA. She also discusses her experiences working on a ship, including the challenges of communication and the limited internet access during her time at sea.

April 9, 2021: Lisa Symons, shares her experiences working on the NOAA Ship Mount Mitchell 1992 Persian Gulf cruise and her subsequent work in various NOAA offices. She discusses the open data policy implemented during the Gulf War spill assessment, the impact of the project on the region's understanding of environmental health, and her involvement in the Deepwater Horizon response. Lisa also talks about the challenges of integrating scientists into the response effort and the development of new skill sets within the agency. She highlights her current role as the regional response coordinator in the Florida Keys, where vessel groundings are a chronic issue, and discusses environmental challenges in Florida, including pollution response after hurricanes and coral restoration projects. Lisa reflects on how her early career experience on the Mitchell project prepared her for diverse roles within NOAA and offers advice to those starting their careers.