Nancy's history in Cordova is long and varied, but with a common thread of extensive community involvement. Arriving in Cordova in 1976 after receiving her Bachelor of Arts degree in History from Carleton College in Minnesota, Nancy worked for Eyak Youth Services Center, Cordova School District and Cordova District Fishermen United. For eight years she taught courses in the histories of Alaska, Prince William Sound, Modern India, the Middle East and the Alaska Legislature at the Prince William Sound Community College. Nancy was Editor of the Cordova Times for five years during the 1980s and edited the city's Cordova Fact Sheet for six months after the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. She served as Vice Mayor for the City of Cordova from 2002-2003 and is currently a city council member.

Scott Pegau
Research Program Director

Scott Pegau is OSRI Research Program Manager. Scott was most recently with the Kachemak Bay Research Reserve in Homer, where he has been a researcher for the past five years. Scott grew up in Alaska and graduated from high school in Nome. After serving in the Navy on submarine duty, he attended University of Alaska Fairbanks and graduated with a degree in physics. He received his Doctoral degree in Oceanography from Oregon State University. Scott served as a researcher and teaching professor at Oregon State. Scott and his wife Cathy, who is a writer of fiction, have two young daughters. Scott likes to read, fish, hunt, garden and manage a house full of pets.

As OSRI Research Program Manager, Scott develops annual and strategic plans for a grant program focused on oil pollution issues in the Arctic and sub-Arctic. He oversees peer reviews of proposals, monitors grant contracts, and provides leadership in planning research programs and work plans in collaboration with the OSRI Board and Scientific and Technical Committee. The Research Program Manager works with the Executive Director to develop and maintain cooperative agreements with other organizations for research and education programs.

Penelope (Penny) Oswalt
Finance Director

Finance Director for the Prince William Sound Science Center, is responsible for all financial related activities. She prepares budgets and financial reports for the President and Board of Directors, administers grants and contracts and coordinates annual audits of the Center's finances which are completed by nationally recognized accounting firms. Penny earned an Associate of Arts degree at Prince William Sound Community College. Penny joined the Center's staff on its first day in 1989. She previously worked for the Cordova Times as their pressperson, in advertising/graphics and later became Office Manager. Prior to coming to the Science Center she worked for the U.S. Postal Service, Cordova Station.

Shelley Grant
Book Keeper/Administrative Assistant

Bookkeeper and administrative assistant, is primarily responsible for accounts payable/receivable and payroll. Shelley graduated from West High School in Anchorage and attended the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. She moved to Cordova in 2001 and enjoys fishing, gardening, reading, attending community events and spending time with her family.