Our Team

The People Behind Ferry Cove

Ferry Cove brings together aquaculture professionals, researchers, and environmental stewards working to support sustainable shellfish production and a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

Staff

Stephan Abel

President / CEO

Stephan has more than three decades of experience across the business, technology, fisheries, and environmental sectors. Over the last 20 years, he has focused on developing innovative approaches that support oyster recovery, aquaculture, and Chesapeake Bay restoration. Prior to Ferry Cove, Stephan held leadership roles with the Oyster Recovery Partnership, Maryland Department of Natural Resources, Sallie Mae, and CareerBuilder. He also enjoyed a distinguished career in the United States Navy. A lifelong Chesapeake Bay sailor, Stephan lives in Annapolis, Maryland with his family and remains deeply committed to the future of the Bay and sustainable aquaculture.

Danial Mister

Facilities Manager

Danial oversees facility maintenance and operations at Ferry Cove. A former commercial waterman from Tilghman Island, he brings extensive hands-on experience and deep ties to the Chesapeake Bay region.

Steven Weschler

Hatchery Manager

Steven oversees daily operations at Ferry Cove Oyster Hatchery, one of the newest and largest commercial shellfish hatcheries on the East Coast. Before helping commission Ferry Cove, Steven spent more than a decade at the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Oyster Hatchery, where he worked in multiple production roles focused on high-volume oyster cultivation. A lifelong Maryland resident, hunter, and fisherman, Steven holds a degree in Marine Biology and Environmental Science from Salisbury University and lives in Cambridge, Maryland with his wife and children.

Alex Golding

Senior Hatchery Technician

Alex is an Eastern Shore native specializing in larval rearing and shellfish production. She brings years of oyster industry experience and a background in biology, environmental science, and environmental management to the Ferry Cove team.

Jake Marden

Hatchery Phycologist & Microbiologist

Jake manages algae production and microbiology systems that support shellfish growth throughout the hatchery. Drawn to the Chesapeake Bay by its unique ecology, he combines scientific expertise with a passion for life on the water.

Joe Arnie

Facility & Aquaculture Technician

Joe supports hatchery operations, facility systems, and environmental safety initiatives at Ferry Cove. His technical expertise and safety background make him an integral member of the hatchery team.

Katharine Jones

Hatchery Technician

Originally from Maryland’s Western Shore, Katy earned her interdisciplinary degree in Marine Science from Coastal Carolina University. Extremely passionate about marine conservation and sustainability, she has built a diverse background working with harmful algal blooms, sharks, marine mammals, and sea turtles. Excited to support local watermen as well as those across state lines, she joined the Ferry Cove team in January 2026.

Katie Riggleman

Hatchery Technician

Katie joined Ferry Cove after gaining oyster hatchery and environmental research experience through both academic and professional work. An Eastern Shore native, she is passionate about shellfish science and Chesapeake Bay conservation.

Nora Wilson

Hatchery Technician

Nora supports hatchery operations and conservation initiatives at Ferry Cove. Her background in biology and Chesapeake Bay restoration helps bridge aquaculture and environmental stewardship throughout the region.

Petey

Brand Ambassador

My primary duty includes greeting visitors when they arrive at the hatchery. I enjoy treats from the delivery drivers, naps, rides in the 4 wheelers and roaming the fields when no one is looking. I am currently 12 years old and reside in Annapolis, MD.

Our work is about more than growing shellfish — it’s about stewarding a place we all call home.

— Ferry Cove Team

Board of Directors

Tina Davenport

Board of Trustees, Ratcliffe Foundation

Tina Davenport brings decades of leadership experience across education, training, retail operations, and nonprofit service. Her career has included roles with Old Dominion University, the Navy Resale System, and military retail organizations supporting operations around the world. Today, Tina serves on the Ratcliffe Foundation Board of Trustees, where she continues her commitment to community impact, education, and regional initiatives that support the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland’s Eastern Shore.

Jim Perdue

Chairman, Perdue Farms Inc.

Jim Perdue is the third-generation leader of Perdue Farms, one of the nation’s leading food and agribusiness companies. Since becoming Chairman in 1991, he has guided the company’s growth while advancing major initiatives focused on corporate responsibility, workplace safety, animal care, and agricultural innovation. In addition to his business leadership, Jim holds advanced degrees in marine biology, fisheries, and business administration. His longstanding interest in environmental stewardship and coastal ecosystems reflects a deep connection to the Chesapeake Bay region.

Mike Roman

Professor & Former Director, UMCES Horn Point Laboratory

Dr. Mike Roman is a biological oceanographer and former Director of the University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science’s Horn Point Laboratory. His research has focused extensively on the Chesapeake Bay, marine ecosystems, and environmental science. Throughout his career, Mike has served on numerous scientific advisory committees for national research organizations and federal agencies, helping advance scientific understanding of coastal and marine environments.