Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Names Edward Kertis as New Superintendent
Former advisory council member gets top job.
KEY WEST, Fla. — The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary has selected retired U.S. Army Corps of Engineers leader Edward Kertis as its new superintendent, bringing decades of experience managing large-scale infrastructure, environmental programs and public-sector partnerships to one of the nation’s most significant marine protected areas.
Kertis, who most recently served as the tourism alternate representative on the sanctuary’s advisory council from 2023 to 2025, will oversee stewardship, conservation, research, education and community engagement efforts across the 3,800-square-mile sanctuary that protects coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangrove forests and maritime heritage resources throughout the Florida Keys.
“Edward Kertis brings an exceptional record of leadership, public service and collaboration to this role,” sanctuary officials said in announcing the appointment. “His experience managing complex environmental and infrastructure programs, working with diverse stakeholders and leading large organizations will help guide the sanctuary as it addresses critical conservation and community priorities.”
During a distinguished career with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Kertis served as commander of two districts and two divisions, leading operations in Walla Walla, Washington; Savannah, Georgia; Honolulu, overseeing the Pacific Rim; and Afghanistan.
In those assignments, he directed thousands of federal civilian employees and military personnel responsible for water resources infrastructure, hydropower operations, environmental regulatory programs, fisheries initiatives and major construction projects. His leadership responsibilities spanned seven U.S. states as well as international activities in Japan, South Korea and India.
While deployed to Afghanistan, Kertis managed a $12 billion construction portfolio supporting critical infrastructure development.
Throughout his career, Kertis worked closely with members of Congress, federally recognized Tribal governments, state and local officials, media organizations and nonprofit groups. Colleagues have cited his ability to build partnerships among stakeholders with diverse interests and priorities.
Following his retirement from the Army, Kertis advised chief executive officers and senior corporate sales leaders on business development strategies and served as an instructor, coach and mentor in a corporate leadership development program.
His connection to the Florida Keys deepened through service on the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, where he represented tourism interests as an alternate member and participated in discussions involving resource protection, sustainable recreation and community engagement.
As superintendent, Kertis will help lead the sanctuary through a period of heightened focus on coral reef restoration, climate resilience, water quality improvement and balancing environmental protection with the economic needs of Keys communities.
The Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, managed by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, encompasses waters surrounding the Florida Keys and supports a diverse ecosystem that contributes significantly to the region’s tourism, fishing and recreational industries.
Kertis succeeds previous sanctuary leadership at a time when federal and local partners continue efforts to protect the Keys’ marine resources for future generations.