Kieron Whitehead

Small Boat Captain

Kieron Whitehead joined the sanctuary in 2023 as a small boat captain in support of science missions. A 20-year veteran of the United States Coast Guard, Whitehead was assigned to Sector Key West in 2010 where he met his wife, Tara Whitehead, and started his family including his son Kaiden and daughter Cora.

After retiring from the Coast Guard in 2018, Whitehead returned to school where he earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Marine Resource Management. He is currently active in the Florida Keys scientific community as a research diver, American Academy of Underwater Sciences Dive Safety Officer, and boat captain transporting other research divers for NOAA and the College of the Florida Keys.

Outside of work, Whitehead is also active in the community, currently serving as the Regional Commissioner for the local region of the American Youth Soccer Organization.