A photo of some of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation trustees, including the three new members, at Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary during their October Board meeting in San Francisco. From left to right: Justin Dunnavant, Jose Astorqui, John Rudolf, Kris Sarri, Heather Ludemann, Laura Zagar, Martin Peters.

Silver Spring, Md. – December 2, 2021 – The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation announced the appointment of Jose Astorqui, Justin Dunnavant, and Martin Peters as the newest members of its Board of Trustees at its October board meeting. 

“I am pleased to welcome three accomplished and distinguished individuals to the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Board of Trustees,” said James Hnat, Chair of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation Board of Trustees. “Their passion, expertise and perspective will be invaluable to the Foundation and I am excited to work with each of them towards our goal of protecting and preserving our nation’s marine sanctuaries.”  

“Our mission to protect the iconic species, conserve biodiversity, and preserve the cultural and maritime heritage of our national marine sanctuaries and monuments depends on the support of our committed Board of Trustees,” said Kris Sarri, president and CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation. “We are entering a critical year for sanctuaries as we approach the 50th anniversary of the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, and these three new passionate trustees with a depth and diversity of experiences and backgrounds will be invaluable to supporting our work.” 

Jose Astorqui has more than 23 years of experience in the reinsurance intermediation industry, where he is a recognized leader, having developed most of his professional career in Madrid, London, and over the last 13 years in Miami. He is the Chief Commercial Officer of BMS Group Ltd and CEO of Lions Gate Underwriting Latin America, its underwriting platform. Jose is adept at working cross border and leading multi-cultural teams with an extensive network of clients and contacts in Latin America, the Caribbean, the UK, the USA, and Spain. He graduated from Universidad Complutense de Madrid with a Bachelor of Law and earned his Master of Laws from IE Business School. Jose is an active member of Miami kitesurfing and windsurfing communities, a history aficionado, avid traveler, and water sports enthusiast.  

Dr. Justin Dunnavant is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Anthropology at UCLA. His research focuses on the terrestrial and maritime archaeology of Africa and the African diaspora. In addition to his archaeological research, Dr. Dunnavant is co-founder of the Society of Black Archaeologists and an AAUS Scientific SCUBA Diver. In 2021, he was named a National Geographic Emerging Explorer and inducted into The Explorers Club as one of “Fifty People Changing the World that You Need to Know About.” His research has been featured on Netflix’s “Explained,” Hulu’s “Your Attention Please, ” and in print in American Archaeology and Science Magazine.  

Martin Peters joined Yamaha in 2006 and currently leads Yamaha’s U.S. Marine Business Unit’s government relations, advocacy, conservation, and Yamaha Rightwaters™ sustainability efforts. He also leads teams that create communication, education, and sponsorship strategies that support the marine brand. In January 2017, Peters was appointed to NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuary Business Advisory Council (BAC). He currently serves on the Natural Resources and Energy Policy Sub Committee for the Georgia Chamber of Commerce and the Government Relations Committee of the American Sportfishing Association® (ASA). Peters holds a bachelor’s degree in Mass Communications from Towson University and a master’s degree in Publications Design from the University of Baltimore. His father handed him a fishing rod for the first time at age six on the Patuxent River in Maryland.  

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The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation, established in 2000, is the official non-profit partner of the National Marine Sanctuary System. The Foundation directly supports America’s national marine sanctuaries through our mission to protect species, conserve ecosystems and preserve cultural and maritime heritage. We accomplish our mission through community stewardship and engagement programs, on-the-water conservation projects, public education and outreach programs, and scientific research and exploration. The Foundation fosters innovative projects that are solution-oriented, scalable and transferable, and develop strategic partnerships that promote the conservation and recovery of species and their habitats. Learn more at marinesanctuary.org. 

Contact: Chip Weiskotten 

Director of Strategic Communications 

518-669-3936 

chip@marinesanctuary.org