Sykes Named Harwich's New Natural Resources Director

 HARWICH – A woman familiar with local waters has been named the new natural resources director for the town. The select board affirmed the appointment of Stephanie Leete Sykes on Monday.

Sykes grew up in Harwich and has had a lot of experience with the Cape’s fisheries and shellfisheries. She presently serves as the natural resources foreman in the town of Eastham and will start her new job in June.

“I reviewed all the individual resumes, and she is clearly qualified and a welcomed addition to the town,” said Select Board member Donald Howell when affirming Town Administrator Joseph Powers’ appointment.

 “She’s very qualified and I’m very excited to have her join the team,” added Powers.

Sykes will be replacing Don Yannuzzi, who came to the director’s position in September 2023 and resigned last month. Yannuzzi said housing considerations weighed heavily on his decision to resign. He served as natural resources director, assistant harbormaster, shellfish constable and herring warden.  

Sykes brings a wealth of experience to the position. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in marine, estuarine and freshwater biology from the University of New Hampshire and an associate degree in criminal justice. Sykes worked as a program and outreach coordinator for the Cape Cod Commercial Fishermen’s Alliance and as a commercial fisher.

“I seek to expand my career on natural resources by serving my hometown of Harwich as a natural resources director,” Sykes wrote in her resume. 

As the Eastham Department Of Natural Resources foreman (supervisor), her titles also include senior natural resources officer, shellfish constable, herring warden, assistant harbormaster, animal control officer and inspector. 

While serving as program and outreach coordinator at the Fishermen’s Alliance, she communicated federal, state and local fisheries regulations to industry members, provided guidance on policy campaigns and advocated for fishermen at the municipal, state and federal levels.

“Through my years of commercial fishing experience, fisheries training development, fisheries policy work, and municipal service, I have developed excellent rapport and relationships with community members, fishermen, co-workers and state and federal agencies,” she wrote.

Sykes is state Harbormaster Training Council certified, and U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner certified. She serves regionally as the clerk of the Cape and Island Harbormaster’s Association and as Eastham’s alternate to the Barnstable County Dredge Advisory Committee. 

She has worked the decks of commercial fishing vessels, including gillnet and pot/trap fishing vessels, and served in the Northeast Fisheries Observer Program. Sykes has also worked in tugboat deck operations.

“I strive for excellence in services provided to residents and visitors alike, with an education forward philosophy of compliance assistance,” she wrote. “Preserving, protecting, and enhancing the natural resources, as well as providing  education to the public, aligns with my personal and professional goals.” 

 Sykes is scheduled to start work on June 1. She will serve a six-month probationary period. Her annual salary is $94,363.