New NOAA Administrator

As of last week, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has a new leader. The U.S. Senate named Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D. Administrator of NOAA on March 19, 2009. As the first woman and the first marine ecologist to fulfill this position, Dr. Lubchenco is committed to using science to create sound policy. Her specific goals include improving weather forecasting and disaster warnings, providing credible climate change information, protecting and restoring coastal ecosystems, reviving fisheries and dependent communities, and creating new jobs and industries. Stay tuned for updates on how the Obama Administration’s new pick for NOAA Administrator chooses to manage her $4 billion budget and 12,800 employees.