New Commerce Team Brings Experience to America’s Ocean Conservation and Climate Efforts

The National Marine Sanctuary Foundation applauds the recent confirmation of President Obama’s appointments to lead the Department of Commerce and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Jane Lubchenco’s appointment to head NOAA and Gary Locke’s appointment as Secretary of Commerce reflect an experienced team that understands the importance of marine sanctuaries as well as the necessity of protecting our ocean resources.

“We are thrilled and extremely hopeful that these two talented individuals will make the ocean a major priority as they lead the Commerce Department and NOAA in the coming years. We look forward to working with Secretary Locke and Dr. Lubchenco as they take on important roles that will greatly affect our nation’s underwater treasures.” said Lori Arguelles, President & CEO of the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation.

Gary Locke, confirmed as the nation’s 36th Commerce Secretary by the U.S. Senate on March 24, is the first Chinese American to serve as Commerce Secretary.

Locke will oversee a department that, under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, is charged with expanding the country’s broadband infrastructure, bringing economic development to communities hardest hit by the recession and putting Americans to work under programs run by the Census, NOAA and the National Institute of Standards and Technology.

As Governor of Washington State, Locke personally negotiated and signed a Washington State-Canada salmon treaty after negotiations between the U.S. State Department and Canada reached an impasse on protecting wild salmon runs. He also conceived and launched the West Coast Governors’ Initiative on Climate Change and successfully launched public and private initiatives to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and increase energy conservation.

Locke earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from Yale University and a law degree from Boston University. Click here for more information about Secretary Locke.

Dr. Jane Lubchenco was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on March 19th as the new Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and will serve as the ninth Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Dr. Lubchenco is the first woman and the first marine ecologist to lead NOAA.

Lubchenco, a Denver native, is a graduate of Colorado College, received her Masters degree from the University of Washington and Ph.D. from Harvard University in marine ecology. Lubchenco also taught at Harvard for two years, and prior to assuming her new duties as NOAA administrator, has been on the faculty at Oregon State University since 1977.

Click here for more about Dr. Jane Lubchenco and her appointment to NOAA.