Timothy Gallaudet


Timothy Cole Gallaudet is an American oceanographer who is a retired Rear Admiral in the United States Navy. Gallaudet currently serves as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere within the U.S. Department of Commerce. In this function, he fulfilled the role of Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration until February 28, 2019. He was the longest-tenured Acting Administrator of NOAA in the organization's history at the time he was replaced, but was subsequently surpassed by his successor, Neil Jacobs.

Early life and education

Gallaudet holds a bachelor's degree from the United States Naval Academy and master's and doctoral degrees from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography, all in oceanography.
Gallaudet was born on March 18, 1967, in Hollywood, California. He attended the United States Naval Academy and was awarded a bachelor of science degree in oceanography and was commissioned as an ensign in the United States Navy in 1989. After leaving Annapolis, Gallaudet went directly to the Scripps Institution of Oceanography for two years of post graduate studies, and was awarded a master of science degree in oceanography in 1991. For the next six years, Gallaudet served in various naval assignments before he returned to Scripps for his doctoral studies in 1997 under the direction of Christian de Moustier. He received his Ph.D. in 2001 before returning to active duty.

Naval service

Prior to his role at NOAA, Gallaudet served as Oceanographer of the Navy and Commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command. He has experience in weather and ocean forecasting, hydrographic surveying, developing policy and plans to counter illegal, unregulated, and unreported fishing, and assessing the national security impacts of climate change.
Gallaudet retired from the Navy in July 2017.

NOAA service

On October 25, 2017, after being confirmed by the U.S. Senate, Gallaudet took office as Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere within the U.S. Department of Commerce.
In this function, he fulfills the role of Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Acting Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere is appointed by the President of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate to serve at the pleasure of the President.
The University Corporation for Atmospheric Research, a nonprofit consortium of more than 100 colleges and universities providing research and training in the atmospheric and related sciences, supported Gallaudet's nomination.
In February 2019, Gallaudet was replaced as Acting NOAA Administrator by Neil Jacobs while still remaining as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. At the time of the announcement, the Senate has yet to confirm a permanent administrator for NOAA.