Rick Spinrad | |
|---|---|
 Spinrad in 2022 | |
| 11th Administrator of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | |
| In office June 22, 2021 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Kathy Sullivan |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Hann (acting) |
| Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere | |
| In office June 22, 2021 – January 20, 2025 | |
| President | Joe Biden |
| Secretary | Gina Raimondo |
| Preceded by | Neil Jacobs |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Hann (acting) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1954-04-06)April 6, 1954 (age 71) New York, New York, U.S. |
| Education | Johns Hopkins University (BS) Oregon State University (MS,PhD) |
| Awards |  |
| Scientific career | |
| Fields | Oceanography |
| Institutions | |
| Thesis | Optical characteristics of the suspended sediment in the High Energy Benthic Boundary Layer Experiment (1982) |
| Doctoral advisors | J. Ronald V. Zaneveld Hans J. Schrader LaVerne D. Kulm[1] |
Richard William Spinrad[1][2] is an Americanoceanographer and government official who served as the 11th Administrator of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He also concurrently served asUnder Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere from 2021 until 2025.[3]
Born and raised inNew York City,[4] Spinrad earned aBachelor of Arts degree[5] inearth andplanetary sciences in 1975 fromJohns Hopkins University, and aMaster of Science[6] and aPhD[1] inoceanography in 1978 and 1982, respectively, fromOregon State University at theHatfield Marine Science Center.[7]
Spinrad has held positions in theOffice of Naval Research andNaval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; for this work, he was awarded theNavy Distinguished Civilian Service Award.[7]
From 2003 to 2010, Spinrad was the head of theOffice of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research within NOAA, and also was the U.S. permanent representative of theIntergovernmental Oceanographic Commission from 2005 to 2009. He was the Vice President for Research at Oregon State University from 2010 to 2014.[7]
Spinrad wasChief Scientist of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration from 2014 to 2016, after which he was a professor of oceanography at Oregon State University.[7][8]
OnEarth Day 2021, Spinrad was nominated by PresidentJoe Biden to serve as theUnder Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, which includes serving as the administrator of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in theDepartment of Commerce.[9] On June 17, 2021, his nomination was confirmed byvoice vote in theUnited States Senate.[10] He was sworn in by Secretary of CommerceGina Raimondo on June 22, 2021.[11] He served untilthe Biden administration left office on January 20, 2025.
In 2025, Spinrad was elected to theNational Academy of Engineering.[12]
| Government offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Vacant Office was left vacant during previous administration Title last held by Kathryn D. Sullivan | 11th Administrator of theNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 2021–present | Incumbent |