Richard Spinrad, PhD

About Richard Spinrad

Richard W. (Rick) Spinrad is an oceanographer with more than 40 years of experience in the public, private, academic, and non-profit sectors. He was confirmed by the U.S. Senate as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and the 11th Administrator of NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrator). Dr. Spinrad was responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of the $7B agency and its over 12,000 employees, developing environmental products and services and fostering economic development. Dr. Spinrad, an elected member of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering, is the former Vice President for Research at Oregon State University (OSU), where he is currently a Professor Emeritus of Oceanography. Dr. Spinrad served as NOAA’s Chief Scientist and he led NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research and National Ocean Service. He co-led the White House Committee that developed the nation’s first set of ocean research priorities and developed the agency’s first Scientific Integrity policy.

As a Senior Executive at the U.S. Navy he was awarded the Distinguished Civilian Service Award — the highest award given by the U.S. Navy to a civilian. He has held faculty appointments at OSU, the U.S. Naval Academy, and George Mason University; was Executive Director at the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education; was President of Sea Tech, Inc.; and worked as a research scientist at the Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences. He also developed the National Ocean Sciences Bowl for high school students. Dr. Spinrad served as the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission. He is the recipient of Presidential Rank Awards from presidents George W. Bush and Barack H. Obama.

Dr. Spinrad is past president of The Oceanography Society and the Marine Technology Society. He is a Fellow of four professional societies and is a Chartered Marine Scientist. Dr. Spinrad received his B.A. from The Johns Hopkins University, and his M.S. and Ph.D. Oregon State University.