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11 November 2005

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Mary Altalo

Executive Director, National Office for Integrated and Sustained Ocean Observations: Ocean.US

Dr. Mary Altalo comes to Ocean.US after spending the last seven years at Science Applications International Corporation as Corporate Vice President and recently as Chief Scientist, Energy Solutions. In addition, she has held high-level positions with the U.S. National Science Foundation, U.S. Office of Naval Research and Scripps Institution of Oceanography. She is also currently an Adjunct Professor at The George Mason University School of Management and a Visiting Fellow at the London School of Economics and Policy.

“Mary Altalo brings to Ocean.US a unique blend of government, academic, and private sector experience. Her dynamic leadership will be widely appreciated,” said Dr. Jack A. Kaye, Director of Research and Analysis Program, Science Mission Directorate at NASA and Chairman of the Ocean.US Executive Committee (EXCOM).

Dr. Altalo has served on the National Academy Ocean Studies Board and The Science Advisory Committee for the Minerals Management Service and authored and co-authored over one hundred scientific and oceanographic papers and reports.

“The sustained delivery of environmental information from Integrated Ocean Observing Systems is critical to safeguard our society, economy and environment. I consider it a privilege to lead this effort which serves U.S. national needs” said Dr. Altalo.

Ocean.US was established by the Congressionally-created National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP) in 2000 and works under the guidance, funding and support of the EXCOM. The IOOS, the U.S. contribution to the oceans and coasts component of the Global Earth Observing System of Systems, encompasses the oceans and the Nation’s EEZ, Great Lakes and estuaries.

The system’s infrastructure includes a network of buoys, ships, satellites, underwater vehicles and other platforms that supply data and information needed for rapid detection and timely prediction of changes in our oceans. IOOS will collect the data and make it available far more efficiently than possible today so that the information can better help protect the environment and ocean, save lives and benefit our economy.