VADM Michael S. Devany, Deputy Under Secretary for Operations.
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N.O.A.A. Vice Adm. Michael S. Devany today assumed the role of NOAA's deputy under secretary for operations following President Obama's approval of his appointment by Business Secretary Penny Pritzker. Devany served most recently as director of the N.O.A.A. Commissioned Officer Corps and NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations.
As deputy under secretary, Devany is NOAA's chief operating officer, responsible for the day-to-day management of NOAA's national and international operations for oceanic and atmospheric services, research and coastal and marine stewardship.
"For in excess of 20 years, Vice Adm. Devany has been a champion of our environment and for scientific discovery," said acting N.O.A.A. Administrator Dr. Kathryn D. Sullivan. "He is well-respected, and a highly effective leader who is focused on operational excellence and accountability. As NOAA's COO, Vice Adm. Devany will be a key member of my management team as we strive to put mission first, people always."
Devany succeeds David M. Kennedy, who retired in December after in excess of 20 years of service to N.O.A.A. and the nation.
A N.O.A.A. Corps officer since 1990, Devany has in excess of 20 years of experience in environmental restoration, response, compliance, and data acquisition in the marine environment. As director of OMAO and the N.O.A.A. Corps, Devany was responsible for the agency's fleet of research and survey ships and aircraft, as well as guiding 321 N.O.A.A. Corps officers and approximately 1,000 civilian OMAO personnel. Devany has also held a variety of scientific and management positions throughout N.O.A.A. including assignments with N.O.A.A. Fisheries, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, and National Ocean Service.
Devany has served aboard N.O.A.A. ships Chapman, Discoverer, Miller Freeman, and Hi'ialakai in various capacities, and as commanding officer of N.O.A.A. ships Oscar Elton Sette and John N. Cobb. Prior to serving with NOAA, he sailed as a U.S. Navy surface warfare officer on the destroyer USS John Young. Ashore, Devany has served as commanding officer of NOAA's Marine Operations Center-Atlantic in Norfolk, Va., and director of OMAO's Marine and Avation Operations Centers in Silver Spring, Md.
Devany has been acknowledged on numerous occasions for his outstanding service, receiving multiple N.O.A.A. Corps achievement medals and N.O.A.A. Corps commendation medals. While serving in the U.S. Navy, he was awarded the Navy Achievement Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the Persian Gulf.
Devany holds a master's degree in public health from the University of South Florida and a bachelor of science degree in biology from the University of Washington. He is a graduate of the N.O.A.A. Leadership Competencies Development Plan and the Harvard Senior Managers in Government Program. He is a qualified N.O.A.A. working diver, and holds a U.S. Coast Guard 1,600-ton masters license for ocean vessels.
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