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Statement of Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr.
Vice Admiral, U.S. Navy (Ret.)
Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and
Atmosphere
I am delighted to announce that Dr. James R. Mahoney was sworn in today
[April 2] as our new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
In this capacity, Jim will serve as a senior member of the NOAA management
team. In administering the oath of office, Commerce Secretary Don Evans
said, "President Bush and I are very pleased to have Jim on our team.
His scientific and private industry experience will greatly benefit NOAA's
mission to facilitate environmental stewardship and economic security."
At his swearing in, Dr. Mahoney said, "NOAA has the benefit of a large
number of highly skilled scientific, technical and administrative personnel,
and I will do all I can to help enhance their careers and further improve
NOAA's service to the nation and the world."
A native of Syracuse, NY, Jim Mahoney received a doctorate in meteorology
from Massachusetts Institute of Technology and joined the Faculty of Public
Health at Harvard University. He then co-founded Environmental Research
& Technology, Inc., an environmental management company that, by the late
1970s, was the nation's largest environmental firm. He was later a senior
executive at Bechtel Group and International Technology Corporation.
Jim began public service in 1988 as director of the National Acid Precipitation
Assessment Program, a 10-year program charged with recommending sound
approaches to controlling acid rain effects while providing for continued
energy and economic security. He has advised government agencies on sustainable
industry, fishery and agricultural practices, as well as several United
Nations and international agencies. Jim has served on several committees
of the National Academy of Sciences and completed a term as co-chairman
of the Academy's Board on Atmospheric Science and Climate. From 1990-1991,
he was president of the American Meteorological Society.
Jim's wealth of knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset to
our NOAA team and the nation. Please join me in welcoming him.
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