On September 30, 2021, Molly Graham interviewed David Kennedy remotely for the NOAA 50th Oral History Project. Kennedy, born in Oskaloosa, Iowa, on June 24, 1947, has a background in anthropology and served as a pilot in the U.S. Air Force before transitioning to a career in environmental research and response. His military service included flying C-130 aircraft in Alaska, supporting scientific research missions in Greenland, and working with the National Science Foundation. After leaving the Air Force in 1976, he became involved in NOAA’s Outer Continental Shelf Environmental Assessment Program at the University of Alaska, later joining the Spilled Oil Research Team (SORT) in Boulder, Colorado. Kennedy played a key role in developing NOAA’s oil spill response capabilities, contributing to the establishment of the Office of Response and Restoration. In this interview, Kennedy discusses his early life, education, and career trajectory, including his time in the Air Force and his shift to environmental research. He details his involvement in major oil spill response efforts, including the Exxon Valdez disaster, and his contributions to the development of NOAA’s scientific support for spill response. He reflects on his work with the Coast Guard, his role in shaping federal response protocols, and the political and scientific challenges of managing environmental disasters. Topics include Arctic research, indigenous community engagement, the evolution of oil spill response technology, and the broader impacts of environmental policy on marine ecosystems.

On October 6, 2021, Molly Graham interviewed David Kennedy remotely for the NOAA 50th Oral History Project while Kennedy was in Madison, Virginia. Kennedy, born in 1947, has a background in anthropology and aviation, having served as a U.S. Air Force pilot before transitioning to a career in environmental research and response. His NOAA tenure included significant roles in oil spill response, coastal resource management, and Arctic policy. Kennedy held leadership positions within the National Ocean Service (NOS) and served as acting assistant administrator of NOAA. Following his retirement, he was appointed to the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. In this interview, Kennedy discusses major oil spills he was involved in, including the Ixtoc I blowout, the Exxon Valdez spill, and the Deepwater Horizon disaster, highlighting NOAA’s role in environmental response and policy development. He reflects on his work in the Persian Gulf War, his leadership in NOAA’s Office of Response and Restoration, and his efforts to improve coordination within NOS. Kennedy details his transition into Arctic policy, the challenges of offshore drilling oversight, and the development of NOAA’s Arctic strategy. He also addresses the complexities of interagency collaboration, the impact of the Trump administration on Arctic research, and his tenure as chair of the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. Additional topics include marine debris cleanup, international maritime policy, and his personal experiences balancing work and family life.