Gary Matlock
NOAA Heritage Oral History Project
NOAA Heritage Oral History Project aims to document the history and legacy of NOAA through compelling interviews with its leaders. These firsthand accounts provide an invaluable resource that preserves NOAA's significant contributions to environmental research and management, fostering a deeper understanding of NOAA's vital role in shaping our understanding of the Earth's oceans and atmosphere.
Molly Graham
Because of the support that I got from people in NOAA, we have improved the condition of fisheries in this country and beyond.
On July 26, 2024, Molly Graham interviewed Dr. Gary Matlock remotely for the NOAA Heritage Oral History Project. The interview explores Matlock's personal background, including his birth in Riverside, California, and his upbringing in Texas. Matlock discusses his academic journey, beginning with his inspiration from Jacques Cousteau and culminating in a Ph.D. from Texas A&M University. Key topics include his early work in fisheries and ecology, his educational experiences at Del Mar College, the University of Texas, and Texas A&M, and his career with NOAA. Matlock reflects on his influences, including professors and mentors, and shares insights into his perseverance through academic and professional challenges. The interview also touches on broader cultural and environmental contexts, such as the impact of hurricanes on Corpus Christi, the societal climate of the 1960s and 1970s, and Matlock's observations on effective scientific communication.
On August 1, 2024, Dr. Gary Matlock shares his academic background, including his experiences at Oregon State University, and his career trajectory with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, where he played a key role in the development of a coastwide fish sampling program and testified as an expert witness in legal cases concerning fishery regulations. Matlock discusses his progression to administrative roles, his involvement with NOAA, and his work on regulatory and fisheries management issues at both state and federal levels. He reflects on challenges related to staffing, environmental regulations, and resource management. Topics include the evolution of fish population monitoring programs, the establishment of sustainable fishing practices, and his contributions to policy development and institutional leadership at NOAA. Matlock also shares insights on working with key figures, such as Nancy Foster, and his views on integrating social science into biological research.
On August 8, 2024, the interview explores Matlock’s tenure as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Science in NOAA’s Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) from 2016 to 2024. He discusses his oversight of ten laboratories, budget management, and efforts to enhance the integration of NOAA research into operational applications, such as transitioning weather models to the National Weather Service. Matlock reflects on his contributions to improving diversity within laboratory leadership, transitioning lab directors to focus on management rather than conducting research, and addressing accountability issues within OAR. The conversation also addresses his navigation of the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing employee safety and operational continuity.
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