Donna Wieting currently serves as the Director of the Office for Protective Resources at NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service. She has a B.S. in Animal Science from the University of Massachusetts and a Master’s in Marine Science from Louisiana State University. She has been at the agency since 1989 in various roles. 

Dr. Doug Lipton is currently the Senior Research Economist at NOAA Fisheries and a member of the Council of NOAA Fellows. He has a Bachelor’s in Biology from Stony Brook University, a Master’s in Marine Science from the College of William and Mary, and a PhD in Agriculture and Resource Economics from the University of Maryland. He started with the National Marine Fisheries Service as a Sea Grant Fellow in 1979 and was hired by NMFS as a fishery biologist before returning to school for economics. He also worked for Sea Grant as the national economics coordinator.

Doug Whiteley is the Division Chief of the Research to Operations and Project Planning Division (ROPPD). As Chief of ROPPD, Doug oversees pre-formulation and early formulation for new satellite systems as well as the execution of studies for project alternatives, such as foreign partnerships leveraging data and/or instrument exchanges, small-sats, payload hosting, commercial alternatives, and technology maturation to identify specific potential solutions to NESDIS top-level requirements.

Interview with Douglas H. Sargeant, former Director, NWS Headquarters Office of Systems Development
Interview conducted August 2010
Run time: 1:37:25
Topics: GARP, Development of observational technologies, NWS Modernization Systems Development

On September 18, 2024, Eve Austin interviewed Dr. Dwayne Meadows remotely via Zoom for the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami oral history project. Born in 1966 and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Meadows developed an early passion for marine biology through competitive swimming and scuba diving. He pursued a degree in biology at the University of California, Berkeley, followed by a PhD at Oregon State University, where he studied coral reef fish in Panama.

Dr. Edward J. Weiler, born in Chicago, Illinois, in 1949, is a distinguished astrophysicist and former NASA executive renowned for his significant contributions to space exploration and scientific discovery. A graduate of Northwestern University with a Ph.D. in astrophysics, Dr. Weiler's career began in 1978 when he joined NASA Headquarters as a staff scientist. Serving as the 10th director of NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center from August 2, 2004, to September 30, 2011, Dr. Weiler played a pivotal role in advancing key initiatives during his tenure.

Dr. Edward Johnson was born in Columbus, Georgia, in 1950.  Johnson attended the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for his undergraduate and graduate education, earning his PhD in Civil Engineering in 1978.  He came to work for the National Weather Service Office of Hydrology, Hydrologic Research Laboratory as a research hydrologist in 1978.  In 1999, Mr. Johnson served as director of Strategic Planning and Policy for the National Weather Service and retired in 2015.  

Scope and Content Note

Frank J. Cepollina is a renowned figure in the field of satellite servicing. His career at NASA spans over 50 years, during which he has made significant contributions to the development and execution of complex space missions. Cepollina's work has been instrumental in advancing the use of robotics in space, particularly in the servicing and repair of satellites. His innovative approach to problem-solving and his dedication to exploring new concepts and research opportunities have been key to his success and longevity in the field.

subject: Fishery processing plants--Maryland, Southern; Oyster fisheries--Maryland, Southern; Maryland, Southern--History.

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.