Dr. Neil Jacobs is the Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction and NOAA's Deputy Administrator. In this role, Dr. Jacobs is responsible for the strategic direction and oversight of over $3.4 billion in annual spending, supporting NOAA's broad portfolio of sea, air, land, and space observing platforms as well as the critical infrastructure for the assimilation and exploitation of environmental data.

Explorer, environmentalist, master navigator, cultural revivalist, educator, storyteller:  Nainoa Thompson has led the rediscovery and revival of the ancient Polynesian art of navigation.  Through his voyaging, teaching and engagement, he has opened a global, multigenerational dialogue on the importance of sustaining ocean resources and maritime heritage.  Nainoa has dedicated his life to exploring the ocean, maintaining the health of the planet and ensuring that the ancient marine heritage and culture of Polynesia remain vibrant into the future.