NOAA Leadership
Timothy R.E. Keeney
Timothy R.E. Keeney, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
On April 8, 2002, Timothy R.E. Keeney was sworn in as deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere. In this capacity, Keeney is a key member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's management team. NOAA is the nation's top government science and environmental management agency and is led by Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (ret.).
At NOAA, Keeney is responsible for environmental policy, strategic planning and program analysis. Keeney's major responsibilities include cross-cutting programs such as coral reefs, invasive species, habitat restoration and observation systems.
Keeney earned a bachelor's degree from the Wharton School of Business at the University of Pennsylvania in 1970 and a doctor of laws degree from the University of Connecticut School of Law in 1976. He also completed the environmental leadership program at Yale University's School of Forestry and Environmental Studies.
Keeney has served in numerous public and private positions throughout his career. Most recently, he served as director of environmental services for Northeast Utilities Service Company in Hartford, Conn., beginning February 1998.
During his career, Keeney has held several environmental management and regulatory positions, including NOAA general counsel, and director of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management at the NOAA Oceans and Coasts Service. He served as commissioner for the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection and director of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. Keeney was also president of Dufrane Nuclear Services, Inc. in Avon, Conn.
A retired captain in the United States Navy, Keeney’s last duty assignment concluded in June 2005. Prior to retiring, he was commander of Naval Reserve SEAL Forces, Naval Warfare Command, at Coronado Naval Amphibious Base San Diego, Calif.
Mr. Keeney and his wife, Mary, have five children: Clinton, Timothy, Jr., Emily, Lucy and Grace.