| NOAA 2000-415 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Connie Barclay 8/3/00 |
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Dr. D. James Baker, administrator for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the appointment of Margaret A. Davidson as acting assistant administrator for NOAA's National Ocean Service. "I am delighted to announce Davidson's appointment," Baker said. "She brings broad experience and total dedication to the Ocean Service mission. She is known as an innovative leader in key coastal resource issues." As acting assistant administrator of the National Ocean Service, Davidson will oversee operations for a diverse organization of more than 1,200 people working toward ensuring that the nation's coasts remain safe, healthy and productive. The agency is the nation's principal advocate for coastal and ocean stewardship through partnerships at all levels, dictates that it strives to balance human use of coastal and ocean resources with the need to protect, preserve and restore the coasts for future generations. "I am honored to be given the opportunity to help focus the nation's attention on the importance of our oceans and coastal resources." said Davidson. She currently serves as the director of the Coastal Services Center in Charleston, S.C. Davidson joined NOAA in 1995 after working as executive director of the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium. Prior to that, she served as special counsel and assistant attorney general for the Louisiana Department of Justice. Davidson earned her juris doctorate in natural resources law from Louisiana State University. She later earned a master's degree in marine policy and resource economics from the University of Rhode Island. Davidson holds a faculty appointment at the University of Charleston and serves on the adjunct faculties of Clemson University and the University of South Carolina. Davidson succeeds Dr. Nancy Foster who died from complications of cancer on June 27, 2000. |