Michael S. Devany

RADM Michael S. Devany, NOAA is the current director of the NOAA Commissioned Corps since August 13, 2012, succeeding RADM Jonathan W. Bailey. He was formerly Director of the Marine and Aviation Operations Centers (MAOC), the operational arm of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). RADM Devany is an officer in the NOAA Corps, one of the nation’s seven uniformed services. He is a graduate of the NOAA Leadership Competencies Development Program and the Harvard Senior Managers in Government program.

As Director, MAOC, RDML Devany was responsible for the safe, efficient and effective operation of the NOAA ship and aircraft fleet. He oversaw NOAA’s multi-purpose oceanographic, fisheries, and hydrographic survey vessels and aircraft that operate across the globe in support of the program requirements of NOAA.

An officer of the NOAA Commissioned Corps since January 1990, RADM Devany has served aboard six NOAA ships; Chapman, Discoverer, Miller Freeman, and Hi’ialakai in various capacities, and as Commanding Officer of NOAA Ships Oscar Elton Sette and John N. Cobb. These vessels were involved in fisheries and oceanographic research operations in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf of Mexico. Prior to transferring to NOAA, RDML Devany served as a U.S. Navy Surface Warfare Officer aboard the destroyer USS John Young (DD-973) in the Pacific and the Persian Gulf.

Ashore, RADM Devany has served in a variety of staff, scientific, and management positions in the NOAA line offices National Marine Fisheries Service, Oceans and Atmospheric Research, Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, and National Ocean Service. He has spent a majority of his career working in assignments that directly interfaced with state and other federal agencies, using his project management and consensus building skills to achieve program objectives. RADM Devany has spent the last several years in senior Fleet operational positions, most recently as Commanding Officer, Marine Operations Center – Atlantic, and Director, Marine Operations Center.

RADM Devany has been recognized for his outstanding performance of duties, receiving multiple NOAA Special Achievement Awards and the NOAA Corps Commendation Medals. Additionally, while serving in the U.S. Navy he received the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal and the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal for service in the Persian Gulf. RADM Devany is a NOAA Diver, and holds a USCG 1,600 gross ton Master, Oceans license.

RADM Devany received a bachelor's degree from the University of Washington in Biology, a masters degree from the University of South Florida in Environmental Health, and a graduate certificate from City University in Project Management.

RADM Devany is from Washington State, and he and his wife Tracy Bishop currently reside in Virginia with their three boys: Brendan, Kieran and Colin.

Awards and decorations
Navy Surface Warfare Officer badge NOAA Deck Officer NOAA Small Craft Command NOAA Diver