Vice President of Government and Public Affairs - Jerry Miller

Jerry Miller is President of Science for Decisions, a consulting practice which he founded in 2013 to ensure that solid science is available to inform decisions that impact people and places around the globe. A senior executive with expertise in natural sciences and policy, Dr. Miller also served from 2015 through early 2017 as Director of the Science and Technology for Sustainability Program at the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine where he addressed a wide range of issues spanning the interfaces among economic, environmental, and social sciences. These included energy supply, food security, and urban development for which marine components are of increasing importance. Previously, Dr. Miller held several senior positions, including Assistant Director for Ocean Sciences at the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy where he was instrumental in the creation of the United States’ first National Ocean Policy and the development of its foundational science and technology priorities. Before taking on his role at the White House, Dr. Miller held positions in academia, government, and the non-profit sector. He has published widely in the peer-reviewed literature and made significant contributions to several major federal policy documents. His work has been recognized with awards both in the U.S. and abroad including for development of salinity remote sensing technology. Dr. Miller earned his B.S. in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina, his M.S. in Oceanography from the University of Rhode Island, and his Ph.D. in Meteorology and Physical Oceanography from the University of Miami.

Indicate one or two key goals that you hope to accomplish in this position over the next 3 years:
The inherent strength and potential of MTS lies in the talents of its members and their ability to apply those talents individually and collectively to contribute positively to society. I will work with the MTS leadership and its relevant professional committees to pursue three interdependent goals: to foster growth of membership in underrepresented sectors, to highlight and make available members’ expertise to policymakers, and to vigorously represent MTS and its capabilities to leaders and the public around the globe as well as in the US. Having been both a scientist and a policymaker, I know that the former can benefit in multiple ways from doors being opened to the world of government and public affairs, and the latter can benefit substantially from engagement with scientists and technologists when their talents are suitably articulated. My vision is an MTS that is fully attuned and engaged in governmental and public arenas that are key to success in marine science and technology.