Anita L. Lopez facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Anita L. Lopez
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps |
| Years of service | 1991–2018 |
| Rank |  Rear admiral (lower half) |
| Commands held | Deputy Director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Deputy Director for Operations, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations NOAAS Oscar Elton Sette |
| Awards | Department of Commerce Silver Medal NOAA Administrator's Award NOAA Corps Commendation Medal (3) NOAA Corps Achievement Medal (5) |
Anita L. Lopez is a former officer who worked for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). This is a special group of people who operate ships and aircraft for NOAA, which studies the ocean and atmosphere. She was a high-ranking officer, serving as the deputy director of the NOAA Corps. She also helped manage NOAA's ships and planes.
After retiring from NOAA in 2018, Anita Lopez started working at the University of Hawaii. There, she helps manage research ships and is involved in making sure everyone feels included and valued in ocean science.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Anita Lopez grew up in Pasadena, California. Her family has roots in the Yaqui people. When she was young, she was part of a special club called an Explorer Post at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This experience helped her become interested in engineering.
In 1989, she earned a degree in electronic engineering technology from DeVry University. Later, in 1996, she got a certificate in project management from the University of Washington. Before joining NOAA, she worked in Japan and South Korea, helping to install equipment for making computer chips. In 1991, she joined the NOAA Corps as an ensign, which is a junior officer rank.
Career Highlights
Anita Lopez's career has focused on important areas like managing fisheries (making sure we fish responsibly), doing ocean research, and helping with ship operations. She also worked on understanding risks and managing big projects.
Time at Sea
Anita Lopez spent more than nine years working at sea on eight different NOAA ships. She served on ships like the Discoverer, David Starr Jordan, and Miller Freeman. She even became the commanding officer of the ship NOAAS Oscar Elton Sette.
While leading the Oscar Elton Sette, she made a very important decision. She helped evacuate 17 people from remote islands in the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument before Hurricane Neki arrived. This quick thinking helped keep everyone safe.
Working on Land
On land, Anita Lopez held many important roles at NOAA. She worked at NOAA headquarters and at research centers like the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory. She also served as the Executive Director to NOAA's Deputy Under Secretary of Operations. From 2012 to 2014, she was the Commanding Officer of the NOAA Marine Operations Center–Atlantic in Virginia.
In 2014, she was promoted to Deputy Director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. She also became the Deputy Director for Operations of NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO). In these roles, she was in charge of leading and managing NOAA's fleet of ships and aircraft. She also managed the 321 NOAA officers and nearly 1,000 civilian staff who worked for OMAO.
Current Role at University of Hawaii
Since 2018, Anita Lopez has been the Director of Research Vessel Operations at the University of Hawaii. She is in charge of managing and maintaining the university's research ships, small boats, and underwater vehicles. She also works with government agencies to get funding and schedule research trips.
She helps plan for new research vessels and facilities to support ocean research in Hawaii. She also manages a large budget of about $14.5 million each year. She is responsible for the safety and well-being of about 65 employees who work on shore and at sea. She also serves on the University – National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) Council, which helps coordinate oceanographic research across many universities.
Anita Lopez is also active in her local community. She supports ocean safety and conservation by serving on the board of a non-profit organization called Na Kama Kai.
Awards and Recognition
Anita Lopez has received several awards for her excellent service:
- Department of Commerce Silver Medal
- NOAA Administrator's Award
- NOAA Corps Commendation Medal (three times)
- NOAA Corps Achievement Medal (five times)
- NOAA Corps Director's Ribbon (three times)
- NOAA Unit Citation Award
- Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (three times)
- NOAA Corps Pacific Service Ribbon (five times)
- NOAA Corps International Service Ribbon (four times)
She also earned special badges:
