NOAA's chief scientist will investigate why agency backed Trump over its experts on Dorian, email sh

[MBS]

8. definitely could be worse.

He also participated in renovation of the marine science exhibits at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History.
He doesn't seem to have a Ph.D. but I think that his commitment to the mission of the NOAA, and to the importance of real data, are clear. His 2015 promotion by Kathryn Sullivan, and support for his 2015 appointment by the NSF geosciences directorate (see #7, above) is also reassuring.

Here's an excerpt from his current NOAA bio:
https://www.noaa.gov/our-people/leadership/craig-mclean

Mr. McLean has previously served in NOAA as Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator of the National Ocean Service, was the founding Director of OAR’s Office of Ocean Exploration and Research and served in uniform for nearly 25 years in NOAA's Commissioned Corps, attaining the rank of Captain. Mr. McLean served aboard hydrographic, oceanographic, and fisheries research ships and was the first commanding officer of the NOAA Ship Gordon Gunter. Craig led NOAA's innovation and planning for the Smithsonian Institution's Sant Ocean Hall, and achieved a National Ocean Action Plan goal of securing a permanent, dedicated ship for the National Ocean Exploration Program, the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

Craig is also an attorney and has practiced marine resource law for NOAA. He has been awarded the Department of Commerce Silver and Bronze Medals, the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal, and Special Achievement Medal. Mr. McLean is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, and of the Marine Technology Society, and a past-president and chairman of the Sea-Space Symposium.