Nancy Hann

Nancy A. Hann (born 1973) is a vice admiral in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps. Hann is the deputy under secretary for operations at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.^[1][2] She was held of role of acting NOAA Administrator from January 20 to March 31, 2025.^[3] She previously served as the director of the NOAA Corps and director of the NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).^[4] Prior to that, Hann was the NOAA Corps and OMAO's deputy director.^[5] Hann is the first woman to achieve the rank of vice admiral in the history of the NOAA Corps and its predecessors.

Nancy Hann
Official portrait, 2024
Born	1973 (age 51–52)
Allegiance	United States
Branch	NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps
Years of service	1999–present
Rank	Vice Admiral
Commands	Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere Acting Administrator, NOAA Deputy Under Secretary for Operations, NOAA Director, NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps Director, NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations
Awards	Department of Commerce Silver Medal with O device Department of Commerce Bronze Medal
Alma mater	University of San Diego (BA) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (MS) George Washington University (GrDip) Harvard University (MPA)

Hann in 2023 discussing Pamela Chelgren, the first female officer in the NOAA Corps

Early life

Nancy Hann grew up in Illinois, as a child she recalled one of her favorite things was to watch the thunderstorms. She's always been interested in Earth's weather and her mother claimed she had been interested in weather patterns since the beginning.^{[citation needed]}

Career

Hann started her career with NOAA as a fisheries observer in 1996 and she commissioned as an officer in the NOAA Corps in 1999. She served on commercial fishing vessels, NSF research vessels and various NOAA ships and aircraft, as a pilot, flight meteorologist, NOAA Diver and unmanned aircraft systems pilot.^[6] She is responsible for the direct leadership and management of OMAO's operational assets, including the agency's fleet of 16 research and survey vessels and nine aircraft.

Prior Assignments:

• Commanding officer of the NOAA Aircraft Operations Center
• Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Chief of Staff.
• Executive Officer at the NOAA Marine Operations Center-Atlantic
• Associate Director at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory
• NOAA liaison to the U.S. Pacific Command.^[6]

In July 2021, RDML Hann was nominated for promotion to rear admiral (two-stars) and assignment as the new director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, succeeding retired Rear Admiral Michael J. Silah. She was confirmed on 16 November 2021.^[7]

In June 2024, RADM Hann was appointed for promotion to vice admiral and appointment as NOAA's deputy under secretary for operations.^[8][9][10] She assumed office and rank, effective 15 July 2024.^[11][12]

On January 20, 2025, Hann became Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere as well as NOAA Administrator.^[3]

On April 1, 2025, Hann returned to her position as NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Operations. ^[13]

Education

• A.S. in Project Management at George Washington University
• B.A. in Marine Science and Biology at the University of San Diego
• M.S. in Space Studies and Remote Sensing at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
• M.P.A at the Harvard University Kennedy School

Awards

NOAA Aviator insignia

	Department of Commerce Gold Medal with "O" device
	Department of Commerce Silver Medal with "O" device
	Department of Commerce Bronze Medal
	NOAA Corps Meritorious Service Medal
	NOAA Administrator's Award
	NOAA Corps Commendation Medal with two 5⁄16 inch gold stars
	NOAA Corps Achievement Medal with three 5⁄16" gold stars
	NOAA Corps Director's Ribbon with two 5⁄16" gold stars
	NOAA Unit Citation Award with 3⁄16" bronze star
	NOAA Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
	NOAA Corps Pacific Service Ribbon
	NOAA Corps Mobile Duty Service Ribbon
	NOAA National Response Service Ribbon