Jonathan Wickliffe White (born c. 1957 in Panama City, Florida) is a retired United States Navy admiral and

oceanography Oceanography (), also known as oceanology and ocean science, is the scientific study of the oceans. It is an Earth science, which covers a wide range of topics, including ecosystem dynamics; ocean currents, waves, and geophysical fluid dynamic ...

leader.

Early life

White was born in Panama City, Florida. His father was a World War II Army Air Corps veteran and Purple Heart recipient; his mother supported the war through her work in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. His passion for the ocean began at age seven, thanks to the influence of a Navy diver who lived next door. White received a Bachelor of Science degree in Oceanographic Technology from Florida Institute of Technology in 1981. He received a Master of Arts degree from the US

Naval Postgraduate School The Naval Postgraduate School (NPS) is a public graduate school operated by the United States Navy and located in Monterey, California. It offers master’s and doctoral degrees in more than 70 fields of study to the U.S. Armed Forces, DOD ci ...

in 1983.

U.S. Navy career

After working at sea as a civilian oceanographer on board a seismic survey vessel, he was commissioned through Navy Officer Candidate School in 1983, and assigned as a surface warfare officer to USS John L. Hall (FFG 32) in Mayport, Florida. During his Navy career White served as Destroyer Group commander, then as superintendent of the US Naval Observatory. He was a commander in the

Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command The Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command (COMNAVMETOCCOM) or CNMOC, serves as the operational arm of the Naval Oceanography Program. Headquartered at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, CNMOC is an echelon three command reporting to ...

. In 2012 he was elevated to Rear Admiral rank, and was designated as the Oceanographer and Navigator of the US Navy, and Director of the Navy Task Force assigned to address climate change. Due to global warming, the Arctic ice is melting and dispersing faster than previously anticipated. In response, the US Navy is examining an increased presence in polar areas. In 2012, White was designated to direct this research. His group are considering increased satellite coverage in high-latitude areas, modifying existing ship designs to safely operate in polar conditions, and budgetary projections to cover such operations. White retired from active duty in the U.S. Navy on 31 October 2015.

Post-navy career

White was appointed as president and CEO of (COL) in January 2016. In this role he supervises and controls all of the business and affairs of the organization. COL is a Washington, D.C. nonprofit organization that represents the leading public and private ocean research education institutions, aquaria, and industry with the mission to shape the future of ocean science and technology. In addition to its advocacy role as the voice of the ocean research and technology community, COL manages a variety of community-wide research and education programs in areas of ocean observing, ocean exploration, and ocean partnerships. White is a member of the Center for Climate and Security's Advisory Board.

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Living people 1950s births People from Panama City, Florida Florida Institute of Technology alumni American oceanographers Naval Postgraduate School alumni United States Navy admirals {{US-navy-bio-stub