Our Team
Jonathan Pennock, Ph.D.
Director
![](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/2-20-240x300.png)
Jonathan Pennock is the director of the National Sea Grant College Program and the National Sea Grant Office. He oversees the strategic direction of the Program, the support and integration of the work of the 34 state Sea Grant Programs, and the growth of the Program as codified in Sea Grant’s authorizing legislation.
Jon is a nationally-known coastal scientist with expertise in oceanography and estuarine sciences and has a long list of administrative experiences at both university and federal levels. In addition to his Sea Grant responsibilities, Jon serves on the executive boards of the NOAA RESTORE program and Ocean Acidification Program, and as a member of the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Senior Research Council.
Jon holds a Ph.D. degree in Oceanography and a Master’s degree in Marine Studies from the University of Delaware, and a bachelor’s in Biology from Earlham College. Previously he served as the director of the New Hampshire Sea Grant Program and the deputy director of the School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering at the University of New Hampshire, and as a faculty member at the University of Alabama and the Dauphin Island Sea Lab where he served as Chair of University Programs.
In his spare time, Jon enjoys sailing and kayaking, photography, working in his shop and yard and playing with his grandchildren.
Email: jonathan.pennock@noaa.gov
Learn More About Our Work
![GO Virginia Biogenic Solutions Four people install substrate for an oyster reef.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/53238624329_3155374926_o-scaled-qpguz40sa8z2203pip8r3lbhpjgcpo3ry8pyvr6h6w.jpg)
![GO Virginia Biogenic Solutions Four people install substrate for an oyster reef.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/53238624329_3155374926_o-scaled-qpguz40sa8z2203pip8r3lbhpjgcpo3ry8pyvr6h6w.jpg)
Biden-Harris Administration invests $60 million to build a climate-ready workforce through Investing in America agenda
May 2024 Desk of Director
![De’Marcus Robinson De'Marcus Robinson stands in front of the White House.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DeMarcus-Robinson-cover-qp4ounyl1tomkugliz31xppeiju0h4l4rvr1qh55e0.png)
![De’Marcus Robinson De'Marcus Robinson stands in front of the White House.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/DeMarcus-Robinson-cover-qp4ounyl1tomkugliz31xppeiju0h4l4rvr1qh55e0.png)
Knauss fellow embraces the wider ocean view
![aquaculture_academy_2024_group Frank Lopez | NC Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/aquaculture_academy_2024_group-scaled-qnmipi5v7q405ddhcwo308phvq4wurypglhvwt19jc.jpg)
![aquaculture_academy_2024_group Frank Lopez | NC Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/aquaculture_academy_2024_group-scaled-qnmipi5v7q405ddhcwo308phvq4wurypglhvwt19jc.jpg)
Sea Grant Aquaculture Academy in New Hampshire
![Sea Grant Special Issue Cover Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sea-Grant-Special-Issue-Cover-qnh0oafhp4r4p6yfyrjn0rvn6n4mv0h4a9d2bllci0.png)
![Sea Grant Special Issue Cover Images of Sea Grant's work in research, education and extension provided by (from left to right) Wisconsin, Guam and Florida Sea Grant programs. Design by Hallee Meltzer | National Sea Grant Office.](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sea-Grant-Special-Issue-Cover-qnh0oafhp4r4p6yfyrjn0rvn6n4mv0h4a9d2bllci0.png)
Sea Grant takes center stage in Oceanography special issue
![VA SG impacts cover image Photo courtesy of Virginia Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/VA-SG-impacts-cover-image-qljjinlfnqjlf3gcv9u9dythkovsroffpjqnlx7zbc.jpg)
![VA SG impacts cover image Photo courtesy of Virginia Sea Grant](https://seagrant.noaa.gov/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/VA-SG-impacts-cover-image-qljjinlfnqjlf3gcv9u9dythkovsroffpjqnlx7zbc.jpg)