Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology

Last updated
United States
Under Secretary of Commerce
for Standards and Technology
Flag of the United States Department of Commerce.svg
Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt.jpg
Incumbent
Craig Burkhardt
Acting  
since January 20, 2025
AppointerThe president
with Senate advice and consent
FormationJanuary 4, 2011
First holder Patrick D. Gallagher
Website Official website

The under secretary of commerce for standards and technology, or USC(ST), is a high-ranking official in the United States Department of Commerce and the principal advisor to the United States secretary of commerce on the technological development. The under secretary is dual hatted as the director of the national institute of standards and technology within the Commerce Department.

Contents

The under secretary is appointed by the president of the United States with the consent of the United States Senate to serve at the pleasure of the president. The current under secretary is Laurie E. Locascio, who was appointed by President Joe Biden and assumed office on April 19, 2022. Locascio is a biomedical researcher, former National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) official, and current vice president for research at two University of Maryland locations. [1]

Overview

As the director of NIST, the under secretary is responsible for promoting American innovation and industrial competitiveness by advancing measurement science, standards, and technology in ways that enhance economic security and improve our quality of life.

With the rank of under secretary, the USC(ST)/Director is a Level III position within the Executive Schedule. The under secretary ranks sixth in the line of succession for the office of Secretary of Commerce.

History

The position of under secretary/director was created by the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010, which was signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2010.

In the Electronic Commerce Technology Promotion Act, the 106th Congress created a position for Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology, [2] appointing Dr Cheryl L. Shavers to the position. [3]

Reporting officials

NIST officials reporting to the USC(ST)/Director include:

Officeholders

  Denotes an acting under secretary of commerce for standards and technology
No.PortraitNameTook officeLeft officeTenure President
serving under
1 Patrick D. Gallagher official photo.jpg Patrick D. Gallagher January 4, 2011June 19, 20143 years, 166 days Barack Obama
2 Willie E. May.jpg Willie E. May May 5, 2015January 3, 20171 year, 243 days
- Kent Rochford, NIST Acting Director.jpg Kent Rochford January 4, 2017January 20, 201716 days
January 20, 2017October 15, 2017268 days
(284 days total)		 Donald Trump
3 Walter G. Copan official photo.jpg Walter Copan October 16, 2017January 20, 20213 years, 96 days
- James K. Olthoff, NIST Associate Director.jpg James K. Olthoff January 20, 2021April 19, 20221 year, 89 days Joe Biden
4 Laurie E. Locascio 2022 (cropped).png Laurie E. Locascio April 19, 2022December 31, 20242 years, 256 days
- Charles Romine (6436372243).jpg Charles H. Romine January 1, 2025January 20, 202519 days
- Acting Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology Craig Burkhardt.jpg Craig Burkhardt January 20, 2025Present209 days Donald Trump

See also

References

  1. ↑ "President Biden Announces Seven Key Nominations" (Press release). Washington, D.C.: White House. July 16, 2021. Retrieved July 17, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Electronic Commerce Technology Promotion Act" . Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  3. ↑ US Senate (10 November 1999). "PN26 — Cheryl Shavers — Department of Commerce". Congress.gov. US Congress. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
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