Plenary/Keynote Speakers

Craig McLean
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, USA

Craig McLean is the deputy for NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research programs and administration. He is responsible for daily operations and administration of NOAA's research enterprise, and the execution of NOAA programs including the Climate program, the National Sea Grant College program, and, Ocean Exploration and Research.

He has previously served in NOAA as Executive Officer of the National Ocean Service, and was the founding Director of NOAA's Office of Ocean Exploration. McLean served in uniform for nearly 25 years, retiring from NOAA's Commissioned Corps in the grade of Captain after service at sea, underwater, and in operational, legal, and marine resource management positions. McLean served aboard hydrographic, oceanographic, and fisheries research ships and was the first commanding officer of NOAA's largest fisheries research vessel, the 224-foot Gordon Gunter. He was instrumental in the development of the Smithsonian Institution's Ocean Hall, and in obtai ning a dedicated ship for the national ocean exploration program, the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer.

A life long diver, he began exploring deep shipwrecks through decompression diving while in junior high school. These experiences have taken him to the Amazon River searching for freshwater dolphins, and to the RMS Titanic searching for solutions in international shipwreck management.
Craig McLean is also an attorney and has practiced marine resource law for NOAA. He has been awarded the Departmental Silver and Bronze Medals, the NOAA Corps Commendation Medal, and Special Achievement Medal. He is a Fellow of the Explorers Club, and of the Marine Technology Society, and a Past-President and Chairman of the Sea-Space Symposium.

Dr Neville Smith
Bureau of Meteorology, Melbourne, Australia

Dr Neville Smith is the Deputy Director (Research and Systems) at the Bureau of Meteorology. Dr Smith was previously Chief Scientist and head of the Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, prior to the creation of the Centre for Australian Weather and Climate Research. As a scientist, Dr Smith played a key role in the development of ocean and climate prediction systems and has worked with the international community in the development of observing systems for climate. Dr Smith is currently the National Delegate to the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission and a member of the IPCC Bureau.

 
Commodore Bruce Kafer
AM, CSC, RAN

Commodore Bruce Kafer joined the Royal Australian Navy as a Cadet Midshipman in 1977. In 1982 he specialised in hydrographic surveying and, on completion of his basic survey course, served in hydrographic survey ships of the RAN and Royal Navy.

The highlights of Commodore Kafer’s seagoing career have been command of the RAN ships HMAS FLINDERS and HMAS LEEUWIN.  He has also had a variety of senior staff appointments ashore, most recently as the Chief, Combat Support Group in Fleet Headquarters.  He also served for four years as Hydrographer and Commander of the RAN’s Hydrographic, Meteorological and Oceanographic Force Element Group.

For seven months in 2008-09 Commodore Kafer held command of Combined Task Force 158, then Combined Task Force 152, coalition maritime task forces responsible for security in the Persian Gulf.  In late 2009 he assumed duties as the Commandant, Australian Defence Force Academy.