Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology

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.

United States
Under Secretary of Commerce
for Standards and Technology
Incumbent
vacant
since January 20, 2021
WebsiteOfficial website

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. A past Under Secretary is Patrick D. Gallagher, who was appointed by President Barack Obama on November 5, 2009.[1] On May 5, 2015, Willie E. May became Under Secretary.[2] On January 4, 2017, May retired and Kent Rochford became acting Under Secretary.[3] On September 12, 2017, Walter Copan was announced as the nominee for Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology.[4] Copan was confirmed unanimously by the U.S. Senate on October 5, 2017. Copan left office on January 20, 2021.

Overview

As the Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology, 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.

The 106th Congress had created a position for Under Secretary of Commerce for Technology in the Electronic Commerce Technology Promotion Act,[5] appointing Dr Cheryl L. Shavers to the position.[6]

Reporting officials

Officials reporting to the USC(ST)/Director include:

  • Associate Director for Laboratory Program/Principal Deputy
  • Associate Director for Innovation and Industry Services
  • Associate DIrector for Management Resources

See also

References
  1. Official Biography of NIST Director Patrick D. Gallagher, National Institute of Standards and Technology Archived 2014-09-24 at the Wayback Machine
  2. Official Biography of NIST Director Willie E. May, National Institute of Standards and Technology
  3. Official Biography of Acting NIST Director Kent Rochford, Department of Commerce
  4. Official announcement of the nomination of Dr. Walter Copan for director of NIST, White House
  5. "Electronic Commerce Technology Promotion Act". Retrieved 20 February 2017.
  6. US Senate. "PN26 — Cheryl Shavers — Department of Commerce". Congress.gov. US Congress. Retrieved 20 February 2017.
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