Millennium Magazine_7th Ed

132 Millennium - A Marquis Who’s Who Magazine ENERGY, ENGINEERING AND MANUFACTURING Civically involved as well, Ms. Thomas has volunteered as an oceanography educator for school children. She has maintained affiliation with the American Geophysical Union, and attributes her success to her love for oceanography and the wonderful individuals with whom she has had the opportunity to work. She has always enjoyed connecting with people at the local, regional and national level, as well as working offshore. She notes that field work has been challenging, but one of the most rewarding aspects of her profession. Ms. Thomas emphasizes that one must have a love for the water, a vision and an aptitude for forward thinking. She was influenced by Dr. Richard Seymour, the founder of the Coastal Data Information Program, and David Castel, the long-serving Program Manager. They promoted ideas of high quality data, extensive user support and interactions with local, state and federal entities. F eeling at home around the sea, Julianna Thomas sailed from San Diego to Panama over a course of four months in 1975, thus solidifying her love for the ocean. Drawing upon a Master’s Degree fromSan Diego State University and postgraduate coursework in mathematics, science and programming, she most recently served as the Program Manager and Principal Investigator for the Coastal Data Information Program at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography of the University of California San Diego, a role she held from 2001 to 2019. She began at the Scripps Institution in 1976. During her tenure there, Ms. Thomas was also the Executive Director of the Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System from 2008 to 2017 and Program Manager of Southern California Beach Processes Study for the Pacific Island Ocean Typhoon Program from 2001 to 2011. Since 2018, she has sat on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel for the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration, as well as a decadel survey panel member for the National Academy of Sciences in 2016. JULIANNA THOMAS PROGRAM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (RETIRED) Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego Cardiff by the Sea, CA