Samuel D. Rauch III

Mr. Rauch is the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs. Mr. Rauch oversees NOAA Fisheries' regulatory actions and programs, including those to support the conservation and recovery of marine mammals and endangered species; ensure economically and biologically sustainable fisheries; and promote habitat stewardship through restoration and conservation. Coordination of the NOAA Fisheries' aquaculture activities and outreach, and the agency’s National Environmental Policy Act programs are also under his purview. From 2004 to 2006, he served as the Assistant General Counsel for Fisheries where he supervised a team of attorneys, paralegals, and support staff responsible for providing legal counsel to NOAA Fisheries. He also served as the Deputy Assistant Administrator for Regulatory Programs at NOAA Fisheries since 2006. Prior to joining NOAA, Mr. Rauch served as a trial attorney and the Assistant Section Chief for the Wildlife and Marine Resources Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division, U.S. Department of Justice. Mr. Rauch holds a J.D. from the Northwestern School of Law of Lewis & Clark College, an M.S. from the University of Georgia, and a B.A. from the University of Virginia. He has also received many honors during his career, including NOAA General Counsel Awards (1998, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2010); Department of Justice Special Achievement Awards (1997, 1998, 2000, 2002); and Department of Commerce Gold Medal (2007), Bronze Medal (2011), and the Presidential Rank Award (2011).