Terry Garcia

For 17 years, Terry Garcia was the executive vice president and chief science and exploration officer for the National Geographic Society. He was responsible for the Society's core mission programs, including those that supported and managed more than 400 scientific field research, conservation and exploration projects annually. In June 2010, Garcia was appointed by President Obama to serve on the National Commission on the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling. Prior to joining National Geographic, Garcia was assistant secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere for the U.S. Department of Commerce, and the deputy administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). He is currently CEO of Exploration Ventures, a company providing strategic advice and counsel to global clients in a range of sectors.