Joshua Lee

🚀 Cloud, AI, and Digital Transformation

I am the Cloud Program Director for NOAA Fisheries within the Office of the Chief Information Officer at NOAA Headquarters in Silver Spring, MD, driving enterprise cloud adoption, IT modernization, and digital transformation to enhance mission-critical fisheries research and operations.

I hold a B.S. in Environmental Studies from Northern Arizona University and am currently pursuing a Master’s in Information Technology Management at Georgetown University. My passions lie in cloud, AI, web technologies, data architecture, legacy decomposition patterns, and domain-driven design (DDD)—key elements in building and improving modern information systems.

I lead the strategic adoption of cloud technologies across NOAA Fisheries. I spearhead the Fisheries Cloud Strategy, which defines the vision for technology modernization, cloud governance, and the implementation of scalable, secure, and cost-effective cloud solutions.

Previously, as Branch Chief of the Data and Information Systems Branch at the Northeast Fisheries Science Center, I directed project managers, data analysts, and developers, leading the development of secure web, desktop, API, and database solutions supporting fisheries monitoring and research efforts. My leadership spanned key programs, including: Northeast Observer Program, At-Sea Monitoring Program, Electronic Monitoring Program, Cooperative Research Study Fleet Program, Gulf of Maine Bottom Longline Survey

I began my career at NOAA's Pacific Islands Regional Office, first as a fisheries observer and program staff, later supporting the Sustainable Fisheries Division, where I contributed to regional fisheries management actions under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, Endangered Species Act, and Marine Mammal Protection Act.

🎓 Education:
📍 Master’s in Information Technology Management (In Progress) – Georgetown University
📍 B.S. in Environmental Studies – Northern Arizona University

Recognitions & Leadership Development
✔ 2018 NOAA Fisheries Pacific Islands Regional Office Leadership Program
✔ 2016 NMFS Employee of the Year
✔ 2014 NMFS Team Member of the Year
✔ 2014 NOAA General Counsel Award for designing an innovative data extraction solution

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