David Titley Brief Biography

portrait of David Titley

David Titley

David Titley served as a naval officer for 32 years and rose to the rank of Rear Admiral.  Dr. Titley’s career included duties as commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command; oceanographer and navigator of the Navy; and deputy assistant chief of naval operations for information dominance.  He also served as senior military assistant for the director, Office of Net Assessment in the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

In 2009, Dr. Titley initiated and led the U.S. Navy’s Task Force on Climate Change.  After retiring from the Navy, Dr. Titley served as the Deputy Undersecretary of Commerce for Operations, the chief operating officer position at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Dr. Titley serves on numerous advisory boards and National Academies of Science committees, including the CNA Military Advisory Board, the Advisory Board of the Center for Climate and Security, the Science and Security Board of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists, and the National Academy of Science Board on Atmospheric Sciences and Climate.

Dr. Titley is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society.   He was awarded an honorary doctorate from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks.  In 2017, Dr. Titley was the recipient of the College of Earth and Mineral Science Wilson Award for excellence in service.

Dr. Titley has retired from his position as Professor of Practice in the Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science, a Professor in the School of International Affairs.  He is the founding Director of Center for Solutions to Weather and Climate Risk at the Pennsylvania State University.