John Nyberg: The Ocean Mapping Leader Driving Collaborative Action
03 May 2023
From CNMOC and NOAA Coast Survey Public Affairs Teams
John Nyberg has dedicated much of his life to ocean mapping, with over 20 years of experience working with government and public sector stakeholders to facilitate international cooperation initiatives that ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of marine transportation. Throughout his career, John has managed international, interagency,
John Nyberg has dedicated much of his life to ocean mapping, with over 20 years of experience working with government and public sector stakeholders to facilitate international cooperation initiatives that ensure the safety, efficiency, and sustainability of marine transportation. Throughout his career, John has managed international, interagency, and legislative engagements and developed high-performing teams of 100+ employees to produce and distribute thousands of nautical charting products.
As a key member of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), John played an instrumental role in transitioning from a raster product, a paper-chart organization to one leading with the electronic navigational charts (ENC) as signature products. He also increased production rates during the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating his ability to pilot multiple transitional periods at NOAA and internationally with calm, diplomacy, and expertise to drive collaborative action.
His focus on seeing challenges as opportunities to create value has contributed to ocean mapping capacity-building programs, specialized training for specialists from developing countries, and successful international agreements. He is known for his ability to listen, build consensus, and generate impactful results.
In reflecting on the evolution of hydrographic history, John remarks, "There have been incredible changes to the way we collect and present our information throughout hydrographic history, but there have also been massive changes to the way we manage our workforces, data, and products." He emphasizes that NOAA's commitment to science and exploration, which has lasted for over 200 years, is foundational to their program and work.
John's credentials include a Ph.D. in Earth Systems and Geo-information Sciences from George Mason University, an MA in International Business from the University of Maryland Global Campus, and a BA in Geography from the University of Florida. He regularly represents the U.S. and NOAA in committee meetings and international negotiations and serves on multiple working groups and committees of the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), International Center for Electronic Navigational Charts, and the United Nations Committee of Experts on Global Geospatial Information Management (UN-GGIM).
His insights on the importance of hydrographic and geospatial science from a national perspective have been integral to the US hydrographic history. He notes that "the recognition of the importance of hydrographic and geospatial science, from a national perspective, to support marine navigation is the most important milestone in US hydrographic history." He further highlights that the transition to a digital world has had a profound impact on the way the US manages its hydrographic programs, the skill sets that make up their workforces, the types of information they manage, and the tools they use for their daily work.
His leadership in ocean mapping has driven international collaboration initiatives, capacity-building programs, and successful agreements. He is a testament to the value of diplomacy, expertise, and the ability to "get things done" in driving impactful results.
John Nyberg is in the running for one of the Director leadership positions in the International Hydrographic Organization.