Margaret A. Davidson has served since 1996 as the Director of NOAAÕs Coastal Services Center, a national enterprise established to accelerate access to the science and technology capabilities of NOAA and its partners to improve coastal and ocean resource management as practiced at state and local levels. From August 2000 to October 2002, Margaret also served as the Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. Before coming to NOAA, Margaret served sixteen years with the South Carolina Sea Grant Consortium, thirteen as the Executive Director. She began her coastal career as an Assistant Attorney General and Special Counsel for the Louisiana Department of Justice.

Ms. Davidson holds a MMA from the University of Rhode Island and a JD from Louisiana State University. She has served in positions of leadership for several national and professional organizations, regularly teaches a graduate level multi-disciplinary course, and is frequently requested to serve as a facilitator and presenter for civic and professional organizations.

Her professional interests include climate and weather variability and its impact on coastal resources, integrated coastal management, and aquaculture and fisheries management. She was a Fulbright Scholar for coastal resource management at Prince of Songkhla University, Thailand in 1992-93.