During nearly 30 years at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), including 7 years in senior leadership positions. Sam oversaw NOAA’s emergence as an international leader in using differential GPS, high-resolution side scan sonar, and shallow water multi-beam systems to survey the sea floor. During his Federal career, Sam conducted hydrographic surveys throughout U.S. coastal waters as part of NOAA’s national nautical charting database. 

Sam also oversaw NOAA’s $200 million annual budget supporting the operations and maintenance of its research ships, aircraft and Commissioned Officers corps. During his final year as director of NOAA operations, NOAA ships and aircraft had a 95 percent mission readiness record.

After retiring from NOAA, Sam became Director of the Center of Excellence for Research on Offshore Renewable Energy at the University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography. There he directed the research for a $10 million marine spatial planning effort that led to the first offshore windfarm in the US off Block Island. 

Sam is currently under contract to the NOAA Office of Coast Survey as a Enterprise Digital Product Manger supporting NOAA’s Nautical Charting Program. 

Sam is also active with the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Since 2015, he has been a member of the Academies’ Marine Board and he currently serves as a member of the Autonomous Ships, Vehicles, and Shipping / Future of Navigation Team as well as the Offshore Wind Energy Team.