The Sky's the Limit: An Interview with Megan [Stateler] Gaston '09
Published on March 11, 2026
NOAA Corps Commander joins NOAA Fisheries Southeast.
When she’s not flying into hurricanes collecting critical data for hurricane research and forecasts, NOAA Corps Commander, former test pilot, and Navy veteran, Megan Gaston works at NOAA Fisheries’ Southeast Regional Office. Gaston started her new assignment in January.
NOAA Corps assignments operate on a rotational system. Officers typically alternate between operational roles either at sea (mariners) or in the air (aviators) and land-based shore assignments every 2 to 5 years. These assignments are designed to build a mix of operational experience, technical expertise, and leadership capabilities. All officers are expected to serve in both capacities over their careers.
BZ '09!