President Donald Trump waited 19 months to nominate someone to lead the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy, a long-term vacancy bemoaned by many science-related associations.

Now several groups are applauding Trump's pick, announced July 31: meteorologist and extreme-weather expert Kelvin Droegemeier.

"Kelvin Droegemeier is an excellent choice for White House science adviser," said Mary Woolley, CEO of Research!America. "He has an outstanding track record in service to science in the public's interest. We urge Congress to confirm his nomination quickly in a bipartisan manner."

Droegemeier is a professor and vice president for research at the University of Oklahoma. He is also secretary of science and technology in the cabinet of Oklahoma Gov. Mary Fallin. He was on the board of the National Science Foundation for 12 years, including two terms as vice chair. He was named a fellow of the American Meteorological Society in 2001, at that time one of the youngest fellows ever elected to AMS. He is also a fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science.

"Science and technology are embedded in almost every issue that the president deals with, and since 2016 we've urged the nomination of a respected scientist or engineer," said AAAS CEO Rush Holt in a statement. "Kelvin Droegemeier is such a scientist."

National Science Foundation Director France Córdova said in a statement: "At a time when NSF and its partners are working to enhance the economy, national defense and the U.S. position as a global innovation leader, I am grateful that such a champion of basic research has been selected for this important role."

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