Conrad C. Lautenbacher is a retired Navy Vice Admiral, was the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere within the United States Department of Commerce and the eighth administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. He was appointed to the position on December 19, 2001 and resigned effective October 31, 2008 in anticipation of a new White House administration.

Before joining the Department of Commerce, Lautenbacher formed his own management consultant business, and worked principally for Technology, Strategies & Alliances Inc. He was also president and CEO of the Consortium for Oceanographic Research and Education, which is a non-profit organization with the goal of increasing basic knowledge and public support across the spectrum of ocean sciences. He possesses a Master of Science degree and a Ph.D in applied mathematics from Harvard University.

He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1964 and is a retired Navy Vice Admiral with 40 years of service. His Navy experience includes tours as Commanding Officer of the USS Hewitt (DD-966), Commander of Naval Station Norfolk; and Commander of Cruiser-Destroyer Group Five. He had additional duties as Commander of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command at Riyadh during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.