[1] She previously served as the commanding officer of NOAA's Marine Operations Center–Atlantic in Norfolk, Virginia from June 2012 to January 2014.

[4] Lopez first took a job in the private sector as an installation engineer in the semiconductor manufacturing industry in Japan and South Korea.

She is fiscally responsible for planning, development, and execution of all federal grants, state funding, and service contracts within the program totaling approximately $14.5M annually.

A team oriented leader, she is responsible for the safety and well-being of approximately 65 shore-side and underway employees; ensuring all personnel are operational risk minded in their actions, well trained, and valued in their job assignments.

[1] While commanding Oscar Elton Sette, Lopez was recognized for personal and professional excellence for, "proactive activities leading to the timely and potentially life saving decision to evacuate 17 federal employees, contractors, and volunteers from remote island camps in the Papahanaumokuakea National Monument in advance of Hurricane Neki.

[1] Sworn-in and promoted by Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker on January 2, 2014, Lopez served as Deputy Director of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps and as Deputy Director for Operations of NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO).