John H. Gibbons has served with distinction as an experimental physicist; expert in energy supply and conservation; and environmental technology development. In 1973 at the start of the nation's first major energy crisis he was appointed first director of the Federal Office of Energy Conservation. He returned to Washington in 1979 to direct the U.S. Congressional Office of Technology Assessment, and from 1993-1998 he served in the Clinton-Gore Administration as Assistant to the President for Science and Technology and director of the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.

While at the White House, Gibbons was particularly active in, for example, defending research budgets; cessation of nuclear testing; supporting bilateral and multilateral cooperation in basic science and nuclear arms control; space; climate change; environment; and health. He was a key player in establishing Presidential initiatives, including the Partnership for a New Generation of Vehicles (PNGV) and the National Bioethics Advisory Commission.

Since leaving the White House, Dr. Gibbons has continued an active role in numerous public and private service activities.