Mary Ellen Kicza, an award-winning aerospace engineer and federal satellite program manager, this week became the new deputy assistant administrator of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service, the agency announced. Kicza will help manage a wide range of operations, including oversight of NOAA’s current satellites, climate, oceanographic and geophysical data gathering, and planning for future NOAA satellite systems.

Kicza comes to NOAA from NASA, where she most recently served as the associate deputy administrator for systems integration. As a senior NASA official, Kicza was responsible for ensuring critical support elements were in place to execute NASA’s missions. Her senior-level accomplishments earned her two Meritorious Service Awards, NASA’s Distinguished Service and Scientific Achievement Medals.

Kicza began her career as an engineer at McClellan Air Force Base in California, developing and testing software for the U.S. Air Force satellite communications systems. In 1982, she joined NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she was a lead engineer for the Atlas Centaur and Shuttle Centaur launch vehicles. While at NASA, she also served as deputy director for the Solar System Exploration Division, assistant associate administrator for Space Science, associate center director for the Goddard Space Flight Center and associate administrator for Biological and Physical Research.

“I am pleased to be a part of this terrific NOAA team and look forward to supporting the NOAA mission,” Kicza said. She received her bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from California State University, and a master’s in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’S SATELLITE AND INFORMATION SERVICE WELCOMES NEW DEPUTY ASSISTANT ADMINISTRATOR

Mary Ellen Kicza, an award-winning aerospace engineer and federal satellite program manager, this week became the new deputy assistant administrator of NOAA’s Satellite and Information Service, the agency announced. Kicza will help manage a wide range of operations, including oversight of NOAA’s current satellites, climate, oceanographic and geophysical data gathering, and planning for future NOAA satellite systems.

Kicza comes to NOAA from NASA, where she most recently served as the associate deputy administrator for systems integration. As a senior NASA official, Kicza was responsible for ensuring critical support elements were in place to execute NASA’s missions. Her senior-level accomplishments earned her two Meritorious Service Awards, NASA’s Distinguished Service and Scientific Achievement Medals.

Kicza began her career as an engineer at McClellan Air Force Base in California, developing and testing software for the U.S. Air Force satellite communications systems. In 1982, she joined NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, where she was a lead engineer for the Atlas Centaur and Shuttle Centaur launch vehicles. While at NASA, she also served as deputy director for the Solar System Exploration Division, assistant associate administrator for Space Science, associate center director for the Goddard Space Flight Center and associate administrator for Biological and Physical Research.

“I am pleased to be a part of this terrific NOAA team and look forward to supporting the NOAA mission,” Kicza said. She received her bachelor’s degree in electrical and electronics engineering from California State University, and a master’s in business administration from the Florida Institute of Technology.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program provides financial and technical assistance to encourage coastal and marine habitat restoration. Partnerships are created between government, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, recreational and commercial fishing organizations, students and educational institutions, businesses, youth conservation corps and private landowners. To date, the program has funded more than 1000 community-based habitat restoration projects in 27 states, Canada, and the Caribbean.

NOAA’s Community-Based Restoration Program Requests Public Input on Guidelines

NOAA’s Community-based Restoration Program provides financial and technical assistance to encourage coastal and marine habitat restoration. Partnerships are created between government, not-for-profit organizations, community groups, recreational and commercial fishing organizations, students and educational institutions, businesses, youth conservation corps and private landowners. To date, the program has funded more than 1000 community-based habitat restoration projects in 27 states, Canada, and the Caribbean.

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, successfully put into operations this week the newest generation of weather and climate supercomputers. Now, for the first time, NOAA’s National Weather Service has three systems working together for the protection of life, property and the national economy in the United States and its territories. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The three systems consist of a primary system (Blue), a research and development system (Red), and backup system (White). The primary and backup operating systems ensure a reliable delivery of operational weather and climate forecasts with no interruption in services. The research and development system accelerates the transition of new research results into the operational models and provides for a more rapid improvement of all forecast products delivered to the public and private sectors.

The increase in computing power gives NOAA the ability to run higher resolution models with more sophisticated applied physics and use these models in the prediction of potential severe and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and winter storms. “The advanced computers are critical to advancing NOAA’s ability to make ever-increasingly accurate weather forecasts and climate outlooks,” said Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction.

The new supercomputers were delivered as part of the $180 million, nine-year contract with IBM. Red and Blue are housed at the IBM facility located in Gaithersburg, Md.; White is housed at a NASA facility located in Fairmont, W.Va.

The NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NOAA National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources.

NOAA’S NEWEST GENERATION OF WEATHER AND CLIMATE SUPERCOMPUTERS DEBUTS

NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, successfully put into operations this week the newest generation of weather and climate supercomputers. Now, for the first time, NOAA’s National Weather Service has three systems working together for the protection of life, property and the national economy in the United States and its territories. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

The three systems consist of a primary system (Blue), a research and development system (Red), and backup system (White). The primary and backup operating systems ensure a reliable delivery of operational weather and climate forecasts with no interruption in services. The research and development system accelerates the transition of new research results into the operational models and provides for a more rapid improvement of all forecast products delivered to the public and private sectors.

The increase in computing power gives NOAA the ability to run higher resolution models with more sophisticated applied physics and use these models in the prediction of potential severe and extreme weather events such as hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and winter storms. “The advanced computers are critical to advancing NOAA’s ability to make ever-increasingly accurate weather forecasts and climate outlooks,” said Dr. Louis W. Uccellini, director, NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Prediction.

The new supercomputers were delivered as part of the $180 million, nine-year contract with IBM. Red and Blue are housed at the IBM facility located in Gaithersburg, Md.; White is housed at a NASA facility located in Fairmont, W.Va.

The NOAA National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The NOAA National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of the nation’s coastal and marine resources.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working with the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System to establish a new communication link with NOAA’s National Weather Service to increase public safety through improved dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This developing relationship features a two-way link between NLETS – an interstate law enforcement network – and the NOAA Weather Wire Service – a satellite collection and dissemination system that provides timely delivery of NWS weather information products. Arizona, Iowa, Maryland and Oklahoma are participating in the initial evaluation with national implementation slated for mid 2005.

NLETS consists of more than 400,000 workstations across the United States that will allow users to receive weather information from the NWS and enable them to relay real-time weather information directly to NWS meteorologists. For example, a state trooper could report roads flooded by a rain-swollen river directly to a NWS meteorologist who would then issue flood alerts based on that information in conjunction with radar data and other observing tools.

“While there is already an exchange of data between NWS and law enforcement agencies, this exchange varies widely by location at the moment, and generally takes too long,” said Marty Baron, program leader of NOAA’s Weather Wire Service. “This dedicated circuit between the NLETS organization and the NWS, via the weather wire, will allow for a much easier exchange of information.”

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

NOAA’S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE CONNECTS WITH COMMUNICATION NETWORK TO ENHANCE PUBLIC SAFETY

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is working with the National Law Enforcement Telecommunications System to establish a new communication link with NOAA’s National Weather Service to increase public safety through improved dissemination of weather forecasts and warnings. NOAA is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

This developing relationship features a two-way link between NLETS – an interstate law enforcement network – and the NOAA Weather Wire Service – a satellite collection and dissemination system that provides timely delivery of NWS weather information products. Arizona, Iowa, Maryland and Oklahoma are participating in the initial evaluation with national implementation slated for mid 2005.

NLETS consists of more than 400,000 workstations across the United States that will allow users to receive weather information from the NWS and enable them to relay real-time weather information directly to NWS meteorologists. For example, a state trooper could report roads flooded by a rain-swollen river directly to a NWS meteorologist who would then issue flood alerts based on that information in conjunction with radar data and other observing tools.

“While there is already an exchange of data between NWS and law enforcement agencies, this exchange varies widely by location at the moment, and generally takes too long,” said Marty Baron, program leader of NOAA’s Weather Wire Service. “This dedicated circuit between the NLETS organization and the NWS, via the weather wire, will allow for a much easier exchange of information.”

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. The National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

This Strategic Plan establishes the goals for NOAA and the approaches we take to ensure accountability for results. The Plan guides our management decisions and provides a consistent framework for Line Office and cross-organizational plans, initiatives, and performance measures. As a Federal government agency within the US Department of Commerce (DOC), we are strengthening management by carrying out the President’s Management Agenda to manage human capital strategically, integrate budget and performance management, improve financial performance, expand electronic Government, and seek competitive sourcing where possible. We aim to create more efficient program operations so that we can continue to improve customer service and use taxpayer funds more effectively.

Download YOUR copy HERE

This Strategic Plan establishes the goals for NOAA and the approaches we take to ensure accountability for results. The Plan guides our management decisions and provides a consistent framework for Line Office and cross-organizational plans, initiatives, and performance measures. As a Federal government agency within the US Department of Commerce (DOC), we are strengthening management by carrying out the President’s Management Agenda to manage human capital strategically, integrate budget and performance management, improve financial performance, expand electronic Government, and seek competitive sourcing where possible. We aim to create more efficient program operations so that we can continue to improve customer service and use taxpayer funds more effectively.

Download YOUR copy HERE

Under development for a year by a team of NOAA scientists, the Climate Forecast System is a coupled model approach, representing the interaction between the Earth’s oceans and the atmosphere. These interactions are critical for determining climate on seasonal time scales.

These outlooks provide guidance to customers in various economic sectors, including agriculture, energy, water resources, transportation and the financial markets, on national weather well in advance of a particular season.

“The Climate Forecast System is the first fully global coupled prediction system developed at NOAA that produces a set of operational seasonal forecasts using an interactive ocean-land-atmosphere system,” said Hua-Lu Pan, EMC’s climate modeling team leader. “This system attempts to more accurately depict the actual physical processes that occur in nature.”

Historically, operational climate forecasts have relied mostly on the knowledge of present and past conditions to make projections about future events. Current methods are based largely on statistical relationships and the physical laws that govern climate. Now, armed with the Climate Forecast System, NOAA scientists are using improved dynamic methods to predict the future behavior of the climate, which entails solving extremely complex mathematical equations on the NOAA weather and climate supercomputer.

NOAA’s NEW GLOBAL CLIMATE FORECAST SYSTEM INCREASES CONFIDENCE THAT WEAK EL NIÑO CONDITIONS ARE DEVELOPING

Under development for a year by a team of NOAA scientists, the Climate Forecast System is a coupled model approach, representing the interaction between the Earth’s oceans and the atmosphere. These interactions are critical for determining climate on seasonal time scales.

These outlooks provide guidance to customers in various economic sectors, including agriculture, energy, water resources, transportation and the financial markets, on national weather well in advance of a particular season.

“The Climate Forecast System is the first fully global coupled prediction system developed at NOAA that produces a set of operational seasonal forecasts using an interactive ocean-land-atmosphere system,” said Hua-Lu Pan, EMC’s climate modeling team leader. “This system attempts to more accurately depict the actual physical processes that occur in nature.”

Historically, operational climate forecasts have relied mostly on the knowledge of present and past conditions to make projections about future events. Current methods are based largely on statistical relationships and the physical laws that govern climate. Now, armed with the Climate Forecast System, NOAA scientists are using improved dynamic methods to predict the future behavior of the climate, which entails solving extremely complex mathematical equations on the NOAA weather and climate supercomputer.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Geodetic Survey (NGS) helped launched the new “Westward Journey Nickel Seriesâ„¢” Jefferson nickel that marks the bicentennials of the Louisiana Purchase and the Lewis and Clark expedition with the placement of a commemorative geodetic marker at the United States Mint at Philadelphia today. The marker honors the mint for its production of the nation’s first new nickel in 66 years, and is part of a series of brass geodetic markers being placed by NOAA at sites nationwide that are important to the Lewis and Clark commemoration.

“NOAA takes great pride in its historical roots that date to the time of Lewis and Clark. The placement of this marker salutes their work in the early mapping and charting of the United States,” said Lautenbacher. “Today NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey continues to serve the nation by maintaining the National Spatial Reference System that provides the foundation for much of our economic infrastructure. Through a system of geodetic markers we provide a national coordinate system for transportation, communication and defense systems, boundary and property surveys, mapping and chartings, and a multitude of scientific engineering applications thereby continuing to fulfill the mission Thomas Jefferson directed to our predecessor agency, the Survey of the Coast office.”

The National Geodetic Survey has chosen to commemorate the historic partnership between the United States Mint and Lewis and Clark’s journey with these markers. A second marker will be placed at the United States Mint at Denver on Monday. The Geodetic Survey is honoring the United States Mint for its ongoing role in commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition—from the Jefferson Peace Medals that the Mint produced in 1803 for the expedition; to the Sacagawea Golden Dollar, introduced in 2000; to the Lewis and Clark Expedition Commemorative Dollar Coin of 2004; and to the new Westward Journey Nickel Series.

The Federal Reserve Banks began shipping new nickels featuring the Peace Medal reverse (tails) design to the nation’s financial institutions on March 1. The new nickels should begin appearing in circulation during the next several weeks. The United States Mint at Philadelphia is producing about half of the nation’s circulating Westward Journey Nickel Series™ coins.

The second coin of the Westward Journey Nickel Series, bearing a Lewis and Clark keelboat design on the reverse will be released into circulation in August.

Following the ceremony, director Fore, undersecretary Lautenbacher and director Challstrom joined area officials and Mint personnel for a brief tour of the United States Mint at Philadelphia to see the new nickels being produced.

Created by Congress in 1792, the United States Mint is the manufacturer of legal tender coinage for the United States. In FY 2003, the United States Mint manufactured approximately 11.4 billion coins and generated revenue of $1.4 billion.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources