Carl P. Staton, who helped bring real-time satellite data to weather forecasters more than 20 years ago and last year guided the transition of the newest high-speed supercomputer into the weather modeling process, was named the new chief information officer at NOAA's National Weather Service. As CIO, Staton will provide oversight and policy guidance for the planning and development of information technology initiatives throughout the NWS.

The decision to name Staton as CIO, "is a reflection of our confidence in his abilities to meet the significant challenges that remain [for the NWS] to keep on the cutting-edge of technology advancements so we can improve weather and climate forecasts and warnings," said retired Brig. Gen. Jack Kelly, director of the NWS.

Before assuming the CIO post, Staton was director of Central Operations at NOAA/NWS National Centers for Environmental Prediction in Camp Springs, Md. While at NCEP, Staton managed the NWS' transition from the Cray C-90 computer to the IBM System Parallel supercomputer, which now generates weather data at speeds of more than 3 trillion calculations per second. The supercomputer is now operating 40 times faster than the Cray C-90 computer NWS last used in September 1999. Staton also managed NCEP's interactive product development software and network infrastructure.

A Washington, D.C. native, Staton earned a bachelor's of science degree in computer science from North Carolina State in 1974. After he graduated, he began his computer career as a lead programmer and analyst in the private sector, handling projects that included developing simulators for nuclear power plants. In 1979, Staton arrived at NOAA's National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service and provided technical support for Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite programs.

In 1987, Staton was promoted to branch chief of the NESDIS Data Collection and Direct Broadcast Branch, and in 1991 he became the deputy division chief for the NESDIS Information Processing Division. Staton received a Department of Commerce Bronze Medal in 1990 for writing computer programs that enhanced the quality of satellite products used at NWS forecast offices around the country.

In the late 1990s, Staton was part of the government-wide Next Generation Internet Implementation Initiative, which focused on strategies to provide speedy, inter-networking technologies.

An opera fan, avid golfer, gardener and exercise enthusiast, Staton lives in Olney, Md., with his wife, Jane D'Aguanno.