NOAA’S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TRAINING CENTER WELCOMES NEW DIRECTOR

Donna G. Layton is about to begin a new career chapter as director of NOAA’s National Weather Service Training Center in Kansas City, Mo. The 25-year government employee who has been the center’s acting director for the past two years, will officially become director on Sept. 5. The National Weather Service is an agency of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

The National Weather Service Training Center offers a broad spectrum of mission critical training within the agency and provides leadership development opportunities for all NOAA line offices. Resident and distance learning courses are offered in engineering and electronics, including equipment maintenance and systems support, meteorology, hydrology and management and leadership.

“The National Weather Service’s ability to protect lives and property relies upon the best and brightest employees. Donna’s leadership will undoubtedly ensure that high standard is maintained,” said Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, U.S. Air Force (Ret.), director of the National Weather Service. “Donna has performed superbly as the acting director during some challenging times. We have every confidence in her leadership abilities.”

Layton joined the National Weather Service Training Center in 2001 and started NOAA’s National Weather Service Leadership Academy, within which she created the Executive Leadership Seminar (ELS). Her work on the Leadership Academy earned her the NOAA Administrator’s Award in 2004. She has served as acting director of the training center since June 2003.

“I consider selection to this position a dual privilege,” Layton said, “because training is a crucial cornerstone to operational readiness, and the Training Center staff is made up of experienced, dedicated professionals. I look forward to working with them and our customers to reach new heights of service and excellence.”

Layton earned a bachelor’s degree in social science and psychology from Colorado State University and a master’s degree in management from Webster University. She served for 22 years as a civilian with the Department of the Army. Her duties included directing the Personnel Management for Executives Program, the Army’s most senior continuously run leadership and management program for federal civilian and military executives. She worked in the Office of Professional Development at the Fort Leavenworth Command and General Staff College and in human resources at Fort Leavenworth, Fort Riley and Fort Benning. Layton served as a member of the Fort Riley Mobilization Cell during the 1st Infantry Division’s deployment to Desert Storm and served as executive assistant to the assistant division commander (Maneuver), 3rd Armored Division, V Corps, U.S. Army Europe.

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s 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.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 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. Through the emerging Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS), NOAA is working with our federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global Earth observation network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

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NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov