Lilia Ramirez, Director for International Programs, Science and Technology Directorate, US Department of Homeland Security; Dr Sandy MacDonald NOAA Research Deputy Director; and DHS Under Secretary Admiral Jay Cohen in Cartagena, Colombia, at the Ocean Security Initiative Conference. The Ocean Security Initiative is a nonprofit organization whose aim is to further develop and promote the global concept of ocean security through a series of regional conferences, and the programs which they create, in various regions around the world. The conference was the first part of February held in a 500-year old fort that was featured in the 1984 movie "Romancing the Stone."

Three members of the US Coast Guard Pacific Strike Team join NOS's Ed Levine at a rocky South Korean shoreline for an inspection tour.

NOAA’s Employee and Team Member of the Month for March are Allison Allen, NOAA's Ocean Service, and Arpan Patel, NOAA Management and Administration.

Allison Allen, an oceanographer, manages the CO-OPS Coastal (Coastal Oceanographic Applications and Services of Tides And Lakes) program. The Coastal program leverages the capabilities of CO-OPS observing systems to better assist coastal zone managers, emergency managers, and decision makers in effective planning for storm-surge events, habitat restoration projects, sea-level assessments, emergency preparedness, and HAZMAT response. Over the past few years, Allison has worked closely with the National Geodetic Survey to help it establish its own Coastal program to address the positioning needs of the same user communities. Due to her efforts, an integrated Coastal team was established, an outreach plan was developed, and a Web site is being designed. Together, CO-OPS and NGS provide tidal and land-based heights necessary for coastal zone managers and scientists to make informed decisions for restoration projects.

Arpan Patel is the “go to guy” for day to day routine IT customer support within NOAA headquarters. He provides technical support and supports software installations for all NOAA HQ. Using outstanding technical skills, Arpan ensures optimal computer/network performance and, importantly, a minimization of downtime. The phrase “Call Arpan” has become commonplace among HQ staff simply because he always quickly resolves IT problems. Arpan keeps all machines, systems, networks, and PDAs running with minimal interruption. On occasion, he will even have the problem solved before the customer actually finishes explaining what the problem actually is. Given his enormous daily workload, NOAA HQ staff continually pull Arpan in all directions for every imaginable IT-related need, yet he remains is incredibly friendly and helpful.

NOAA’s Employee and Team Member of the Month for February are Michael Tanner, NOAA Satellite & Information Service, and Robert Staples, NOAA Research.

Michael Tanner, acting director of the NOAA Satellite & Information Service Office of Systems Development's Technology, Planning and Integration Program, exhibits the attributes of commitment, leadership and professionalism in making immediate impacts at the national and international levels. His exemplary leadership and commitment ensured the completion of the National Research Council's Earth Science and Applications from Space: National Imperatives for the Next Decade and Beyond, better known as the Decadal Survey, outlining the scientific priorities for the Nation's environmental satellites. He formalized NOAA's annual process for the standardized collection, prioritization and documentation of observation requirements across NOAA Programs and in support of the PPBES cycle. Michael serves as the first lead on the Modeling Observation Infrastructure Sub-Goal, and leads NOAA's Technology, Planning and Integration Program.

Bob Staples has been an outstanding team member since being hired by the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Services in April 2001. His first project was to oversee the construction of the National Weather Radar Testbed, a facility to house the phased array radar system. His attention to detail and ability to identify issues and solve them were unsurpassed. Hired by CIMMS as a part-time employee, he always went the "extra mile" to ensure that tasks were completed. Bob anticipates problems and works quickly to resolve those problems. He works well with the user and the contractor and his expertise in project management has been invaluable. This key asset to NOAA has been operational since 2003 and he continues to support various improvements and research requirements, working with the contractor to solve problems and obtain vital information.