NWS HUNTSVILLE STAFF MEMBERS TO RECEIVE REGIONAL ISAAC CLINE AWARDS

Two staff members from the NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in Huntsville, Ala. have been selected as recipients of the NWS Southern Region Isaac M. Cline Awards. The awards were presented by Southern Region Director Bill Proenza in a special ceremony today at the Huntsville office. Journeyman Forecaster Brian Carcione is being honored in the Leadership category, while Information Technology Officer Jason Burks is being recognized in the Program Management & Administration category. NOAA, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

Each year local, regional and national Cline Award recipients are chosen in eight categories including meteorology; hydrometeorology; engineering, electronics or facilities; hydrology; support services; program management and administration; upper air observation; and, leadership. Presented to individuals and teams, the awards identify and recognize employees for operational excellence in the delivery of products and services in support of the National Weather Service mission.

The prestigious Isaac M. Cline Awards are named for the man whose courage and dedication is credited with saving thousands of lives during the Galveston, Texas hurricane of 1900. Cline was in charge of the NWS office in Galveston when the popular coastal city was struck with the deadliest natural disaster in the nation’s history. The death toll exceeded 8,000, but could have been much higher if not for Cline’s acute understanding of the weather and his early hurricane warnings in an era when meteorology was in its infancy and ship-to-shore communications were non-existent.

“The memory of Isaac Cline has exemplified the devotion of duty and courage that is so much a part of the 135 year history of the National Weather Service,” said Proenza. “It is fitting that we honor excellent employees like Carcione and Burks with awards that bear his name.”

Carcione is recognized for his exceptional leadership and vision in leading the Interactive Forecast Preparation System program at the Weather Forecast Office in Huntsville. Under his leadership, the office has seen a marked improvement in products and services provided to customers. Due to his efforts, WFO Huntsville became the first office in the Southern Region to offer customers an entire suite of graphical hazardous weather products.

Frequently referred to as the “franchise player” by his colleagues, Burks is involved in every aspect of WFO Huntsville operations. He has been particularly active in infusing many new NASA products and datasets into the NWS Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System. They include total lightning analysis information, local modeling data, polar orbiting satellite data and a locally developed diagnostic dataset. He was also instrumental in the development of “HUN-TV”, which combines satellite, radar, watch and warning map images and hourly weather graphics for use by local emergency managers and the media.

The 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.

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