Kevin C. Cooley Named Director of NOAA's National Weather Service National Centers for Environmental Prediction Central Operations

NOAA 2002-029B
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Carmeyia Gillis
3/21/02 NOAA News Releases 2002
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KEVIN C. COOLEY NAMED DIRECTOR OF NOAA'S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE NATIONAL CENTERS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PREDICTION CENTRAL OPERATIONS

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced this week that Kevin C. Cooley will become director of Central Operations for the (NOAA) National Weather Service's National Centers for Environmental Prediction (NCEP). Cooley brings more than 15 years of computing and managerial experience to his new position.

NCEP Central Operations manages the (NOAA) National Weather Service super-computer, and is a large part of the foundation and infrastructure where billions of ocean, atmospheric and satellite observations are ingested and used in environmental numerical modeling and forecasts.

"Kevin has a track record filled with results," said Louis Uccellini, NCEP director. "He is an energetic leader who understands computing and telecommunication infrastructures required to develop and deliver reliable, timely products and services."

In his new position, Cooley's top priority is the reliable provision of the computational services needed to support the climate and weather prediction objectives of the National Weather Service.

Cooley has served as a director at Meta Group Consulting, was a former senior manager with IBM, and a former systems engineering manager with Electronic Data Systems Corporation, Systems Engineering Development Program. The Arnold, Md. native is a 1990 bachelor's of arts summa cum laude graduate of The Citadel in Charleston, S. C. He holds other advanced credentials in project management and systems engineering and is certified by the Project Management Institute as Project Management Professional. He was also a member of the United States Marine Corps.

Central Operations is one of nine organizations under the (NOAA) National Weather Service's National Centers for Environmental Prediction. The NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS) is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NWS 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. To learn more about NWS, please visit http://www.nws.noaa.gov.