NOAA’s National Weather Service Names Paul Chan CIO

Retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, NWS director, announced today that Dr. Paul Chan has been selected chief information officer for NOAA's National Weather Service. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

"It is my sincere pleasure to welcome Dr. Chan to the National Weather Service team," Johnson said. "He is innovative and dynamic, with extensive experience managing IT organizations. He is customer-focused, with excellent management, communication and leadership skills."

Chan previously served as the chief information officer for the Economic Research Service of the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He also has extensive private industry experience that includes serving as vice president, business development, for Science Systems and Applications, Inc, and director of the Goddard Distributed Active Archive Center, a NASA science data center.

"My first love is meteorology, so this was an opportunity I couldn't pass up," said Chan. "I view IT as an important means to support operations as well as research and development. I believe my background in meteorology will help ensure the National Weather Service more effectively meets the data needs of its constituents in a money-tight environment."

Chan holds a master of business administration degree from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, and a masters in computer science from John Hopkins University. In addition, Chan holds a Ph.D. in atmospheric acience from the University of Missouri, and an MA in geophysical fluid dynamics from Princeton University. He currently serves as an adjunct associate professor of the MBA Program at the University of Maryland, University College.

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.

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.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov