GREGORY L. NOONAN RECEIVES HIGHEST NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE HONOR

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NOAA Weather Service) conferred its highest honor, the Isaac M. Cline Award, to Gregory L. Noonan, product delivery and dissemination meteorologist at the weather service’s Central Region Headquarters in Kansas City, Mo. NOAA is part of the Department of Commerce.

Each year the NOAA Weather Service recognizes employees for operational excellence in the delivery of products and services in support of the weather service mission. Noonan received the Cline Award as part of a four-person team in the program management and administration category for pioneering efforts in establishing an effective and efficient teleconferencing system used by weather service offices throughout the continental United States. The weather service saves $113,000 a year using the new system.

“Greg Noonan’s efforts to improve our services for the American people is a testament to his selfless dedication,” said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. Jack Kelly, director of the NOAA National Weather Service.

The NOAA Weather Service and the Department of Commerce will benefit from the cost savings generated by the team’s work, Kelly noted.

The Isaac M. Cline Award is named for the man whose courage and dedication is credited with savings thousands of lives during the Galveston, Texas, hurricane of September 8, 1900. Cline was in charge of the Weather Bureau Office in Galveston when the bustling seaport city was struck by the deadliest natural disaster in U.S. history. The death toll exceeded 8,000, but could have been much higher if not for Cline’s understanding of the weather and his initiative in warning the public.

Eight of the prestigious awards are presented each year in the following categories: meteorology; hydrometeorology; hydrology; support services; upper air observation; leadership; engineering, electronics, or facilities; and, program management and administration.

A Topeka, Kan., native, Noonan earned a bachelor of science degree in atmospheric science from the University of Kansas and joined the weather service as an intern at the Wichita office in June 1991. He became a journeyman forecaster at the Wakefield, Va., office in 1994 and returned to Wichita as a lead forecaster in January 1996. At Wichita, he served as focal point for several programs including the WSR-88D radar and the NOAA Weather Radio Console Replacement System.

Noonan joined Central Region Headquarters in October 2001, assuming far-reaching responsibilities focused on regional and national dissemination programs such as the WSR-88D, NOAA Weather Radio, the Emergency Managers Weather Information Network (EMWIN) and the Internet. He was a 2001 recipient of the Regional Excellence Award for outstanding contribution in the implementation of the Watch, Warning, Advisory program.

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA 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 Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (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: , please visit http://www.noaa.gov

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