CDR Philip M. Kenul has been named NOAA’s Director of Homeland Security Program Activities. “I am delighted that he is now on board,” said NOAA Administrator Lautenbacher. “Phil has a tremendous amount of work to do, and I know that you will step up to the plate to help him in every way possible.” CDR Kenul was previously with NOAA Corps in Tampa, Fla.

VADM Lautenbacher also sent a NOAA-wide e-mail this week focusing on employee security and potential emergencies.

In a historic step toward better preserving and managing our nation’s maritime heritage, NOAA broke ground today at its new Maritime Archaeology Center at The Mariners’ Museum in Newport News, Va. The groundbreaking was attended by NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary Scott B. Gudes, Rep. Jo Ann Davis (R-Va.), Rep. Bobby Scott, (D-Va.), and The Mariners’ Museum President and CEO John Hightower.

“NOAA’s Maritime Archaeology Center will serve as the coordination point for the protection of cultural resources within our National Marine Sanctuaries,” said Gudes. “Since the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary was designated the first National Marine Sanctuary in 1975, NOAA has been charged with the protection of historic shipwrecks and other submerged archaeological sites. By breaking ground today, we are taking a vital step toward strengthening NOAA’s commitment to protecting these unique and irreplaceable underwater resources.”

The event was one of Gudes’ last official acts with NOAA. He left office this week after five years, including nearly a year as acting Administrator. The formerly hirsute Gudes was, among other things, the driving force behind the creation of accessNOAA and the Employee and Team Member of the Month awards, and has been a good friend to and advocate for NOAA staff in Washington and around the country. He will be missed.

Breaking ground for the new Center are (left to right) John Hightower, President of the Mariners' Museum; Rep. Bobby Scott; Dan Basta, Director, NOAA's National Marine Sanctuary Program; Scott Gudes, Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce; Rep. Jo Ann Davis; Joe Frank, Mayor, Newport News, Va.

Two offices on either side of the country have been chosen as co-winners of the 2002 NOAA "Best of the Best" Award for Excellence in Environmental Compliance, Health, and Safety.

The NWS Los Angeles Weather Forecast Office, Oxnard, Calif., and the NMAO Atlantic Marine Operation Center, Norfolk, Va., were recognized for environmental, health, and safety excellence at the highest level.

"Many dedicated NOAA employees help to ensure that NOAA's operations are compliant with environmental, health and safety regulations. Those selected to receive this award have gone beyond compliance and have instituted "Best management Practices" into their day to day operations,” said Bernie Denno, chief of the NOAA Environmental Compliance and Safety Office.

At the award ceremony were (left to right) Bernie Denno, chief of NOAA’s Environmental Compliance and Safety Office; Robert Lundy, facility manager at Atlantic Marine Operations Center; RADM Evelyn Fields, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations director; and William Cunningham, Marine and Aviation Operations Environmental Compliance and Safety program.

After two years of testing, NOAA will begin issuing five-day hurricane forecasts this year — extending the three-day forecasts issued since 1964.

“This five-day forecast provides a valuable planning and preparedness tool and is a tangible step forward in our efforts to protect lives and property, and enhance the U.S. economy,” said Dr. James R. Mahoney, NOAA deputy administrator, at a news conference at the National Hurricane Center in Miami. “The new forecast is particularly useful for those who need more than 72 hours advance notice to move resources out of harms way, such as U.S. Navy ships. As people and infrastructure crowd coastal areas, earlier awareness to a potential problem is needed to increase public safety.”

Deputy Administrator Dr. James Mahoney at a news conference at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

NOAA Administrator VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr. and NWS director Jack Kelly were the featured speakers during the third annual National Severe Weather Workshop held in Norman, Okla. Last month. The workshop, Building Local and National Partnerships to Save Lives, brought together severe weather forecasters and researchers, emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, businesses, storm spotters and other weather enthusiasts to discuss the latest techniques for severe weather preparedness and response.

“This is a unique national event where emergency managers, broadcast meteorologists, researchers and forecasters from around the country get together to discuss how they can better protect the lives of American citizens,” said Joseph Schaefer, director of NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center.

NOAA’s Storm Prediction Center director Joseph Schaefer and VADM Lautenbacher at the Severe Weather Workshop in Norman, Okla.

A new NOAA Weather Radio transmitter, located in Gloucester, Mass., is providing a live 24-hour broadcast of marine forecasts and warnings directly from the NOAA Weather Service Boston forecast office in Taunton. The new transmitter went online earlier this month.

“Whether you’re a commercial or recreational fisherman, or just enjoy being out on the water, with information from NOAA Weather Radio, you can now make safer choices,” said Timothy Keeney, deputy assistant secretary for oceans and atmosphere, at a press conference.

Keeney was joined by Gloucester Mayor John Bell; U.S. Coast Guard Rear Admiral Vivien Crea; Meaghan Hohl, from Sen. John Kerry’s office; John Jones Jr., NWS deputy director; Vito Calomo, executive director of the Massachusetts Fisheries Recovery Commission, and Dean Gulezian, director of the NOAA National Weather Service Eastern Region.

Symbolically cutting the ribbon on the new tower were Glen Field, Warning Coordination Meteorologist, Taunton, Mass.; Robert Thompson, Meteorologist-in-charge, Taunton; John Bell, Mayor, Gloucester, Mass.; Tim Keeney, NOAA Deputy Assistant Secretary; and John Jones, Deputy Director, NOAA National Weather Service.

NOAA employees once again demonstrated their care and concern for the causes supported by the Combined Federal Campaign by contributing, nationwide, more than $1.8 million. NOAA staffers in the DC metro area contributed 120 percent of their goal and were led by three offices which received the CFC President’s Award: Office of the Chief Information Officer, Office of the Federal Coordinator for Meteorology, and Office of Sustainable Development and Intergovernmental Affairs.

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Date Last Updated: March 20, 2003 3:10 PM