Joining NOAA Fisheries Deputy Administrator John Oliver (far left) and NOAA Administrator VADM Conrad Lautenbacher (far right) are LTJG Jonathan Taylor, Brian Lance, Erika Ammann, John Olson, who shared an award with Matthew Eagleton (not pictured) for conceiving, planning, and installing the first modular artificial reef in the sub-Arctic waters off of Alaska to mitigate losses of marine habitat.

Joined by National Ocean Service Administrator John Dunnigan (far left), NOAA Fisheries Deputy Administrator John Oliver (fourth from left) and VADM Lautenbacher (far right) were Holly Bamford, Nir Barnea, Sarah Morison, Donna Lawson, David Landsman, who were honored for successfully implementing an effective and nationally recognized program that supports NOAA’s mission to keep the oceans free of marine debris.

Shannon G. Dionne, also accepting for her colleagues Thomas L. Laughlin and Elizabeth McLanahan, won an award for research and consensus building in changing the United States position on destructive fishing practices in vulnerable marine ecosystems in the high seas. She was joined by NOAA Deputy Assistant Secretary William Brennan (left) and VADM Lautenbacher (right).

The artist Wyland (left) and VADM Lautenbacher at the unveiling of Water Planet, a painting commemorating NOAA’s 200th celebration of science, service and stewardship to the nation.

Team Member of the Month


John Bollinger,
NOAA’s National Weather Service

NOAA’s Employee and Team Member of the Month for October are Chris Sabine, NOAA Research, and John Bollinger, NOAA’s National Weather Service.

Chris Sabine is an oceanographer at PMEL who interprets inorganic carbon measurements in the oceans.  He has the primary responsibility for PMEL's efforts to measure the partial pressure of CO2 from moorings. Dr. Sabine has been a key participant in NOAA's initial efforts to understand the importance of CO2 in the oceans and the atmosphere. January 2007, was a typical month for Dr. Sabine. He made two trips, one to Japan and the other to Colorado, to attend a total of five different meetings related to the various programs he works on. He is the chairman of the UNESCO sponsored International Ocean Carbon Coordination Project (IOCCP), where he was asked by the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) to participate in a review of their biogeochemical mooring program.

John Bollinger is the cornerstone of the current, standardized NWS hydrologic and climate services Web presence. He has worked with the NWS Climate Program and the NOAA Regional Climate Centers to create easy access to NOAA climate data and forecasts via the Internet. He has an understanding of NWS systems and people that enables him to provide effective support. John developed and implemented a flood inundation mapping design that will be used to prepare and plan more effectively for river flooding. He has as a long track record of “going the extra mile” in helping the NWS meet its mission, and has a remarkable history of delivering what he promises on time and at the cost specified. He does this in spite of providing support to operations, and, he typically accommodates unexpected changes to requirements with little or no modification in charges or delivery dates.

Team Member of the Month


LCDR Les Cruise,
NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations

NOAA’s Employee and Team Member of the Month for September are Peggy Willis, NOAA Fisheries Service, and LCDR Les Cruise, NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations.

Since 1985, Peggy Willis has assisted Beaufort Laboratory scientists in conducting the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Southeast Headboat Survey of recreational for-hire vessels. Forming one of the longest available time series of U.S. recreational fishing data, these landing data are collected along the coast from North Carolina through Texas. In 1997, Peggy became the primary contact between survey scientists, data managers, and a network of port samplers. She coordinates logistical aspects, ensuring that those actually collecting recreational landing data have the necessary equipment and supplies. This involves resolving sampling problems, addressing field emergencies, and following up after severe weather events, such as hurricanes, to assure the samplers' safety. Peggy’s professionalism enhances the esprit de corps throughout the NOAA Beaufort laboratory, a partnership between the NOAA National Ocean Service and the NOAA Fisheries Service.

As the Wellness Coordinator for the NOAA fleet, LCDR Les Cruise, a United States Public Health Service officer, ensures that NOAA's seagoing employees are healthy and ready to perform their duties. Among his duties are providing CPR classes to 30 NOAA employees, and making sure that the first aid kits used by these workers were appropriately supplied and up to date. As an additional duty, his position also requires him to sail on NOAA ships as a temporary duty medical officer as needed.  Les provides an added asset to these ships as he attended NOAA's Basic Officer Training Class and is qualified to stand officer of the deck watches underway.  He continues to earn the respect of the wage mariners, NOAA Corp officers and the health care professionals he works with. Les always maintains a professional attitude and is a valued member of the health care team at NOAA.

Phil Levin gives the victory signal as the entire Fish 4 a Cure team rides toward the finish line. The team raised $30,000 last month for multiple sclerosis research. The rider at the right especially got into the spirit.