Wayne mackenzie Division Chief – Observations and Research Support ogram Office (WPO), spent his career in both the private and public sector where he focused on transitioning research and development activities to application. He comes to WPO from the NOAA Technology Partnerships Office where he served as the Technology Transfer Program Manager. In that role,…
Claudia Rojo Budget Analyst Claudia brings 13 years of extensive experience as a Budget Analyst to WPO, a journey which began within NOAA. In her previous role, she excelled in financial management, strategic planning, and processing grants and contracts. Claudia is originally from Guatemala and she is a devoted mother of two young adults and…
ISHA RENTA, PHD Research Transitions & Evaluations Lead Dr. Isha Renta is WPO’s Research Transition and Evaluations Lead. Prior to joining WPO, Isha was a Management and Program Analyst at the OAR Office of Science Support. While there, she served as the advisor to the NOAA Chief Scientist during a temporary assignment. Prior to this Isha was a Meteorologist for the National Weather Service Baltimore/Washington Office and a Research Meteorologist…
Melissa Mokry, phd Severe Weather Social Scientist Dr. Melissa Mokry is a contractor supporting the WPO Social Science and the VORTEX-USA Programs. Melissa brings an interdisciplinary perspective to severe and hazardous weather. She has experience related to wildfire incidents as Public Information Officer (PIO), emergency preparedness and environmental compliance related to the drinking water industry, editorial experience within water…
Kathryn Mozer Acting Deputy Director, Weather Program Office Kathryn Mozer is currently serving as the Acting Deputy Director of the NOAA Weather Program Office (WPO). Her permanent position, as of June 2024, is serving as the Executive Officer for the NESDIS Office of Common Services, focusing on policy, budget strategy, and external engagements. She previously…
Ben Woods provides 360-degree leadership for the Supplemental Program that leads to the improvements in hurricane intensity and track forecasts, storm surge and flooding potentials, wildfire forecast products, and other weather forecasting and data assimilation research projects.
Spencer Nixon Spencer Nixon Program Support and Coordinator Spencer Nixon is the Program Support and Coordinator for the Management and Administration Division at the Weather Program Office (WPO). She graduated from Cornell University in 2015 with a Bachelor’s degree in Hospitality and Hotel management. Spencer is a Principal Management Consultant at M2, providing portfolio management,…
Kyle Metta Kyle metta, PHD SBES Data Policy and Partnership Analyst Kyle Metta is a social scientist serving as the SBES Data Policy and Partnership Analyst in the Societal Data Insights Initiative (SDII) at the NOAA Weather Program Office. In this capacity, he focuses on the management of SBES data, fostering partnerships, and developing open…
Katrina Utz Katrina utz Special Assistant to Director and Deputy Director Katrina Utz is the Special Assistant to the Director and Deputy Dirctor to provide support on projects and to the Management and Administration Division in the Weather Program Office (WPO). Prior to joining WPO, Katrina worked in county government as the Executive Assistant to…
Jordan Dale JOrdan dale Testbeds Program Manager Jordan is the Testbeds Program Manager for the Weather Program Office (WPO). Previously, Jordan was a contractor supporting WPO’s Observations and JTTI Programs. Prior to joining WPO, Jordan worked as a meteorologist at the National Weather Service (NWS) Forecast Office just outside of Detroit, MI for two years…