On September 14, 2010, NOAA announced the selection of six new NOAA regional climate services directors:

• Ellen Mecray, Eastern Region, Bohemia, New York
• Doug Kluck, Central Region, Kansas City, Kansas
• David Brown, Southern Region, Fort Worth, Texas
• DeWayne Cecil, Western Region, Salt Lake City, Utah
• John Marra, Pacific Region, Honolulu, Hawaii
• James Partain, Alaska Region, Anchorage, Alaska

According to NOAA’s press release: “NOAA’s new regional directors are liaisons to state and regional users and providers of climate science and information; they will also bring information from the regions back into NOAA,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “They will work with our many partners to identify new and emerging regional climate issues and help NOAA develop products or services to address issues like local climate forecasts, drought plans or flood risk mapping.”

Additional, related information and background can be accessed through NOAA’s new Climate Services website at http://www.climate.gov/#climateWatch.