Memo reveals Proenza's days were numbered

Oh the games we play at NOAA/NHC. Here we have another article on Bill Proenza the former Director of the National Hurricane Center. So NOAA can't make up its mind about whether or not Proenza was removed because of his public statements about a critical satellite or because some of the children or staff at the NHC did not like his leadership style.

Lets just say that it remains to be seen whether some of the children ..eh..staff at the NHC who have now lowered the Atlantic Hurricane threat to some13 to 16 named hurricanes can actually live up to their statements.

Seems to me that if there is any question of lowered public confidence its in predicting hurricanes by some of the same children who complained about Proenza's public statements. Wonder if any of them will get relocated if those 13 to 16 named storms don't appear? Though I am now tracking Tropical Depression Four (TD4), think if these 13-16 storms don't develop, it time for some staff changes at the NHC....

Geez we need to grow up...

OrlandoSentinel.com

Memo reveals Proenza's days were numbered

Maya Bell and Mark K. Matthews

Sentinel Staff Writers

August 7, 2007

Days before Bill Proenza's bosses dispatched a team to the National Hurricane Center to evaluate his brief but controversial tenure as director, he already was on notice he would be demoted to an obscure office of the National Weather Service, an internal memo released Monday shows.

The main reason for the transfer, the memo said, was Proenza's repeated misrepresentations to the media about the consequences of losing the aging QuikSCAT satellite.

Two congressmen, whose subcommittees obtained the memo while investigating Proenza's abrupt ouster, suggest the two-page document supports the National Weather Service veteran's contention that he was placed on paid leave July 9 in retaliation for criticizing his superiors at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, rather than for leadership flaws documented by the assessment team.

Citing the memo, U.S. Reps. Brad Miller, D-N.C., and Nick Lampson, D-Texas, wrote to NOAA Administrator Conrad Lautenbacher last week, saying Proenza was being treated unfairly. They also said that if NOAA intends to permanently remove Proenza from the hurricane center, he should be returned to his former $150,000-a-year job as the director of the 10-state southern region of the National Weather Service.

'Extremely talented'

"We don't want this extremely talented public employee consigned to NOAA's backwaters because he spoke publicly about the potential loss of a critical satellite," Lampson said in a statement.

An NOAA spokesman would not comment. Proenza's attorneys, who are considering filing a lawsuit alleging retaliation under the federal Whistleblower Protection Act, could not be reached.

The previously undisclosed memo was from Mary Glackin, acting director of the National Weather Service, and Louis Uccellini, director of the National Centers for Environmental Prediction. Though the memo is undated, it was obviously written on or before June 22, the date the memo says Proenza was being "detailed immediately out" of the director's job in the Miami center and reassigned to NOAA's Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services in Camp Springs, Md.

In the memo, Glackin and Uccellini cited complaints from hurricane-center staffers that Proenza had misrepresented them in the media, causing "disarray and distraction" since he assumed the director's job in January. But they made clear that it was Proenza's comments about QuikSCAT that doomed him. He had told members of Congress that the loss of the aging satellite, already several years past its expected lifespan, would make storm-track forecasts as much as 16 percent less accurate.

"This action results from our lack of confidence in your ability to fulfill the responsibilities of your position," the memo said. "You have repeatedly misrepresented facts to the press regarding the impact of the loss of QuikSCAT data resulting in widespread media questioning our ability to deliver effective hurricane services."

Veteran forecasters said Proenza, by exaggerating the importance of QuikSCAT, had undermined the center's credibility and the public's faith in their forecasts. They said the satellite is a useful tool but they rely far more on data collected from reconnaissance aircraft to track approaching storms.

Why Proenza was still on the job when the five-member inquiry team showed up July 2 is unclear. But three days later, half of the center's staffers issued a statement calling for his immediate ouster. On July 9, Lautenbacher put him on paid leave.

'Leadership' failure

But the NOAA director, testifying before both Miller's and Lampson's subcommittees on July 19, denied that Proenza's QuikSCAT comments were responsible for his suspension. Instead, he cited the inquiry team's recommendation that Proenza be moved "due to his failure to demonstrate leadership" and not for "his public statements about the QuikSCAT satellite or NOAA leadership."

According to the NOAA Web site, the Office of Climate, Water and Weather Services oversees hydrometeorological and climate services and the design and implementation of future products and services. Its training chief "ensures NWS staff receives the training required to attain/maintain proficiency in providing accurate and timely forecasts and warnings to the public." The prior training chief was to have retired June 30.

Maya Bell, who reported from Miami, can be reached at mbell@orlandosentinel.com or 305-810-5003. Mark K. Matthews, who reported from Washington, can be reached at mmatthews@tribune.com or 202-824-8222.

Weather Story

Tropical Depression Four (TD4)

UPDATE : 08/14/07 ..10:07 AM CST
TD4 has now become Tropical Storm Dean

RS.....

More on Proenza

Ok I said it would be my last. But I found two articles one from the AP and the other from ABC News on the NHC a day after Bill Proenza was replaced. I don't think I was far off in my Monday, July 9, 2007 The NHC Follies posting.

Most of the hubbub seems to have been Proenza being critical of his bosses at NOAA and some of the staff not taking to Proenza's management style and speed of decision. Some of these people on staff at the NHC have been there since the USG laid the cornerstone to the building and I believe they need to get a grip. If this was the corporate world the changes would not be in upper management but in the staff. If this is true and that staff revolted because of their own special interests and childish attitudes, then it was not Proenza who damaged public confidence, it was the staff itself. Which again if true, I find appalling.

I also find it interesting that Ed Rappaport the Deputy originally turned down the job of Director. Why? Well I guess that is evident. Between the suits at NOAA/Commerce doing the Beltway CYA line dance and the children on staff, the director must go home every night, take a shower, and blow dry his hair with a 12 gauge shot gun!

Yesterday the The US Senate Commerce Committee took up a hearing on QuikSCAT and other issues at the NHC. Here is the opening statement by Senator Daniel K. Inouye and the testimonies of Ms. Mary Ellen Kicza, Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Kizca Satellites Testimony . Dr. Michael Freilich, Director, Earth Science Division Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. Mr. David Powner, Director, Technology Management Issues Government Accountability Office.Dr. Greg Holland, Director, Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division Earth and Sun Systems Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research and Dr. Antonio Busalacchi, Professor and Director, Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center University of Maryland.

Ex-Hurricane Center Chiefs: Job's Tough

July 11, 2007

By Jessica Gresko, The Associated Press

MIAMI - A day after the director of the National Hurricane Center went on leave amid leadership questions, former directors said Tuesday he should have listened more carefully to his staff and made changes more slowly.

Bill Proenza went on leave after 23 employees - about half his staff - urged his immediate removal last week. Center employees said Proenza damaged public confidence in their forecasting ability and distracted the center from its work.

"I think the bottom line is that he simply did not listen to his senior staff," said Proenza's predecessor, Max Mayfield.

A chief complaint was the way Proenza called for a replacement of an aging satellite called QuikScat, used for hurricane forecasting.

"If he would have hung in there for one season and had kept his head down for one season (without making changes), he would have been much better off," said Jerry Jarrell, director of the center from 1998 to 2000, who now lives in Oregon. "He forgot that he had to be an advocate for the forecasters. He should have waited until he had some more experience, but sort of plunged in."

Still, Proenza's "heart's in the right place," he said.

A hurricane center spokesman said its interim director, Ed Rappaport, was busy preparing for the 2007 hurricane season and would not comment. A cell phone message left for Proenza was not returned.

Proenza, the center's eighth director, had been on the job since January.

Proenza may have set himself up for removal by criticizing his bosses at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on budget shortfalls and other issues, Jarrell said.

"When you criticize your boss and when you do it publicly in the media, you're sort of inviting your subordinates to do the same thing to you," Jarrell said.

Jarrell said that he had at least one situation where he felt he had to be outspoken as director, during a threat of budget cuts in the 1990s, but that he made his comments with the support of his staff and others, including Proenza, he said.

Neil Frank, the center's head in the 1970s and 80s, said he had few controversies during his 13-year tenure, the major one being which office should directly oversee the center. Now the chief meteorologist at a Houston TV station, Frank was credited with reaching out to the media. He said he was careful to work within the system.

"Talking to the media and bypassing NOAA headquarters is fraught with some danger, as you now know," said Frank, who remembered a young Proenza helping him on his doctoral dissertation.

A Commerce Department team sent to conduct a review of the center after Proenza's comments was finishing its work Tuesday. Proenza had said the inspection was unnecessary and blamed some staff animosity on the team, which has a report due to the Commerce Department on July 20. The department oversees NOAA, the hurricane center's parent agency.

The Senate Commerce Committee planned to take up the issue of QuikScat and other weather and environmental satellites in a hearing Wednesday.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

And this from ABC News;

"THE U.S. HAS NEVER BEEN MORE VULNERABLE TO HURRICANES..."

July 11, 2007 10:02 AM

Former head of the National Hurricane Center Bill Proenza has company!

Greg Holland of the National Center for Atmospheric Research will tell a senate committee Wednesday that "ACCURATE FORECASTS AND WARNINGS OF HURRICANES HAS TO BE MADE A NATIONAL PRIORITY."

He will say that "investing in improved computer models and hardware is an investment that has to be made if we are to make substantive progress on predicting hurricane intensity and structure" and will add cutbacks in some of the weather satellite programs "ARE A SERIOUS STEP BACKWARD ... "

"OF GREATEST PRIORITY in my view is for there to be a coordinated, WELL-FUNDED RESEARCH and SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT approach focused on REDUCING THE IMPACTS OF HURRICANES ON VULNERABLE COMMUNITIES."

Senator Bill Nelson, democrat of Florida, who represents some of those "vulnerable communities will chair the 10:00am hearing.

Just typical of politics and it looks like Bill Proenza was right. I wonder what some of his staff has to say?. I still believe that the Department of Commerce Inspector General needs to take a serious look.

RS

The NHC Follies

Ok I am really not interested in politics though its my belief that its time for a real change in the US Congress and the White House. But the hoopla on Bill Proenza the Director of the National Hurricane Center (NHC) is now getting to me. This blog was created for discussions on weather both on land and on the sea. Not the stupidity of bureaucrats and the politics of government. However I am going to kick myself and way in on this subject.

Bill Proenza replaced Max Mayfield this past January. Proenza has a very long history with NASA and NWS in forecasting weather. Let's face facts, Proenza did not get the position of Director of the National Hurricane Center because he did not know what he was doing, politics and Mike Brown aside. The man is qualified for the position. Furthermore, Proenza has a very different management style over his predecessors, he is very much hands. Whereas, the others were very "hands off" and allowed scientists to run with the football. Proenza likes to be not just the quarterback but the offensive and defensive coach as well. Proenza does not seem to play the games, meaning, "keep the complaints in the back room" that his predecessors did. He is very vocal. The heat seems to have started with his statements to the press about NOAA Wasting Millions and then his shot at the failing of the primary communications of the ten year old weather satellite QuikScat.

Last "Thursday, 23 employees - about half his staff - urged the government to removed him immediately". Ok, so half his staff does not like him. What about the other half? They don't count? Yes 99.7% of the staff are professionals and want to do the best they can. I also know that scientists do not take change easily, especially if someone is holding the reins on them. I am not going to start hammering other blogs for jumping one way or the other. We all enjoy free speech and opinion. However I do believe we need to read in between the lines here.

Ok, so we have a new chief, one who has a very different management style, who is very hands on and who is outspoken. So Proenza is upset that Commerce and NOAA spent about 100 Million on PR instead of technology. Well now, that seems to be a problem! Then he spouts off to the press about QuickScat a ten year old weather satellite losing its primary communication and the NHC needing to rely on its back up systems. NOAA spouts back with the press refuting Proenza and basically stating "NO PROBLEM" we got it covered and we will have another and better satellite airborne sometime around 2012. Really? QuickScat was a replacement for another failed satellite, ten years ago and NOAA and Commerce knew ten years ago that QuickScat was not designed for the long term. Ok now, my question. Where in Hurricane Heaven has Commerce and NOAA been for the last ten years? Oh yeah I forgot spending 100 million dollars of taxpayers money on public relations and parties.

Now enters part of the staff, who's complaints include that Proenza is undermining the public trust. By basically, opening his mouth in public and mis-representing facts about the QuickScat Satellite. Like the public does not question the NWS and some weather forecasters on a daily basis as it is now? Funny no mention of NOAA and Commerce blowing 100 Mil eh? Oh thats right, there were super secret, top level, hush-hush-mush-mush, behind closed door meetings with the staff to resolve some important issues! Yep, lets keep the public in the eye of the storm and not tell them that the other side of the storm is about to hit them.

Personally, it does not matter to me what Proenza claims about QuikScat or not. The fact is that the satellite was designed for a life span of ten years to replace another broken bird. The fact is that NOAA and Commerce knew this and have been playing the budget game and spending like drunken sailors. The fact is that some of the staff, according to press reports, seem to like not just the behind the scenes game, rather than being up front with the public. But they don't like hands on people either. What the heck its only our money that all sides are playing with.

So here is my final and only political posting reply. Bill Proenza resigned yesterday as Director and has been temporarily re-assigned. "Temporarily re-assigned"? Ed Rappaport the Deputy Director has been temporarily selected as the new acting Chief. The kinder, gentler chief, I suppose.

Now lets really get down to the facts and have the Office of Inspector General for the US Commerce Department look into all of this and see who is really at fault for here for what? Like I said, what the heck its only our money and I will add, our lives!

Other than that, its time to stop the nonsense now that NOAA, Commerce and "some" of the staff have their boy in slot and get back to work before we have another Katrina and Rita hit the US and NOAA mimic FEMA.

One last thing, who is steering the Congressional Oversight Committee on Commerce? There are some things just as important as, Paris Hilton, Scooter (Convicted) Libby, putting up or not puting up (Berlin) walls along our southern boarder and giving illegal folks a free American pass.

Sheesh, sometimes praying for a hurricane to strike so that everyone can focus on something important sounds like a better deal...

On the Illinois weather side;

Thunderstorms, raced acrossed parts of northern Illinois yesterday some more than 10 miles high, and exploded after a weeks of hot, muggy weather. The powerful storms had gusts that reached a reported 57 mph at Kenosha, 60 mph, south of Algonquin and 50 mph at Romeoville. Parts of McHenry County were drenched by 3” of rain. Moreover, DeKalb County was hit with 50+ m.p.h. gusts, 3/4-inch hail and then a cloudburst which hammered as much as 4.25” of rain. The down pour closed roads, forced the evacuation of one Northern Illinois University dorm, left cars stranded and basements flooded. NWS reported that at the hight of the storm there were more than 2,400 cloud to ground lightning strikes in a single 10 minute period within a 240 miles radius of Chicago.

Update of the s/v Sean Seamour II

Very shortly I will be updating the continuing saga of the s/v Sean Seamour II. I have completed my review of the NHC's report on Subtropical Storm Andrea and am awaiting a response to my questions from the NHC.

RS