The American Association of State Climatologists announced today that its headquarters will be located in Asheville, according to a media release from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce. From the WNC office, newly hired executive director Lieutenant-Colonel Glenn Kerr (retired) — former commander of the 14th Weather Squadron of the U.S. Air Force — will guide the organization in its support for “development of science-based climate services that assist in climate-related decisions for the public and private sectors, from community planning to business resiliency and risk mitigation.”
“The Executive Committee of the AASC felt very strongly that the concentration of climate related activities, including the presence of the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites – North Carolina (CICS-NC), UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC), and a nexus of private-sector climate related interests make Asheville the premier location for AASC’s national office,” said Dan Leathers, AASC President. “We are thrilled to be located in Asheville.”
Here is the full release from the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce:
In conjunction with the Economic Development Coalition for Asheville-Buncombe County (EDC), the American Association of State Climatologists (AASC) announced today it will locate the organization’s headquarters and first full-time executive director in Asheville, N.C. The AASC supports the development of science-based climate services that assist in climate-related decisions for the public and private sectors, from community planning to business resiliency and risk mitigation.
The AASC has selected its new Executive Director, Lieutenant-Colonel Glenn Kerr (retired), former commander of the 14th Weather Squadron of the U.S. Air Force. Kerr has served in diverse weather and climate-related capacities for the USAF for more than 20 years and holds a Master’s degree in Meteorology.
“The Executive Committee of the AASC felt very strongly that the concentration of climate related activities, including the presence of the National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites – North Carolina (CICS-NC), UNC Asheville’s National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center (NEMAC), and a nexus of private-sector climate related interests make Asheville the premier location for AASC’s national office,” said Dan Leathers, AASC President. “We are thrilled to be located in Asheville.”
The Association joins a growing cluster of private sector technical and professional businesses located proximate to the federally funded NCEI Headquarters (formerly NCDC). Based in Asheville since 1951, today the data center employs nearly 400 scientists, technologists and analysts, including 16 Nobel Laureates. As a part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), NCEI hosts and provides public access to one of the most significant environmental data archives on Earth, with over 20 petabytes of climate, weather, atmospheric, coastal, oceanic, and geophysical data.
“Having AASC’s Executive Office in Asheville will build even stronger relationships and collaborations between the climate data and scientifically informed decision making on climate resilience,” said Michael Tanner, Director, Center for Weather and Climate at NOAA NCEI.
CICS-NC, a unique inter-institutional research center with the UNC system, sees mutual benefits too. “This partnership between AASC, NCEI, and CICS-NC will improve our collective abilities to understand and meet the growing needs for climate, weather, and environmental data in the public, private, and academic sectors,” added Dr. Otis Brown, Director of the Institute.
Asheville’s climate partners helped develop the U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit launched by the White House in November 2014. It provides best practices to help communities prepare for and boost their resilience to the impacts of climate change.
“AASC’s commitment confirms Asheville’s international reputation as the hub for public and private collaboration on climate-related issues,” said Mack Pearsall, President and Board Chair of the Asheville Buncombe Sustainable Community Initiatives (ABSCI) and co-founder of the Asheville Collider.
The Collider will offer state-of-the-art meeting and teleconferencing facilities, co-working space and corporate office suites on the top floor of the Wells Fargo Building, currently undergoing $1.3 million in renovations. “Collaboration is essential to innovation and economic growth, and it begins with the expertise and data in Asheville, North Carolina,” Pearsall stated.
“Asheville is uniquely positioned to capitalize on this emerging one-trillion-dollar industry of climate-related technology, tools and services,” commented Taylor Foss, chair of the EDC. “We’re grateful for the leadership of national and local partners who understand the value of this knowledge-based industry to a strong regional economy.”
About the American Association of State Climatologists:
Founded in 1976, the American Association of State Climatologists advances the development and delivery of science-based climate services at the state and local levels. AASC works to support a society in which climate-sensitive decisions are guided by science-based information derived from historical and current observed climate and scenarios of future climate. Learn more at www.stateclimate.org.About the Economic Development Coalition (EDC) for Asheville-Buncombe County:
The Economic Development Coalition (EDC) for Asheville-Buncombe County is a public-private partnership committed to: creating and retaining high quality jobs, community leadership, and being a resource for better business decisions. The EDC accomplishes this mission through its four core services: business retention and expansion, small business and entrepreneurship, research, and marketing and recruitment. The EDC is funded by Buncombe County, the City of Asheville, the Town of Weaverville, the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce and the AVL 5×5 Campaign. Visit www.ashevillechamber.org/economic-development.About the Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce:
The Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce is a member organization with over 1,800 member businesses and organizations. Chamber members collaborate with community organizations and coalitions to support the community and each other with the mission of building community through business. The Chamber is home to a 4,000 square foot Visitor Center which welcomes over 200,000 visitors per year. To get active in the Chamber, visit www.ashevillechamber.org.
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