Dr. Russell Schneider was named Director of the NOAA-NWS Storm Prediction Center in August 2010 and led the Center through the historic 2011 tornado season.  The Storm Prediction Center is responsible for protection of life and property through official 24x7 nationwide forecasts and warnings for hazardous mesoscale weather phenomena including tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and wildfires (see www.spc.noaa.gov ).  Russ began his NWS career in 1992.

Dr. Schneider’s responsibilities span all facets of NOAA-NWS Storm Prediction Center (SPC) programs, from critical operational weather forecasting, to integration the latest science and technology into SPC operations. He provides strategic direction for both the Operations and Science Support Branches, and assists National Weather Service Leadership in establishing and executing strategic plans for NOAA nationwide severe weather services.

Dr. Schneider was the first Science Support Branch Chief at the Storm Prediction Center and served in this role from 1997-2010. Russ earned B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Atmospheric Science from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Russ was awarded a Department of Commerce Bronze Medal for his contributions to US weather services in 2007, and the American Meteorological Society Kenneth C. Spengler Award for his efforts to bring diverse communities together within the collaborative environment of the NOAA Hazardous Weather Testbed in 2011. Dr. Schneider was elected a Fellow of the American Meteorological Society in 2012. Along with nine other NWS colleagues, Dr. Schneider was recognized by President Barack Obama for severe weather forecasts and warnings prior to the 20 May 2013 Moore, Oklahoma tornado in a departure ceremony at Tinker Air Force Base next to Air Force One.

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