(December 24, 2024) – NWSEO members united for two impactful days of learning, networking, and camaraderie at the 49th Annual National Convention, held November 18-19, 2024, in Alexandria, VA. Led by NWSEO President JoAnn Becker and Executive Vice President Brandon Dunstan, the event featured inspiring guest speakers, engaging workshops, and valuable opportunities to connect with fellow members. Explore the highlights below:
Guest Speakers
This year’s convention featured insightful presentations from esteemed guest speakers.
Dianne Suess, Outward Mindset Program Manager, and John Ogren, NWS Chief Learning Officer, shared insights about the Outward Mindset training program available to NWS managers and the optional Outward Performance training now offered to employees. The Outward Mindset underscores the significance of valuing others as much as ourselves, emphasizing a focus on their needs, goals, and challenges as equally important.
Pictured above from left to right: Tim Curry, Deputy Associate Director, Accountability and Workforce Relations, Relation Workforce Policy and Innovation within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM); Michelle Mainelli, Deputy Director and Ken Graham, NWS Director
Our second guest speaker, Tim Curry, Deputy Associate Director for Accountability and Workforce Relations within the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), shared valuable insights into how OPM reviews and publishes regulations governing the federal workforce.
The convention also welcomed NWS Director Ken Graham and Deputy Director Michelle Mainelli for the second consecutive year. They highlighted the significance of a strong NWS-NWSEO partnership and provided updates on key initiatives, including CWSU funding and the NWS Operations Model. Their continued engagement underscored their commitment to fostering collaboration and progress within the organization.
Special Recognition
NWSEO Eastern Region Chairperson Alicia Miller was the recipient of the 2024 Kip
Robinson Award. Named after the late Kip Robinson, an invaluable and diligent NWSEO lobbyist, this annual award recognizes members who volunteer their time and talents to make NWSEO a stronger union. Past members include Jim Lee, Brandon Dunstan, Aaron Stevens, Chris Jacobson, Bill Proenza, Bill Hirt, John Stansfield, Barry Hirshorn, Chris Sisko, DeLyne Kirkham, Steve Pritchett, Shannon White, David Marsalek, Steve Wannebo, Mitch MacDonald, John Werner, Jason B. Wright, JoAnn Becker, Mike Dion, Mark Pellerito, and Karleisa Rogacheski.
Retirements
Two long-standing NWSEO officers, National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) NWSEO Chairperson Hugh Sharkey and NWSEO Western Region Vice Chairperson Jon Fox, were honored for their service as they retired from the NWSEO National Council.
Hugh Sharkey organized additional NESDIS employees in the Missions Operations Branch, Suitland, MD. Through this effort, the NESDIS bargaining unit increased from four branches in Wallops Island to nine.
Jon Fox has served as the NWSEO Western Region Chairperson since 2021. At this convention, he transitioned into the Western Region Vice Chairperson role, a position he will hold until he retires from the NWS in January 2025.
Welcome New NWSEO Regional Officers
Pictured above from left to right: Jonelle Dilley, new NOAA Attorneys Guild (NAG) Chairperson; Greg Gautreaux, new NESDIS Chairperson; Stefanie Sullivan, new Western Region Chairperson
To conclude the 2024 convention, the NWSEO Executive Council welcomed three new Chairpersons to the National Council and two new Vice Chairpersons:
Jonelle Dilley – NOAA Attorney’s Guild Chairperson
Mitch MacDonald - NOAA Attorney’s Guild Vice Chairperson
Greg Gautreaux – NESDIS Chairperson
Stefanie Sullivan – Western Region Chairperson
Jon Fox – Western Region Vice Chairperson
Congratulations to all. We hope to see you next year at the 50th National Convention, which will be held on October 28-29, 2025, at the Westin Seattle, WA.
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