As the AMS enters its second century, the need to promote the best science to serve society is arguably stronger than it has ever been. To meet this need, the AMS must continue to evolve in three key areas. First, it must provide the research community the most attractive options for conducting and communicating their research. The Society was at the leading edge of electronic publications and delayed open access. Now the Society must lead in facilitating research including supporting multidisciplinary research by leveraging new digital tools while maintaining its quality standards. The nascent effort approved by the AMS Council to take a fresh look at the AMS strategies across publications, curation, and communication of scientific research is a welcome first step.

Second, given that every citizen is touched by weather, the Society is uniquely positioned to engage an increasingly skeptical public in science. Its Education Program is an important component of this and must adapt to changing business models. With support, the local chapters can play an even bigger role than they do today in public outreach. And through partnerships, other pathways could be explored, such as citizen science projects. The benefit is a more informed public and policy makers who use and support science.

These first two challenges can’t be met without a vibrant, diverse, and fiscally sound Society. It is essential that we continue to work to attract and retain early- and midcareer professionals from atmospheric and adjacent disciplines and support all members throughout their careers. The AMS also must relook at its own financial model as traditional business models continue to be disrupted.

The AMS, with its focus on science and service and membership across the public, private, and academic sectors, has helped me continue to grow throughout my career. I would be honored to serve as president.

Mary M. Glackin

Mary M. Glackin is the Vice President for Weather Business Solutions for The Weather Company, an IBM Business serving clients globally delivering weather and climate services. In this role, she oversees forecasting science and operations, product development, and client relationships. Glackin also manages the company’s relationships with members of the national and global weather enterprise that includes national and international government agencies, academia, and other private-sector providers, including philanthropic activities.

Glackin served as deputy under secretary at NOAA from 2007 to 2012, where she was responsible for day-to-day management of the atmospheric services, research, and coastal and marine stewardship of the $4.9B agency. Prior to that, she represented the Department of Commerce/NOAA to the U.S. Global Change Research Program (2003–07). In this role she cochaired the CCSP workshop, “Climate Science in Support of Decision Making” (2005). Glackin held a number of executive positions at NOAA, including deputy assistant administrator for Satellite Data and Information Services (1999–2003) and AWIPS program manager (1994–99). These experiences position Glackin to well understand the atmospheric and related sciences, technologies, applications and services that AMS seeks to advance to the benefit of society.

Glackin is a Fellow of AMS and a recipient of the Brooks Award (2004). She serves on the Centennial and Awards Nomination Committees, served as commissioner of the Enterprise Commission (2014–16), councilor and member of Executive Committee (2000–03), member of the Planning Commission (2004–06), and member of IIPS (1997–99).

She has a B.S. in computer science from the University of Maryland (1984) with a major in computer science with concentration in atmospheric sciences. She has twice received the U.S. Presidential Rank Award and the Department of Commerce Silver and Bronze Medals. She is a Fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration and is currently serving on the Board of Atmospheric Science and Climate.