Project Office News: August 2006

The document and all of your comments, unedited, will be the basis for the final design of the scientific programs that NEON will conduct and support. We will accept comments until 15 September, however, because of some very tight deadlines associated with the release of a Request for Information (RFI) to the community and another merit review by an NSF panel of the conceptual design of NEON, we will be working with NSF before the 15th to make some additional decisions about the design of NEON. So, input by Thursday, 7 September would be especially useful.

Importantly, the ISEP as it is posted may be changed in response to input from the community or from NEON Inc., or because of the effects of budget considerations on a prioritized list of the various components of NEON that have been proposed. No changes in the posted ISEP will go forward without being scrutinized. The final form of the ISEP will be critically assessed the week of 6 November by an independent NSF panel. It is the results of that panel that will go forward as the near final form of the NEON program.

I want to personally thank the special committee of colleagues who undertook the ISEP review under a very tight schedule. Their work has been of enormous value to overall NEON development. Without their input, we would not be able to move forward with the certainty we are now experiencing. The committee included Chris Field, chair, Ruth DeFries, co-chair, and members David Foster, Morgan Grove, Rob Jackson, Bev Law, David Lodge, Deb Peters, and Dave Schimel.

A final request. NEON Inc. is now looking to fill the position of Chief Executive Officer. This position is, in essence, the most important NEON officer and has overall responsibility for NEON in the future. The CEO answers directly to the NEON Board of Directors. If you are interested in this position or would like to nominate someone else, please drop me a note (jam@cc.usu.edu). We would like to make a full-time or interim appointment ASAP, but certainly by 1 January 2007.

Well, that is it for now. I will continue to try to keep you apprised of NEON progress. Things are happening very rapidly, but the future continues to look bright.

Jim

Jim MacMahon
Chairman, NEON Inc. Board of Directors