Hurricane Center's Director Under Attack

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Miami Herald
Wednesday, July 4, 2007

MIAMI, July 3 -- Three senior forecasters at the National Hurricane Center called Tuesday for the ouster of the new director, Bill Proenza, saying he has damaged public confidence in their forecasts, fractured morale and lost their support.

"I don't think that Bill can continue here," said James Franklin, one of five senior forecasters at the center. "I don't think he can be an effective leader."

Two others, Richard Pasch and Rick Knabb, said that they concur.

"We need a change of leadership here at the Hurricane Center," Pasch said. "It's pretty much as simple as that."

Meanwhile, an assessment team dispatched by Proenza's superiors in Washington spent a second day at the center. The team is trying to determine whether forecasters can fulfill their mission under the outspoken and controversial director.

Proenza, who accepted the $150,000-a-year job just six months ago, said late Tuesday that he will not resign and blamed the center's morale problems on "Washington harassment."

Proenza, 62, has repeatedly criticized his bosses at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, saying they have not provided the Hurricane Center with adequate research funds and failed to plan for the eventual demise of an important weather satellite.