Climate specialist Rick Thoman receives NOAA career award

Richard “Rick” Thoman, an Alaska climate specialist with the Alaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy at the International Arctic Research Center  is a 2020 recipient of a NOAA Distinguished Career Award for Professional Achievement. The award recognizes individual NOAA employees — present and recently retired, such as Thoman — who have made long-term contributions and commitments to accomplishing NOAA goals. 

The NOAA Distinguished Career Award honors contributions on a sustained basis and a body of work, rather than a single defined accomplishment. In addition, this award recognizes significant accomplishments across all NOAA program areas and functions that have resulted in long-term benefits to the bureau’s mission and strategic goals.  

Thoman was honored after a 30-year career with the National Weather Service for continued efforts to improve climate services in Alaska and for outstanding outreach efforts to work with Alaska Native communities.  

Read more on the IARC website, or, for more information, contact Tina Buxbaum at tmbuxbaum@alaska.edu or 474-7812.