Karen Argain (A)

The Division formulates, consults and manages NWS major facilities programs and projects. Responsibilities include space management, facility planning, design and construction and renovation, real property disposal, building infrastructure consultation/management, facility construction and renovation for Headquarters, National Capital Region (NCR), national centers and support centers. Space management includes NWS physical space studies, planning, design, standards, analysis, assessment and utilization. The Division identifies opportunities to improve space utilization efficiency and effectiveness through management/analyses of: monitoring DOC/NOAA space rent assignments, Headquarters portfolio realignment and Silver Spring Metro Center 2 (SSMC2) occupancy management (on-boarding/out-boarding/internal relocations). Additionally, this Division has been designated as the SSMC campus liaison with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Office of the Chief Administrative Officer (OCAO), Lessor, and the Headquarter’s numerous activities - including safety emergencies, inspections, customer service immediate need/response point of contact and security access management authority. The Division is responsible for and leads the NWS Real Property Disposal program and projects - managing, validating and handling all existence testing. The Division provides consultation, monitoring and management for SSMC2 critical building infrastructure that supports NWS 24/7 operations. The Division oversees the contract budgetary controls, systematic inspection, planning, design, major repairs and building system upgrades to facilities.

Mark Burkes

The Division manages NWS Office of Facilities Policies, the strategic planning and execution for NWS’ portfolio of real property and the NWS-wide Facility Condition Assessment (FCA), Deferred Maintenance (DM), Safety, Environmental, Sustainability, Energy and Physical Security programs. The Division formulates facility requirements, annual budgets, performs real property Business Case Analyses (BCA’s) and manages real property leasing actions including Weather Forecast Office (WFO) relocations, new leases, Tenant Improvements (TI), regional and field system replacements. The Division executes the strategic facilities vision of the NWS in support of critical operational initiatives to facilitate Weather Ready Nation (WRN) Impact-Based Decision Support Services (IDSS) by optimizing space utilization while collocating with core partners including Emergency Operation Centers (EOCs), universities, Federal, State and local stakeholders. The Division manages the FCA program and prioritizes annual budgeting and replacement of critical systems through the management of the DM program. The Division formulates and manages major facilities projects affecting WFOs, RFCs, and manages the execution of WFO construction and retrofit of existing facilities. The Division manages the national Safety & Environmental programs and formulates and conducts NWS-tailored training to ensure the safety and readiness of the NWS workforce. The Division manages the Sustainability and Energy programs to ensure and maintain operational resilience, energy efficiency and reduced operating costs. The Division also manages the national Physical Security program and prioritizes remedial actions and budgets, plans and oversees the execution of physical security improvements.