Sandra Starkweather Earth System Research Laboratory National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 325 Broadway Boulder, CO 80305 sandy.starkweather@noaa.gov

Sandy Starkweather is the Executive Director for the US Arctic Observing Network, a NOAA funded position created to advance NOAA and US agency participation in partnered arctic observing activities and work towards a framework concept for an international Arctic Observing Network (AON).  With a joint background in engineering (energy systems, renewables, conservation), earth science (Arctic climatology) and science policy, Sandy has worked in a consulting engineering capacity, university research, project management and planning. During this time, she spent twelve years traveling to/from Greenland to either participate in or support Arctic field research. Sandy has combined her experiences to advance coordination among independently funded, flagship Arctic observatories for the IASOA consortium and to advance the implementation of the U.S. Interagency Arctic Research Policy Committee's (IARPC) Five Year Plan for Arctic Research. She maintains a strong interest in improving the effectiveness of the Arctic research enterprise, particularly in situ observational research, through building stronger collaborations among all parties (stakeholders) who benefit from sustained Arctic observing.