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Biography of Max Mayfield -- Director of the National Hurricane Center

Max Mayfield
Director of NOAA's Tropical Prediction Center, National Hurricane Center

Max Mayfield is director of NOAA’s Tropical Prediction Center-National Hurricane Center, which is part of NOAA’s National Weather Service. He has played a key role in forecast and service improvements over a 33 year career.

A Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, he has presented invited papers at national and international scientific meetings, lectured in United Nations’ World Meteorological Organization sponsored training sessions, and provided numerous interviews to electronic and print media worldwide.

In 1996, The America Meteorological Society honored him with the Francis W. Reichelderfer Award for exemplary performance as coordinator of the National Hurricane Center’s hurricane preparedness training for emergency preparedness officials and the general public. He also received an Outstanding Achievement Award at the 2000 National Hurricane Conference for developing and expanding educational opportunities for state and local emergency management officials.

In 2004, the Federal Coordinator for Meteorological Services and Supporting Research sponsored an Interdepartmental Hurricane Conference and presented its Richard Hagemeyer Award to Mr. Mayfield for his contributions to the nation’s hurricane warning program. Also in 2004, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences’ Suncoast Chapter recognized him with its Governor’s Award, an “Emmy”, for extraordinary contributions to television by an individual not otherwise eligible for an Emmy.

Mr. Mayfield was named ABC Television Network’s “Person of the Week” after 2005 Hurricane Katrina. He was also selected as the 2005 Government Communicator of the Year by the National Association of Government Communicators (NAGC). He received a Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Service in 2005.

The U.S. Department of Commerce recognized Mr. Mayfield with Gold Medals for his work during (1992) Hurricane Andrew and (2003) Hurricane Isabel, and a Silver Medal during (1988) Hurricane Gilbert. He was also awarded a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Bronze Medal for creating a public-private partnership to support the nation’s disaster preparedness.

Mr. Mayfield is the current chairman of the World Meteorological Organization’s Regional Association-IV, which supports 26 members from Atlantic and eastern Pacific countries. He holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Oklahoma and a master’s degree in meteorology from Florida State University.

Mr. Mayfield is married, has three children, and resides in Miami, Florida.

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