The Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), headed by the National Weather Service (NWS) CFO/CAO, who obtains and manages financial, human, physical, and information resources to enable the NWS to fulfill its mission. It serves as the primary channel of communications and coordination with NWS headquarters offices and regions for all NWS management activities, and establishes priorities and requirements for those activities.

The Office leads formulation and execution of the NWS annual budget; allocates and provides accounting for the resources necessary to support the offices and regions; develops and implements a program for business process improvement; and, develops and manages the implementation of NWS-wide human resources, labor-management, and organizational development policies and practices. It also provides systems support for office automation, financial, and administrative systems. 

The Office also provides miscellaneous administrative support activities to NWS headquarters and other NWS elements located in the Washington, D.C. metro area as needed.

 

John Potts, CFO/CAO
(301) 427-6911
John.Potts@noaa.gov

John has 26 years of budgeting and financial management experience in NOAA. He first came to the National Weather Service in 1990, as a budget analyst where he advanced through the ranks working on the NWS Modernization and Associated Restructuring, and post-Modernization technology infusion, high performance computing, and facilities initiatives. He served as the Director of the Budget Formulation and Program Analysis Division and then Deputy NWS CFO. In 2008, John spent time at NOAA’s National Ocean Service as acting CFO and then as CFO at NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) where he served until 2013. At OMAO, John implemented new financial management, contracting, and property management practices; improved the transparency and effectiveness of Fleet allocation planning and budgeting; and advanced NOAA’s efforts to modernize the Fleet and increase ship and aircraft utilization. Since coming back to NWS in 2013 as CFO/CAO, John established new internal controls, improved financial management and acquisition planning, and played a key role in justifying and implementing the NWS Budget Restructuring and Headquarters Reorganization efforts.

 

Robert Ransom, Deputy Chief Financial Officer 
(301) 427-6914
Robert.Ransom@noaa.gov

 

Recognized expert in program and operations management including, budget execution and Federal contracting. Thirty years of management and supervisory experience. Specialized skill in Federal appropriations law, budget and operational analysis, and acquisition risk assessment. Certified Professional Contract Manager and author of multiple white papers on Federal acquisition and organizational assessment techniques. Experienced in development and delivery of professional training in acquisition and program management, budget development and execution, workforce development and retention methods, and organizational assessment.