Our Society faces both significant challenges and exciting opportunities as we move forward together. As I write this in early July, science in the U.S. is under political pressure, with major budget cuts proposed for NOAA, NASA, and climate research. These cuts threaten essential parts of the Weather, Water, and Climate enterprise. The AMS is well-positioned to advocate not only for restoring these budgets but also for communicating the value of the combined Weather, Water, and Climate Enterprise, because it is the combination of all 3 sectors that makes our Enterprise unique and of great value to society.

At the same time, the private weather and climate sector is growing rapidly, reshaping how government, academia, and private companies interact, especially when it comes to supporting early-career professionals. AMS has long helped connect these sectors, and strengthening this role—as a neutral, collaborative hub—will be critical as these dynamics evolve.

Artificial Intelligence is also transforming forecasting and many societal functions. AMS must embrace this shift by integrating AI into its programs, meetings, and forums, and by connecting members—especially those early in their careers—with AI leaders. The demand for AI talent in our field is only increasing, and we must be ready.

Challenges like these come with great opportunity. AMS can be a powerful advocate, a platform for communication, and a home for science-based thinking, inclusion, and innovation. To do that effectively, AMS must also be sustainable. This means evolving our business model, potentially through stronger corporate and philanthropic partnerships and expanding digital content and services for members.

With leadership experience in both government research and the private sector, I’m committed to helping build a resilient AMS that thrives in a changing world. We must think boldly and adapt quickly to keep AMS valuable to both its members and society.

Michael D. Eilts has 25 years in the private sector after 16 years at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, leaving there as the Assistant Director in 2000.  In the past 25 years, he has created and grown weather information companies, enhancing customers’ business safety, efficiency, and profitability. As Spire Global General Manager of Weather & Climate, he drives their global weather data and solutions strategy using Spire’s satellite constellation.

Previously, Eilts spent 16 years at the National Severe Storms Laboratory, including seven as Assistant Director. In 2000, he co-founded Weather Decision Technologies (WDT), serving as President and CEO for 18 years. WDT transferred technology from academia and government, creating services supporting outdoor event safety and business operations. After DTN acquired WDT in 2018, Eilts led DTN’s Weather Business Unit as Senior Vice President for nearly three years before launching his consulting business in 2021 and joining Spire in 2023.

Eilts holds a B.S. and M.S. in Meteorology and an MBA from the University of Oklahoma and is a graduate of Harvard’s Senior Executive Fellows Program. An AMS Fellow, he currently co-chairs the AMS Forecast Improvement Group. He previously served on the AMS Finance Committee (2017-2021), the Committee on Environmental Information Processing Technology (2005-2017), and the Board of Best Practices for Emergency Communication Services (2016-2021). Eilts also served as a Task Team co-leader for the NOAA Science Advisory Board “Decadal Priorities of Weather Research for NOAA” study (2020-2021) and served on the National Academy of Sciences Committee on Advancing Social and Behavioral Science Research and Application Within the Weather Enterprise (2016-2019).