There is no recent precedent for the volume and speed at which change is happening to traditional funding and support structures for our forecasting, research, innovation, and education efforts. Despite the multitude of challenges, there are three critical areas that I believe will require the AMS Council to provide essential leadership:

Funding the Society: The traditional funding model for the AMS has been shifting, and it is critical that we work to identify alternative ways to support our important work beyond journal subscriptions, publications, and some meetings. The Council will need to double its efforts to be creative in identifying ways the AMS can generate revenue from other activities, partnerships, and sponsorships. I believe we are only limited by our imagination in developing new creative opportunities that further enhance our mission.

Advocating for our Scientific Enterprise: There is no more critical time to use our Society's voice to ensure that policy makers and the public understand the important and substantial positive return on investment our work entails. Additionally, the AMS should work to develop relationships with non-governmental funding sources to cultivate interest in supporting the important work we do across the weather, water, and climate enterprise. This should include channeling our energy and efforts toward developing and implementing a marketing campaign that demonstrates the value of our work to various stakeholders.

Supporting our Members: The nature of our work has always been in flux, but now more than ever we need the AMS to be a leader in helping our members navigate the changing landscape of our discipline.
Facing these challenges will require our commitment as AMS members to work together and lean into our disciplinary strength in solving complex multivariate problems with creative solutions that break the mold to secure our foundation and continue fulfilling our mission.

Kevin H. Goebbert, Ph.D., has spent over 16 years as a faculty member and administrator at Valparaiso University where he is currently a Professor of Meteorology and Associate Provost. As an educator, he has taught courses spanning Introduction to Meteorology to Meteorological Computer Applications to Synoptic Analysis and Forecasting. He has implemented several educational innovations, including alternative grading methods for developing computer coding and map interpretation competency, creating flipped classroom experiences, and incorporating extensive experiential learning including class-based field observations during the 2024 total solar eclipse.

Goebbert his scholarly work through contributions to MetPy, a widely-used Python package for meteorological data analysis, creating OER materials including a textbook titled “Introduction to Weather Technology using MetPy”, and conducting research with undergraduate students on lake effect snow and other topics. He has published on topics including seasonal prediction of tropical cyclones, public perceptions of climate change, and lake effect snow climatology.

Goebbert has extensive national leadership experience in the weather, water, climate enterprise and specially with the AMS having served as Chair of the Board of Higher Education and as Commissioner/Past Commissioner of the Education and Engagement Commission (EEC). Through his time as EEC commissioner he led an effort to expand the EEC umbrella to enhance synergies and work of closely adjacent AMS activities. In addition to his roles within AMS, he currently serves as chair of the Strategic Advisory Committee for NSF Unidata and is a past member of the PACUR as a part of UCAR activities. Through all of his leadership Goebbert champions education and inclusion efforts that ensure individuals gain the necessary skills and sense of belonging to thrive within our field, no matter where their path takes them.

Goebbert holds a B.S. in meteorology from Valparaiso University and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Oklahoma.