Sylvia M. Reeves

I am a highly organized professional with a proven track record coordinating complex tasks and ensuring that collaborative efforts are science based and easily adaptable by the identified user group. From my early career experience as an officer in the US Air Force, I have developed extensive skills in natural hazard response planning and preparedness. In this role, I provided technical recommendations to high-ranking decision makers in aviation, ground operations and public protection. Transitioning into civilian life as a radio broadcast meteorologist, I enhansed my communication skills focused on public protection during severe weather events. My work as a multi-sector consultant on weather impacts to agriculture, transportaion, energy production and commodities brokers expanded my expertise on natural hazard impact mitigation. Following Hurricane Katrina, I decided to pursue a career in emergency management. I volunteered in a small Connecticut town, where I established a modern emergency management program and trained its first Community Emergency Response Team (CERT). This experience sharpened my skills as an "all hazards" emergency preparedness planner, trainer and expanded my leadership skills. I trained over 100 individuals to support their communities and ensure family preparedness for any hazard. Later, as a public health emergency preparedness planner, I fostered consensus among diverse groups to achieve improvements in public health and safety. My tenure at Connecticut's Division of Emergency Services and Homeland Security broadened my experience in working with government and private entities to promote health and life safety. Currently, I am serving as a drought information coordinator within the National Integrated Drought Information System at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, where I am honored to continue my public service by connecting climate research and data resources with those responding to its impacts. This position, within the Cooperative Institute for Research in the Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado, Boulder is classified as Associate Scientist level III. As I approach my 5th year of service in this postion, I am requesting a review of my service and professional advancement with the goal of being promoted to Level II.

Reports, Technical Updates and Newsletters

Editor/Contributor for NIDIS Northeast Drought Early Warning Updates and Newsletters ( (July 2020 to Present)

(Reports - 1, Technical Updates XX, Newsletters YY)

NIDIS Second National Flash Drought Workshop Report

Lead Author (March 2024)

Awards

CIRES Bronze Medal for Superior Performance (2022)

Meritorious Service to Science for cutting-edge implementation of the NIDIS public law through the enhancement of the Drought.gov website and built on interagency and DOC partnership efforts.

Presentations

Meeting Organization and Exercise Management

Co-Lead, Organizing Committee for NIDIS's Second National Flash Drought Workshop (May 2023)

Lead Planner for the NIDIS Northeast DEWS Partners meeting

(November 2022)

Lead Planner for the NIDIS Northeast DEWS Partners Strategic Action Plan Listening Sessions (October 2020)

Lead Planner/ Exercise Manager and Controller, Connecticut Office of Emergency Management Radiological Ingestion Exposure Pathway Exercise (2019)

Formal Training

Utilizing Cultural Intelligence (CQ) to Engage and Advance with Tribal and Indian Nations

Department of Homeland Security Exercise and Evaluation Program

Evaluation

Exercise Planning

Radiological Public Protection

101 Through 800

Emergency Management

101 through 800 series

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Lincoln Laboratory

Hurricane Evacuation (HURREVAC - HV-X) Decision Support platform testing (2018)

NOAA National Hurricane Center and Department of Homeland Security's FEMA Hurricane Preparedness Course (February 2014)

Harvard University T. H. Chan School of Public Health

Computer-Aided Management of Emergency Operations (CAMEO) Software training (Spring 2011)

[EPA and NOAA co-developed application for planning and response to hazardous chemical dispersion incidents.]

Mentorship and Volunteer Service

Northeastern University Roux Institute Business Studies Capstone Project Science Advisor (April 2024)

Student Mentor and Science Lead, NASA DEVELOP

Rhode Island and Vermont based projects (2024)

Museum of the Earth - Paleontological Research Institution

Summer student program leader - Our Water (June/July 2024)

Boston University Questrom School of Business Analytics

Capstone Project Science Industry Sponsor/Advisor/Mentor

Fall 2021 and 2022

CQ