UCAR

In 1960, Walter Orr Roberts was chosen by trustees from the 14 founding universities to serve as UCAR's first president.

Today, the president is still chosen by the Board of Trustees and is given the responsibility for creating, promoting, and executing a shared community vision. Among the president's key responsibilities are providing strategic vision and leadership for UCAR, overseeing the management and operation of NSF NCAR, and broadening awareness of the many ways Earth system science benefits the nation. (Pictured above: Walter Orr Roberts, founding UCAR president and NSF NCAR director.)

UCAR President's Council

The President's Council includes senior leadership from across NSF NCAR, UCAR, and our community programs. It is the senior corporate management body of UCAR and serves in an advisory role to the UCAR president.

Antonio J. Busalacchi

Antonio J. Busalacchi

UCAR President

Busalacchi joined UCAR in 2016 after serving as the founding director of the Earth System Science Interdisciplinary Center at the University of Maryland. A member of the National Academy of Engineering, Busalacchi began his career at NASA.

Read full bio
Carolyn Brinkworth

Carolyn "Cam" Brinkworth

Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer

Brinkworth joined UCAR in 2014 to lead the organization's diversity and inclusion efforts. She has previously worked with NASA, Caltech, and the American Astronomical Society and was awarded the NASA Equal Employment Opportunity Medal in 2013.

Rachael Drummond

Rachael Drummond

Communications Director

Drummond joined UCAR Communications in 2007 after moving to Colorado from New Zealand. She holds a master's degree in strategic public relations from The George Washington University as well as degrees from the University of Canterbury and Massey University.

Michael Henry

Michael Henry

Director of Government Relations

Henry joined UCAR in 2023 from NASA, where he was the policy lead for the agency's Earth Science Division and supports strategic science partnerships. A science policy leader and communicator with 15 years of experience working in Washington, D.C., Mike holds a master's degree in Environmental Studies from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Laura Hillock

Laura Hillock

Chief Legal Officer

Hillock joined UCAR in 2024 from Andelyn Biosciences, where she served as General Counsel, Corporate Secretary, and Chief Compliance Officer. Prior to that, Hillock served for 12 years as Associate General Counsel at the University of Pittsburgh.

Everette Joseph

Everette Joseph

NSF NCAR Director

Joseph joined NSF NCAR in 2019 from the University at Albany, State University of New York, where he was director of the Atmospheric Sciences Research Center. He has served as principal or co-principal investigator on over $90 million in research grants from NSF, NOAA, NASA, and other agencies.

Ying-Hwa "Bill" Kuo

Ying-Hwa "Bill" Kuo

UCAR Community Programs Director

Kuo has led UCAR's community programs since 2015. A senior scientist with expertise in weather modeling and remote sensing using global navigation systems, his prior UCAR roles include directing the National Developmental Testbed Center and the COSMIC program.

Greg Madden

Greg Madden

Chief Information Officer

Madden joined UCAR from Penn State University, where he served as associate CIO for research. His expertise includes understanding, identifying, and improving research computing, research data, and cyberinfrastructure, both onsite and in the cloud.

Bonnie Meinke

Bonnie Meinke

Director of External Engagement and Business Development

Meinke joined UCAR in 2023 from the National Science Foundation’s National Ecological Observatory Network (NEON), where she led NEON's continental-scale engagement efforts. A civil space leader and science community convener with 10+ years of experience, she holds a PhD in Astrophysical and Planetary Science from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Renee Sneed

Renee Sneed

Chief Human Resources Officer

Sneed joined the organization in 2024 from Tulane University, where she served as assistant vice president of human resources and institutional equity. Prior to Tulane, she was the chief human resources officer for a global architectural and interior design firm. With over 25 years of experience introducing innovative compensation, benefits, workforce planning, recruitment, performance management, and employee relations practices, she holds a Master of Business Administration with a specialization in human resources from the University of North Texas.

Alisha Swofford

Alisha Swofford

Chief Operating Officer

Swofford joined UCAR in 2019. She has a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Science in communication and public relations from Missouri State University, and has spent her entire career leading operations--previously working at FedEx Express, Nike Inc., and the University of Colorado Boulder.

Justin Young

Justin Young

Chief Financial Officer

Justin joined the organization in 1988 and has served in multiple finance leadership roles throughout his tenure. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Drake University and a bachelor's degree in business administration from the University of Iowa.