Zilkoski Named National Geodetic Survey Director

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today named David B. Zilkoski as the new director of NOAA's Office of National Geodetic Survey (NGS). Mr. Zilkoski will be responsible for overseeing NOAA's responsibilities for the nation's spatial reference system.

Mr. Zilkoski had as served as deputy director of NGS for the past 6 years. In that post he oversaw the development and technology transfer of activities such as the Shallow Water Positioning System (SWaPS) for monitoring underwater features; the incorporation of geodetic data and procedures into projects for determining accurate elevations; and the use of new technology such as global positioning systems, LIDAR and Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar to generate shoreline and other coastal information for coastal managers.

Most recently, Mr. Zilkoski oversaw a reevaluation of benchmarks in Louisiana and guided NOAA's installation of a "CORS" or continually operating reference system of benchmarks that uses satellite technology to ensure that accurate heights are maintained in the ever evolving Gulf Coast area.