Dello Named State Climatologist for North Carolina

The State Climate Office (SCO) of North Carolina has announced Kathie Dello as its new permanent director and as the state climatologist for North Carolina, effective July 9.

Dello most recently served as associate director of the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute and as deputy director of the Oregon Climate Service, the state climate office for Oregon. Beyond her administrative roles, she has worked extensively at the intersection of climate science and public policy, including positions on Oregon’s Water Supply Availability Committee and Drought Readiness Council.

Originally from upstate New York, Dello earned her B.S. in meteorology and M.S. in geography from the University at Albany and her Ph.D. in environmental sciences from Oregon State University.

“I am very excited to join the North Carolina State Climate Office this summer,” Dello said. “The office has a long history and stellar reputation of doing top-notch climate services work. I am looking forward to being a part of it, and getting to know North Carolina. I look forward to meeting with partners after my arrival in Raleigh.”

Dello will be the first permanent director of SCO since 2016, the fifth permanent director in the office’s 43-year history, and the first woman to serve in this role.

She takes the helm of an office that is one of the most active state climate offices in the nation, with 10 full-time staff, six student employees, powerful computing facilities, a robust state-wide observing network, and active engagement with stakeholders, the general public and K-12 students. SCO’s diverse portfolio of applied climate research includes $1.7 million in externally funded projects supported by three North Carolina state agencies, four federal agencies and three nongovernmental organizations.

This post was originally published by the State Climate Office.