Brad Ballard

About Brad Ballard

Brad is an accomplished Data Management / Remote Sensing specialist with over 15 years of experience. His past roles include work with Silicon Valley start-ups, the Federal government, and the US Military. He is committed to continuous learning, collaboration between cross-functional teams, and developing craft solutions to complex data-related problems. Brad has a track record of delivering reliable high-quality software products to his clients.Bio:Before joining the US Navy, Brad played college sports: football at Morehead State University and rugby at Coastal Carolina University. He was in the US Navy from 2007-12 - stationed in Charleston, SC 2008-10 and Fujairah, UAE in 2011. After the Navy, he completed his undergrad at Ohio State University (in Economics) and was in Cape Town, South Africa in 2013 for an economic development internship. Brad then moved to Silicon Valley for grad school at SJSU (in Economics) and lived there from 2013-19. Along the way, he completed an online master\'s degree from the University of Illinois (in Computer Science). He previously worked for Picarro Inc. from 2015-23 as an engineer responsible for equipment sensitive to methane, helping utility companies (such as PG & E, CenterPoint, Italgas, Xcel, and others) to address their climate change impact. Brad currently works in Data Management at NOAA in Boulder, CO (https://psl.noaa.gov/people/bradley.ballard/). As part of the NOAA Physical Science Laboratory (Data, Instrumentation, and Field Campaigns Division), Brad is a liaison between all research teams to understand their data holdings and needs. In cooperation with storage managers (NCEI, NCAR, Zenodo) he organizes and maintains metadata for all model and observational datasets. Brad is responsible for ensuring the lab’s data holdings adhere to Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) principles to allow for ease of use for both scientists and the general public. He also provides lab and field support to the engineering team.Software:Proficient: Python (pandas, numpy, scikit-learn), R (caret, mlr), Bash/Shell, SQLBasic: Perl, Matlab, Tableau, ArcGIS, QGIS, Stata, Solidity, Perl, C/C++https://github.com/bblrdOpen to:Seeking roles in data analytics, engineering, or project management in the renewable energy / green tech industry, methane gas / utility industry, finance / DeFi space, or local governance.

Experience

1. Associate Scientist Iii for Field and Lab Support (Data Management)

   Noaa National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration

   Nov 2023 — Present · Boulder, CO, US

   Update PSL Observation archive with datasets returned from the field, document outages• Visit observation field sites to set up, take down equipment, and prepare it for travel• Troubleshoot outages with PSL Observation network sites, assist the Field team remotely• Download, format, and prepare highly used reanalysis datasets (era5) monthly • Review & respond to email questions from the general public in a professional and timely manner• Develop organizational principles and DM Plans across labs and for specific projects• Ensure adherence to Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) principles• Organize and maintain metadata for all modeling and observational data holdings (InPort, AMS)• Communicate with Storage managers (NCEI), organize data holdings to increase accessibility• Improve documentation and website availability with the Web & Data team• Coordinate creation of DOI with external org, assist in publication of scientific research datasets• Develop Python scripts to improve visibility and understanding of the Observation dataset archive• Affiliation: University of Colorado/CIRES working at NOAA/PSL• Previous affiliation 2023-25: RIVA Solutions Inc working at NOAA/PSLSkills: Data Management · Python (Programming Language) · Data Cleaning · Presentations · Interpersonal Communication · Presentations · Computer Literacy · Github · Problem Solving · Microsoft PowerPoint · Microsoft Excel · Communication · Microsoft Office · Data Collection · Environmental Planning · Regulatory Policy · Renewable Energy Policy · Political Science · International Relations

Education

• University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  Master's degree

• San Jose State University

  Master's degree

• The Ohio State University

  Bachelor's degree

Skills

• Data Analysis
• Time Management
• Talent Management
• Strategic Planning
• Vendor Management
• Research
• Microsoft Excel
• Critical Thinking
• Customer Service
• Sales
• Financial Analysis
• Business Development
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Office
• Grant Writing
• Policy
• Tutoring
• Event Planning
• Account Management
• Technical Writing
• Teaching
• Manufacturing
• Business Analysis
• Public Speaking
• Spanish
• Higher Education
• Team Building
• Sales Management
• Government
• Visio
• Curriculum Design
• Human Resources
• Leadership Development
• Statistics
• Navy
• Inventory Management
• Project Management
• Business Strategy
• Healthcare
• Marketing Strategy