Christopher (Chris) O’Connors is the LEO Ground Project Manager. In this role, he is responsible for managing all aspects of developing and sustaining NOAA’s polar satellite ground systems.
Chris began his career as a meteorologist in 1992 and joined the National Weather Service in 1994. He later worked at the National Ice Center providing ice forecasts for the Great Lakes, Arctic, and Antarctic using satellite imagery. In 1997, he transitioned to NOAA’s Office of Satellite and Product Operations (OSPO), where he provided leadership for the Inter-Agency Arctic Buoy Program, which maintained an array of meteorological sensors on the Arctic ice cap. In 2002, he became the Program Manager for the Argos Data Collection System, an international effort between Europe, India, and the United States, to collect environmental data around the world.
In 2008, Chris became Branch Chief of OSPO’s Direct Services Branch, leading the Search and Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking System (SARSAT) program. He went on to serve as Deputy Division Chief for Satellite Products and Services Division (SPSD) and worked with a diverse group of scientists and engineers dedicated to providing world-class satellite products and services to NOAA’s customers. In 2021, Chris joined the Office of Common services as Ground Services Division Chief, where he helped advance NOAA’s Cloud-based ground system efforts. Chris joined the Office of LEO Observations in 2025 to lead efforts to modernize and sustain ground systems that support NOAA’s polar satellite missions.
Chris earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Meteorology from State University of New York at Oneonta. He also holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration with a concentration in environmental policy from George Mason University and a Master’s Certificate in Program Management from George Washington University.