The Project Manager's
Corner: A New Leader for the National Optical Astronomy Observatory
March/April 2008
 TMT's own David Silva, our Observatory Scientist, has been
named as the next Director of the US National Optical Astronomy
Observatory. The AURA announcement is attached).
This is great recognition of what we already know; that David
is a star and a leader in astronomy. Now he will lead the US's
national observatory and take on an important role in assuring
the success of the US astronomy enterprise.
It is a sign of the great team that we have in TMT that, now
and then, one of the team members is recognized and charged
to take on even greater responsibilities. David has made great
contributions to TMT. He has worked closely with the SAC to
bring to fruition our Detailed Science Case. He has worked with
our stakeholders and authored the vision for TMT operations.
David has defined an initial architecture for our observatory
software. He has been an ambassador and spokesperson with other
observatories in the US, Europe and Chile. He has been one of
our voices in Chile. He has helped a physicist like me by being
our house astronomer. His eloquent writing has filled many foundation
document pages including the Detailed
Science Case and the Operations
Concept Document, and he has been a clear voice in discussing
the vision for TMT.
We will still have much to do with David as we work hard to
make TMT the leading US public/private optical/infrared observatory
in the future and to support the NSF and NOAO in charting the
course ahead. We will still have the pleasure to work with him.
Join me in thanking David for his leadership in TMT and in
wishing him success in his new responsibilities. Congratulations
Dave!
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