NRAO eNews
October 2008 • Vol. 1, Iss. 5
- The Expansion of Supernova Remnant G21.5–0.9: Is PSR J1833–1034 the Youngest Pulsar?
- Discovery of a Small Group Driving the Evolution of an Edge-On Spiral Galaxy
- Cosmic Rays and the Magnetic Field in the Nearby Starburst Galaxy NGC 253
- Neutral Hydrogen Clouds in the M81/M82 Group
- ALMA Project Progress
- North American ALMA Science Center
- The ALMA Spectral Line Catalog
- The Birth and Feedback of Massive Stars, Within and Beyond the Galaxy: The NAASC Science Workshop for 2008
- Current Status
- VLA Configuration Schedule, Proposals, and Scheduling
- VLBA and HSA Proposals and Scheduling
- Global cm VLBI Proposals
- VLA and EVLA Spectral Line Observations Below 1200 MHz
- Status of Observing with the Transition Array
- VLBA Sensitivity Upgrade Project
- First 3mm Science Observations with the GBT and MUSTANG Call for Proposals
- The GBT Dynamic Scheduling System Update
- Progress on the Ka-Band Focal Plane Array for the GBT
- Opportunities for University-Led Technical Development Projects in Green Bank
- New NRAO Website Debuts
- The NRAO at the American Astronomical Society and American Association for the Advancement of Science Meetings
- Call for GBT Shared-Risk MUSTANG Proposals
- Large Proposals to Use NRAO Telescopes
- Chris Carilli Appointed Observatory Chief Scientist
- Eleventh Synthesis Imaging Workshop
- 2008 Grote Reber Medal Awarded to Sandy Weinreb
- NRAO Participates in the BEYA Conference
- NRAO Business Managers Meet in Chile
- NRAO Library News
- Past Issues
- Contact the Editor
- Subscribe
- More Information
NRAO Newsletter • April 2008 • Issue 115
NRAO Business Managers Meet in Chile
Last January, the annual National Radio Astronomy Observatory Business Managers’ Meeting (BMM) took place in Santiago, Chile, the first time this event has been held outside the United States. As always, this meeting encouraged extensive discussion of the latest NRAO business issues, including budgets, personnel, and site updates. It was also the first major opportunity for many of our business managers to acquire a direct appreciation of what is involved in operating in Chile. This BMM was also an occasion to strengthen the NRAO professional bonds across the equator in the spirit of “One Observatory”.
The primary focus for this year’s meeting was the ALMA Construction Project and ALMA Operations. The BMM gave each attendee the perfect chance to see on-site the results of their hard work and also to become more aware of the project’s complexities. Most of the business and administrative staff had their first opportunity to visit Chile, including the Joint ALMA Observatory (JAO), European Southern Observatory (ESO), and the ALMA sites. Topics covered at this BMM included: Administration; Fiscal; Management Information Systems; Environment, Safety and Security; Human Resources; Procurement; and Contracts. Also, after visiting the ALMA site, attendees were briefed regarding local issues including ALMA Operations, NRAO/AUI Executive support, hiring, human resources, payroll support, and roles and responsibilities within ALMA. The attending staff gained a much improved understanding of ALMA Construction and Operations, especially with regard to infrastructure and logistics, as well as the complexities associated with running a multi-national Executive team with geographically dispersed office locations. The BMM attendees also gained an improved perspective on the role of the NRAO Chile business office’s duties and responsibilities for ALMA Construction and ALMA Operations.
NRAO Business Managers at the ALMA Operations Support Facility site (OSF) in Chile with a VertexRSI antenna.
The meeting outlined the “shared” business process approach of providing support in Fiscal, Procurement, Contracts, Accounts Payable, and other areas. These shared systems provide services in a cost-effective, efficient manner. Overall, the impression the NRAO participants brought home was that the Chile Business Office is doing a very good job and displays a strong, customer-focused approach. Finally, but no less importantly, this meeting was a great opportunity for the complete NRAO U.S. business team to become local promoters of the ALMA Project and to experience directly the living conditions future expatriates will experience when moving to Chile, and in particular to Santiago, a modern town with high cosmopolitan living standards, including access to excellent educational, medical, and IT services.
G. H. Clark and S. Cabezón
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