American Astronomical Society Names New Executive Officer

Kevin B. Marvel, a research astronomer who specializes in stellar radio astronomy, has been named executive officer of the American Astronomical Society. He succeeds Robert Milkey, who will retire in July after 11 years of service.

A search committee’s recommendation to select Marvel as head of the society was approved unanimously by the council of the society at a conference-call meeting last December. He will take office on 8 June during the AAS summer meeting in Calgary, Canada.

Marvel, 38, joined the AAS executive office in 1998 as the head of policy programs and subsequently undertook additional responsibility as deputy executive officer and manager of AAS-printed publications. In a recent interview with PHYSICS TODAY, Marvel said his first priority as executive officer of the society will be to continue to seek, sustain, and increase federal funding for astronomical research. The AAS has a well-coordinated grass-roots coalition that springs into action whenever funding is threatened by legislation, Marvel said, and he will work to ensure that the coalition remains strong. Marvel said he also wants to make sure the AAS newsletter continues to inform and advise society members on such issues.

“Sometimes Congress needs to be reminded to support research in astronomy, and that’s what the AAS is here to do,” Marvel said.

Robert Kirshner, AAS president and search committee chair, lauded the committee’s selection of Marvel as the society’s new chief.

“Kevin has been a terrific addition to the AAS Washington office, energizing our public policy work,” said Kirshner in a prepared statement. “He has the energy and drive to make sure the American Astronomical Society succeeds in all parts of its mission. I’m sure he will be an excellent executive officer for the AAS.”

Marvel said continuing to manage the AAS’s five journals is another important aspect of his new post.

“We’re trying to improve them to make it easier for members to submit, easier for readers to use,” he said, “and we’re actively trying to continue decreasing page charges.”

With 5500 US members and 1000 from other countries, the AAS still needs to boost its membership, Marvel said, adding that he will work to build it. Under his direction the society just created a new class of membership that he says will be especially attractive to potential members from outside the US.

Prior to joining the AAS staff, Marvel graduated from the University of Arizona, obtained a PhD at New Mexico State University, and was a postdoctoral researcher under Anneila Sargent at the Owens Valley Radio Observatory of the California Institute of Technology.

Marvel praised the work of his predecessor and said he hopes to follow up on Milkey’s accomplishments.

“Bob Milkey got the society finances in fantastic shape and developed new systems that generated big savings for our members,” Marvel said. “I hope to keep all that in good running order. There’s a good stable foundation.”