Mitch West is currently serving as the Executive Coordinator for the National Environmental Information Exchange Network . In that capacity, he advises the Exchange Network Leadership Council and the Network Operations Board on Network, and oversees the activities related to design, implementation and operation of the Exchange Network. Mitch has been involved in the creation and growth of the Exchange Network from its inception in 1999. From 1994 to 2007, Mitch worked at the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality as a budget manager and later as an information systems manager. While working for the State of Oregon, Mitch participated in the Information Management Workgroup, a States/USEPA partnership focused on improving the quality, accessibility, and use of environmental data for decision-making. As a part of that effort, he contributed to the creation of an Environmental Data Standards Council and helped draft the blueprint for the National Environmental Information Exchange Network. Mitch was the first state co-chair of the Network Operations Board, tasked with directing implementation of the Exchange Network and overseeing Data Standards development. Prior to DEQ, Mitch completed a 22-year career with the United States Coast Guard, retiring as a Lieutenant Commander in 1994. While in the Coast Guard, he obtained his information systems background with a master’s degree in business from the University of Maryland. He guided an effort to bring efficiency to Coast Guard missions by using technology to reduce ship crew sizes. As a part of that effort, he participated in the development of international standards for electronic nautical charts and chart displays.