Donald E. Colton

1969

B.S. in Meteorology from the University of Utah

1973

Ph.D. in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of Washington (Numerical Weather Prediction)

1977

While an employee of the National Weather Service, developed the initial ALERT Flood Warning Software on Data General minicomputers and implemented it in Monterey County after the Marble Cone Fire in Big Sur.

1980

Received the Department of Commerce Silver Medal for developing the initial ALERT Flood Warning Software

1984

Co-founded International Hydrologic Services (IHS), which was the first company offering commercial software for the ALERT market. The company was later absorbed by Sierra-Misco, Inc. While an employee of IHS, co-developed the Enhanced ALERT and DataCommand software suites.

1990

Received Smithsonian Award for developing / implementing the Passaic Flood Warning System.

1993

Became Vice President of Sierra-Misco of Virginia, Inc., in charge of Research and Development
Received "Software Pioneer Award" from the ALERT Users Group.

1997

Founded DEC DataSystems and began developing the DataWise software suite.

2007

Received "Outstanding Service Award" from the National Hydrologic Warning Council.