Robert A. Baxter, CCM

Instruction at the AMS short course series

Since the mid-1980s I have been actively involved in quality assurance training for air quality and meteorological measurements. Workshop training was provided to the USEPA on computer based audit software used to calculate and report audit results. Spreadsheet based software was provided along with the training course on the use and modification of the software. Since that time the computer based audit reporting techniques have become standard in the industry. This training originated from an audit contract I managed for the National Park Service.

In the early 1990s I joined the faculty of Meteorological Standards Institute (MSI) to provide workshop training on upper air meteorological measurements. This later evolved into the teaching of air quality as well as surface based meteorological quality assurance. More details on the workshop series can be found on my QA workshop page .

In 1998, a multi-day quality assurance training course was provided to the State of Hawaii Department of Health (DOH) in conjunction with Meteorological Standards Institute. The workshop included meteorology and air quality topics as well as laboratory and data quality issues. Following the course several selected sites were audited and additional training provided. In 2000 a follow-up program for the DOH audited 18 stations as well as the filter weighing laboratory and data processing center. This program provided additional in-field training on QA principles. As a result of the audits and training, the DOH established their own QA program, and since then has been conducting their own audits. For both the 1998 and 2000 programs I was the project manager, and provided training and audit services.

In addition to the on-going workshops conducted with MSI, I have also provided individual training to groups such as the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission (TNRCC) as part of a sodar audit and training program. During this program, audits were conducted on two of their sodars and training provided to their QA staff on the conduct of audits.

Robert A. Baxter, Certified Consulting Meteorologist

Professional Specialties

Quality Assurance Training