Dr. Dixon Butler, the Founder and President of YLACES, serves as a consultant to a diverse range of organizations, including government agencies, non-profits, foundations, and corporations, offering his extensive knowledge in various science-related fields. His areas of expertise encompass science and information system management, satellite mission planning, STEM and environmental education, budget and appropriations, remote sensing, energy, environmental, nuclear, science, and space policy. Born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, Dixon pursued his education at Harvard (AB ’71, AM, ’71) and Rice University (MS, ’74; PhD, ’75). His research initially focused on atmospheric photochemical modeling, starting with planetary ionospheres and later shifting to the study of stratospheric ozone depletion. During his tenure at NASA, Dixon transitioned from research to becoming a science program manager. Notably, he served as the American Physical Society Congressional Science Fellow in 1979-80. His contributions at NASA included managing stratospheric and solar-terrestrial research, leading the planning of the Earth Observing System (EOS), and heading a division responsible for all NASA Earth science mission data systems, operations, and the development of EOS Data and Information System. In 1996, Dixon became part of the leadership team of the GLOBE Program, an initiative championed by Vice President Al Gore to advance international K-12 environmental science education. Over the years, he took on roles such as Chief Scientist, Deputy Director, and Director within the program. From 2003 to 2008, Butler worked with the Democratic staff of the House Committee on Appropriations, serving as clerk of the Energy and Water Subcommittee and later focusing on the Commerce, Justice, Science Subcommittee, overseeing the appropriations accounts of NASA and NSF. He retired from federal service in January 2011 and shifted his career to consulting, with a primary emphasis on NASA and its ongoing operation of GLOBE. Beyond his professional achievements, Dr. Butler is a family man, married with four grown children and three grandchildren. He also assumes the role of President at the Virginia Environmental Endowment and chairs its Board of Directors. He is actively involved in his church and provides support for his wife's various engagements in the theater and arts communities of Washington, DC.

Scope and Content Note
June 25, 2009: Dr. Dixon discusses his journey and experiences in the field of Earth science. He covers his transition from particle physics to atmospheric physics, his research on the ionospheres of Mars, Jupiter, and Venus, his experiences at Rice University and NASA, his involvement in studying ozone depletion, his career progression in government agencies, the reorganization of NASA's Office of Space Science and Applications, the formation of the Solar Terrestrial Theory Program and the Environmental Observations Program, the development of the Earth Observing System (EOS), and the importance of water and upwelling in Earth science.

March 26, 2010: Dr. Dixon Butler discusses his involvement in the planning and development of the Earth Observing System (EOS) at NASA. The interview covers topics such as the formation of working groups and instrument groups, international collaboration, challenges and delays faced, instrument selection process, cost constraints, and the impact of leadership changes.

June 3, 2010: This interview with Dr. Dixon Butler covers various topics related to the Earth Observing System (EOS), leadership, collaboration, racial tensions, NASA reorganization, the importance of data standards, international cooperation, and inquiry-based science education. The interviewee also discusses their role in advocating for energy policy and climate change adaptation decisions at the local level.