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Bailey Appointed Director of Commerce's NIST Boulder Labs

Zelda Chapman Bailey, a career government employee who has held increasingly responsible positions with the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Park Service, has been appointed director of the Boulder Laboratories of the Commerce Department's National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Bailey will begin her new duties on May 5, 2003.

Bailey formerly was the interim director of the National Cave and Karst Research Institute in the National Park Service. She began her career in 1977 as a hydrogeologist with U.S. Geological Survey in Indiana and later worked in Tennessee. Bailey then served as assistant district chief for operations for the USGS in the Caribbean District, and moved to Colorado as associate district chief for hydrologic studies. She also completed extended assignments as acting district chief for Colorado and Wyoming.

Bailey has a degree in geology from Indiana University and is a Certified Ground Water Professional, a Certified Professional Geologist in Indiana, and a Registered Professional Geologist in Tennessee. She has served for several years on boards of directors for the American Water Resources Association - Colorado Section and the Greater Denver Area Gem and Mineral Council.

As director of the Boulder Labs, Bailey is the senior site manager and oversees the facilities and technical infrastructure for NIST Boulder's 400 scientists, engineers, technicians and support staff. She also leads the public outreach associated with NIST Boulder's technical program and is responsible for interactions with the community and the other Commerce agencies on-site.

As a non-regulatory agency of the Commerce Department's Technology Administration, NIST works to develop and promote measurement, standards and technology to enhance productivity, facilitate trade, and improve the quality of life.

Released April 7, 2003, Updated January 12, 2023