Dad and me flying to Missouri.

I’m really not writing this section to be self-centered. I thought some people might like to know a little about who is providing them with weather information. To be honest, I am not one of those meteorologists who has been intrigued by weather since he was in diapers. I didn’t stare out of my window in astonishment when storms rolled by, either.  …well, not until I was older.  A tornado came through my hometown of Pontotoc, Mississippi in 2001. (I was in sixth grade.) That event definitely cranked up my curiosity of meteorology.

I suppose my first love lies in aviation. My dad, who is a general aviation pilot, got me interested in flying when I was in junior high. I started flying with him about that time in our two-seat experimental airplane and earned my pilot’s license when I turned 17. Pretty much all I did outside of school was devoted to furthering my knowledge of aviation and, of course, flying! I knew for sure I wanted to be a commercial airline pilot, but after much research, I decided to earn a degree in another field.

While flight planning, training for my instrument rating, and studying for tests, I discovered the weather part of flying was pretty cool. From being in school plays/musicals, narrating at church programs, playing offertories at church, and playing in tennis matches, I knew I liked to be in front of people. Put weather and talking in front of people together…well, that’s a recipe for a broadcast meteorologist!

I grew up in a somewhat small town, so I was looking forward to going somewhere exotic for college. I was a little dismayed to see that the #1 school in the nation for weathermen was Mississippi State—a school an hour and ten minutes from my house! Long story short, I am now extremely thankful for where I attended school. I got involved with the weather department my freshman year and even made friends with several of the seniors.  During my four years there, I made several great friends who are now scattered all across the United States fulfilling their dreams as on-air meteorologists or working in some other sector of meteorology.

I was able to go storm chasing in the Great Plains the summer after my junior year.  Two professors, seven other students, and I traveled over 8,000 miles within two weeks and traversed 10 states.  We saw several tornadoes, Mt. Rushmore, and a 72-ounce steak, to name a few things. Ha.  You can read all about it in my Storm Chasing category.  That experience was a highlight of my time at MSU!

I also won a national championship in forecasting with a few professors and several other Mississippi State students.  Read more.

I love weather and have a passion for it, but I have many interests as well. I have always been that way. Every year it seems like I pick up some new hobby or go somewhere pretty cool.

I love to travel. (I guess that is why I like aviation so much.) I am very blessed to have already been to so many places. I have been to most every state between the Great Plains and the East Coast, made a couple of trips to Hawai’i, been on a cruise to Mexico, traveled around Italy for a week, spent some time in the Netherlands, lived at a university in China…. And I plan to greatly expand that list. I think it’s important to be cultured and well-traveled. Again, I am very thankful I have had the means to do so.

I appreciate the arts. Most people know me to be musical. I have played the piano since I was in third grade, played the violin in a few weddings, and played the drums since I was in first grade. I’ll pretty much play anything I can get my hand on. The voice is a great instrument, too. (Note: This does not mean mine is great!) I do enjoy going to musicals, though, and have seen Wicked on Broadway in New York City. I took art lessons for a few years when I was younger and still like to mess around with it. I also love to write. Being an author was the first thing that I really wanted to be when I grew up, and I still think I may pen a book or two. (As you can see, I can be kind of long-winded when I start typing.)

I also think hobbies are a great thing to pursue. I played soccer for years and years, I play tennis, and I try and run every day. I love photography (I suppose I can put that under my “arts” paragraph) and graphic/web design (though I am very much a novice). When the opportunities arise, I enjoy water and snow skiing. I am also a fan of skydiving and I have my motorcycle license. (Didn’t expect to read that, did you?)

I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I am so thankful that I grew up in a Christian home. I do believe the Bible is true and is from God, and I love telling people about Him. Actually, as a Christian, I am called to do so. At the end of the day, I know God is there and that he and I have a personal relationship. It’s great! I look forward to meeting Him face to face! Shoot me a message if you want to know more.

If you have made it thus far, kudos. I am delighted that you are here visiting, so please leave a comment. I look forward to hearing from you, and I hope to provide you with the best weather information possible!