Houston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society

Houston Chapter

of the

American Meteorological Society

November 2007

KTRK – ABC13 Studio Tour

Tim Heller, Chief Meteorologist

Thursday 06 December

Lunch – 11:30am – Fuddruckers, SW Freeway

Meeting – 12:15pm – ABC 13 KTRK

Like many meteorologists, Tim Heller's fascination with weather started at a young age when a tornado touched down just a few miles from his home.

Before moving to Houston, Tim led the weather department at KDFW-TV in Dallas. He also worked at KGAN-TV in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, KRCG-TV in Jefferson City, Missouri, KDUB-TV in Dubuque, Iowa and WIFR-TV in Rockford, Illinois.

His coverage of weather over the past 20 years has earned him several awards including two Emmy Awards, and multiple Best Weathercast awards from the Houston Press Club, the Dallas Press Club and the Texas Associated Press. His weathercasts have also earned the Seal of Approval from the American Meteorological Society and the National Weather Association.

He is a graduate of the Broadcast Meteorology Program at Mississippi State University, and he has a BA in Communications from Clarke College in Dubuque, Iowa.

Notes from the President –

We’ve got an exciting meeting planned for the first week of December. Tim Heller of KTRK ABC 13 has offered to give us a tour of the News 13 studios and weather center. Included in the tour, Heller will discuss:

The science behind MegaDoppler 13
Their new interactive on-air weather system
Their exclusive FutureTrack computer model

This meeting will be at lunch so make sure you have the time right. We’ll meet at Fuddrucker’s Restaurant at 11:30am for a quick bite to eat. The manager has reserved the back room for us until 12:10pm. At 12:15pm we’ll meet with Tim for the tour and talk. Things will wrap up at 1:00pm and you can head back to work.

*IMPORTANT NOTE*

For competitive reasons, fellow members of the television media are NOT ALLOWED to attend this meeting. KPRC, KHOU, FOX26, AND THE WB will have to sit this one out.

Don’t forget if you haven’t paid your dues you can bring your $10.00 to the meeting.

The AMS convention is in New Orleans in January of 2008. If you are planning on attending and would like to represent our local chapter at the National Chapter Breakfast please let me know. You’ll have the opportunity to hear what other chapters around the country are doing and can even share what’s happening in Houston. You can reach me at ayanez@kprc.com.

Have a great time with Tim and I’ll see you in January.

Anthony Yanez

AMS Houston Chapter President

Inside This Issue
1	Notes from the President
1	Meeting Information
2	Maps & Directions
2	Membership Information
3	Calendar of Events/Contact Information

Membership Information

The Houston Chapter boasts of one of the most diverse memberships in the country. Due to our location we have meteorologists and scientists working for many different types of industry, government, private and media. These people are involved in forecasting and monitoring weather world-wide, right from Houston.

In addition, we welcome everyone and anyone who is interested in weather and weather-related topics.

Our dues are only $10 per year. Funds are used to pay for dinner and thank you gifts for our speakers, and provide awards for the winners of the Houston AMS Special Awards at the Science and Engineering Fair of Houston held each spring.

If you’d like to become a member, please fill out the form below with your most recent information, include $10 cash or check and turn it into any officer. If you prefer, you can mail the form and money to our Treasurer. Please see the address below. Checks should be made out to: Houston Chapter of the American Meteorological Society

Mail to:

Brian Planz

c/o Wilkens Weather Technologies, Inc.

2925 Briar Park Drive, 7th Floor

Houston, TX 77042

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Maps & Directions

Fuddrucker’s Restaurant

3929 Southwest Freeway, Houston

(713) 621-8222

KTRK – ABC13 Studios

3310 Bissonnet St.

(713) 666-0713

Chapter Website National Website

www.amshouston.net www.ametsoc.org

Contact Information

President – Anthony Yanez

Ph: 713-778-8950

Email:AYanez@kprc.com

Vice President – Patrick Blood

Ph: 281-337-5074 (Ext:304)

email: pgblood@yahoo.com

Secretary – Dorri Breher

Ph: 713-947-5798

email: dorri_breher@yahoo.com

Treasurer – Brian Planz

Ph: 713-430-7400

email: penst8wx@houston.rr.com

Or e-mail the Local Chapter: houstonams@houston.rr.com