Southern Region Director Bill Proenza (Center) poses with (L - R) Corpus Christi SOO Alex Tardy, New Orleans MIC Ken Graham, Shreveport WCM Keith Stellman and SMG Lead Forecaster Tim Garner at 35th annual NWA meeting in Tucson, Ariz. (Photo: Bernard Meisner, NWS-SRH)
(Oct. 8, 2010) - National Weather Service Southern Region meteorologists were honored with one group and four individual awards at 35th annual National Weather Association meeting in Tucson, Ariz. The 2010 award recipients included:
The New Orleans/Baton Rouge Weather Forecast Office which received the Operational Achievement Group Award for outstanding support to federal, state and local organizations responding to the Deepwater Horizon accident, including forecasts of wind and waves for burn and oil recovery missions and aviation and marine containment operations.
Spaceflight Meteorology Group Lead Forecaster Tim Garner was honored with the Operational Achievement Individual Award for demonstrating superior analysis and forecasting skills leading to the safe landing of Space Shuttle Endeavor during extremely challenging weather conditions in March, 2008.
Fort Worth Meteorologist Jason Dunn and Corpus Christi Warning Coordination Meteorologist John Metz received the Public Education Award for their work in developing the Official Texas Hurricane Guide to help residents along the entire Gulf Coast of Texas prepare for and respond to hurricane threats.
Shreveport Warning Coordination Meteorologist Keith Stellman is the recipient of the NWA's coveted Larry R. Johnson Special Award for his work to improve National Weather Service operations through innovative ideas and the use of new technologies to enhance operational meteorology.
"It gives me great pleasure to add my personal congratulations to these award recipients," said Bill Proenza, regional director of the National Weather Service Southern Region. "Their expertise, leadership and dedication exemplify the type of employees who helped make the National Weather Service a leading agency in the preservation of American lives and property."
The National Weather Association began its annual awards program in 1977 to provide deserved recognition to those individuals involved in operational activities and to promote excellence in operational meteorology and related activities. The Annual Awards Program recognizes professionals as well as volunteers, with the emphasis on people who perform the day-to-day tasks of providing meteorological information and support services to the public.
