(Oct. 25, 2011) - Veteran National Weather Service Hydrologist Kent Frantz has been honored as the recipient of the David Tinker Smith Award. Presented by Southern Region Director Bill Proenza at the regional headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, the award recognized Frantz for his outstanding contributions to the hydrologic services mission of the National Weather Service.

"During the last three decades, Kent Frantz has amassed a long, enviable list of outstanding contributions supporting the National Weather Service mission of saving lives," said Proenza. "His dedication, achievements and leadership made him an excellent choice for the David Tinker Smith Award."

Frantz launched his National Weather Service career as a meteorological technician at the forecast office in Louisville, Ky. in 1978. He also served the forecast offices in Savannah and Atlanta, Ga. before joining the Southeast River Forecast Center as a hydrometeorological analysis and support forecaster in 1999. In 2005, Frantz accepted his current position of senior service hydrologist at the Atlanta forecast office.

Some achievement highlights include:

• Coordinating the first-ever NWS/USGS/Emergency Management meeting which led to the strategic placement of new stream gages in flood prone areas in the Atlanta hydrologic service area.
• Leading the way to establishing the first high water mark sign in Georgia
• Organizing and managing FEMA Flood Fight Courses for Georgia emergency managers
• Developing a high water staff-gage program to help officials provide high water stage readings during extreme flood events
• Conducting comprehensive training for Atlanta forecast office staff on Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System hydrologic tools
• Working with USGS to prevent stream gage closures through creative funding solutions

The award is named in memory of David Tinker Smith, a highly respected hydrologist who served the National Weather Service from the mid-1960s until his death in 2000. He made important contributions to the agency's hydrologic mission; and was well known for his strong work ethic, passion for hydrology and commitment to improving hydrologic services.

Smith implemented one of the first computer hydrologic models on a local computer, led the staff in computerizing all of the West Gulf River Forecast Center programs and procedures; and was instrumental in developing an operational hydrologic training program for the National Weather Service.

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