NEW METEOROLOGIST-IN-CHARGE TO MANAGE NOAA’S NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE
FORECAST OFFICE IN BIRMINGHAM

Veteran meteorologist Jim Stefkovich has been appointed meteorologist-in-charge of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Forecast Office in Birmingham, Ala. Stefkovich replaces Ken Graham who was promoted to Scientific Services Division chief at Southern Region Headquarters. The Birmingham office is one of 122 forecast offices in the nation and one of 32 serving the Southern Region.

“A meteorologist-in-charge is the front line officer carrying out the National Weather Service mission of serving the American public by helping protect lives and property,” said retired Air Force Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, director of NOAA's National Weather Service. “We are proud to have Jim Stefkovich serving in this important role.”

Stefkovich launched his career with NOAA’s National Weather Service in 1982 as a student trainee/computer programmer at the National Weather Service Techniques Development Laboratory in Silver Spring, Md. He served as a meteorological observer at the Weather Service Meteorological Observation site in Waycross, Ga., in 1984 and became a forecaster intern at the Weather Service Office in Lake Charles, La., in 1985. Three years later, Stefkovich became a forecaster at the Atlanta, Ga., office. In 1991, he joined Southern Region Headquarters as the Next Generation Weather Radar regional focal point responsible for coordinating its implementation. Stefkovich served as the warning coordination meteorologist at the Weather Forecast Office in Fort Worth, Texas from 1993 to 2000 before being promoted to meteorologist-in-charge of the Weather Forecast Office in Jackson, Miss. Stefkovich spent the last three years serving as meteorologist-in-charge of the Chicago Forecast Office.

“Jim Stefkovich offers a wealth of meteorological expertise and experience in severe weather forecasting as well as considerable skill in building vital service delivery relationships with local communities and our partners,” said Bill Proenza, director, NOAA’s National Weather Service Southern Region. “His leadership abilities will also serve to continue and enhance the fine record established by the outstanding staff in the Birmingham office.”

Stefkovich’s hands-on experience in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Georgia provides him with an excellent perspective on the volatile nature of the weather in the southeast region of the country. That experience will be a considerable asset in providing the citizens served by the Birmingham Forecast Office with the best possible forecast and warning services.

Stefkovich is the recipient of numerous local and regional awards including Office Unit Citations and a Bronze Medal for superior service during hurricane and tornado outbreaks. He has also assisted in national leadership courses for multiple government agencies.

Stefkovich earned a bachelor's degree in meteorology from Pennsylvania State University in 1983. He is a member of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association and has authored and presented several papers at national conferences. Stefkovich has also served on several national NWS teams, including the Service Assessment Team for the deadly April 1998 tornado outbreak in Alabama and Georgia.

Stefkovich lives with his wife Barbara and two daughters.

NOAA’s National Weather Service is the primary source of weather data, forecasts and warnings for the United States and its territories. NOAA’s National Weather Service operates the most advanced weather and flood warning and forecast system in the world, helping to protect lives and property and enhance the national economy.

NOAA, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation’s coastal and marine resources.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service: http://nws.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Weather Service Southern Region: http://www.srh.noaa.gov