NEW LEADER SELECTED TO GUIDE HASTINGS WEATHER SERVICE OFFICE

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Weather Service (NWS) has named Michael S. Lewis to head the Hastings, Neb., weather forecast office. Lewis began his new duties as meteorologist in charge May 4, 2003. NOAA is part of the U.S. Department of Commerce.

An 18-year NWS veteran, Lewis has held a variety of forecast and management positions in California, Iowa, Kentucky and Utah. From beginnings as a meteorologist intern at the Los Angeles weather service office in 1985, Lewis worked his way through forecasting positions with increasing responsibility to warning science and operations officer and meteorologist in charge.

“Mike Lewis brings to Hastings a wealth of experience in meteorology that will well serve the people of Nebraska,” NWS Central Region Director Dennis McCarthy said. “I know Mike’s leadership will be an asset to the staff and the community. He will continue to promote the excellent coordination with local governments and the business community as well as supporting public outreach that has been a strong point of the Hastings forecast office.

“During his weather service career, Mike has always had a vision of innovation and improvement of equipment, techniques and services. His past experience bodes well for a bright future at the Hastings office.”

Lewis earned his bachelor’s degree in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma in 1984. Cutting his teeth on forecasting innovation as an intern at the Los Angeles office, Lewis later became a journeyman forecaster at the Salt Lake City weather service office. In 1992, Lewis was selected to be a lead forecaster in the Des Moines, Iowa, NWS forecast office. For the past seven years, he was science and operations officer (SOO) at the Jackson, Ky., weather service office.

“I am really excited about the opportunities that await in Hastings,” Lewis said. “And I look forward to working with the excellent staff at the forecast office. With its frequently-changing weather conditions, Nebraska certainly presents some meteorological challenges. I’m looking forward to becoming part of an outstanding group of professionals who work together to ensure public safety in one of the most active areas of the country.”

The Commerce Department’s National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) 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.

Note: Media interested in scheduling interviews with Mike Lewis may contact the Hastings weather service office by calling (402) 462-2995 after May 4.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA National Weather Service: http://www.nws.noaa.gov