June-July 1997 Newsletter

*************** 

National Weather Association
Newsletter
No. 97-6,7                                                                     June-July 1997

Table of Contents

President's Message
Dates to Remember
Meteorologists to stay in CWSUs
Changes at Air Weather Service
Member News
Commerce Department Announces Management Changes At The National Weather Service
NWS Director Joe Friday's message
Dr. Baker's message to NOAA personnel
IN MEMORIAM - Dr. Allan Hunt Murphy
Local Chapter News
Weather Satellite Update
NEW FEATURE -- do's/don'ts list for weathercasters
NWA Annual Meeting Schedule of Broadcaster's Workshops
Job Corner
NWA Publications Available
NWA Annual Meeting Update

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

"Operational meteorologists providing value-added products and services to a diverse customer base."

Summer is normally a time of transition for most people - schools are out, families are on vacation, and some people move to new jobs and locations. This summer, I fit in that latter category. After over three years providing operational weather services to spacelift operations at Cape Canaveral Air Station and Kennedy Space Center, I am now at the Pentagon in the Air Force Directorate of Weather. The three years on the Florida Space Coast were extremely rewarding: our customers needed and appreciated operational meteorological support, the spacelift mission was exciting, and living in a tropical paradise wasn't bad either! Additionally, I had the privilege to actively participate in and help host a very successful NWA Annual Meeting in nearby Cocoa Beach.

Our upcoming Annual Meeting in Reno, Nevada from 19-24 October looks to be every bit as successful. John Jannuzzi and Rusty Billingsley have put together a tremendous program, with the help of John McLaughlin on the Broadcasters' Sunday agenda. Please make your plans now to attend - send your preregistration form to Kevin Lavin and make your reservations at the Hampton Inn at Harrah's Reno. I look forward to many interesting presentations on your value-added support to customers.

Some transitions are much more painful than moving. The current transition for the National Weather Service (see pages 2 and 3) certainly has caused much anxiety for many of our members. Many of you have written, asking that the NWA send a letter to the Secretary of Commerce or NOAA Administrator expressing disagreement with and concern over the removal of Dr. Joe Friday as NWS Director. I understand your concern, as Joe Friday has been, is, and will always be one of my heroes. I can't think of anyone who has done more for the betterment of operational meteorology in the United States throughout my career than Joe Friday. However, sending a letter addressing organizational personnel moves is not the most effective way of expressing our concerns and could compromise our association's credibility.

We do have another alternative - Brigadier General Jack Kelly (USAF, Retired), who is conducting a review of NWS resource requirements for the NOAA Administrator, called me to ask for input from the NWA during the course of his two month review. I intend to meet with him shortly and share your already expressed concerns with him. Additionally, I will ask Gen Kelly to meet with our officers and councilors during a special council meeting on 8-9 September in the D.C. area. Lastly, I am working with John, Rusty and Kevin to have Gen Kelly address the annual meeting on the results of his review, which is scheduled to be completed by late September. Gen Kelly has already indicated his willingness to do so; his potential presentation is another good reason for putting the annual meeting on your calendar as a "must attend!"

Thank you for your active support of our association and its objectives. Keep up the good work and I'll see you in October in Reno. Stay in touch!
- Tom Adang

***

DATES TO REMEMBER

19 September - Deadline for reserving a room at Harrah's Hampton Inn for Annual Meeting. See Annual Meeting Update

10 October - Deadline for preregistering for the Annual Meeting at discount rates. See Annual Meeting Update
.

***

Great News - METEOROLOGISTS TO STAY IN REGIONAL CWSUs

Ron Morgan, Chief of the FAA's Air Traffic Division has informed the National Weather Service that NWS operational meteorologists will continue in the Centralized Weather Support Units, and that the FAA Flight Service EFAS personnel will not replace them at the Centers. The Proof of Concept test scheduled to be held at the Houston ARTCC/CWSU has also been canceled. The NWA through our President's Letter of Concern last year, the NTSB, NWSEO and many other organizations and individuals expressing concern for flight safety no doubt helped this decision to be made. However, with continuing budget discussions in Washington and restructuring within many agencies, the issue is no doubt far from being completely settled. Stay tuned!

***

CHANGES AT AIR WEATHER SERVICE

Colonel Gerry Riley, NWA member, retired from the US Air Force on 8 August 1997. He was the Vice Commander of Air Weather Service (AWS) headquartered at Scott Air Force Base (AFB), IL.

On 12 September, AWS Commander, Colonel Joseph D. Dushan will retire from the US Air Force and Colonel John L. Hayes, NWA Councilor, will assume command. He is presently the Commander of Air Force Global Weather Center (AFGWC) at Offutt AFB in Omaha, Nebraska. From 12 September to 15 October, Colonel Hayes will command both AWS and AFGWC.

On 15 October 1997, the Air Force will combine the Air Weather Service Headquarters and the Air Force Global Weather Center to form the Air Force Weather Agency (AFWA) at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. This consolidation is expected to reduce management overhead and improve efficiencies in a continuing period of military downsizing resulting from changes in missions and to meet congressional directives. The move of AWS Headquarters people from Scott to the new organization at Offutt will gradually occur over the 1998 fiscal year. Colonel Jack Hayes will become the first commander of the AFWA.

This action complements the on-going move of the Air Force Combat Climatology Center (formerly USAFETAC) from Scott AFB, IL to Asheville, NC to consolidate with the USAF operating location already there and to collocate with the NOAA/NESDIS National Climatic Data Center.

***

MEMBER NEWS

WELCOME to two new corporate members!!

- The National Weather Station, Inc. Of 90 Moonachie Ave., Teterboro, NJ 07608. Daniel Ventola is the President. The company provides consulting and specialized forecasting services to clients.

- South African Weather Bureau, Privatebag X097, Pretoria, 0001, South Africa. Karin Marais is the NWA point of contact at library@cirrus.sawb.gov.za. Their home page is at http://cirrus.sawb.gov.za

Corporate member, Lockheed Martin Ocean, Radar and Sensor Systems has a new address: P.O. Box 4840, EP5-104 MD04, Syracuse, NY 13221-4840. Point of contact, Salvatore LeMole, a past-president of the NWA, is a program manager for Weather Systems and Air Traffic Control.

Jimmie Smith has joined Alden Electronics, Inc. as Vice President for Marketing & Sales, 40 Washington Street, P.O. Box 500, Westborough, MA 01581-0500.

***

NWA Newsletter (ISSN 0271-1044)
Co-Editors: Larry Burch and Eli Jacks
Publisher: Kevin Lavin, Executive Director
Published monthly by the National Weather Association,
6704 Wolke Court, Montgomery, Alabama 36116-2134.
Tel/FAX: (334) 213-0388
E-mail: NatWeaAsoc@aol.com
Home page: http://www.nwas.org

Submit newsletter items directly to: Editor NWA Newsletter, Eli Jacks, NOAA/NWS W/OM21, 1325 East West Hwy Room 13125, Silver Spring MD 20910; e-mail: Elliott.Jacks@noaa.gov or to: Larry Burch, NOAA/NWSFO, 2242 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City UT 84116; e-mail: Larry.Burch@noaa.gov. Material received by the 5th will be considered for that month's issue.

Members receive the monthly NWA Newsletter and quarterly National Weather Digest as part of their regular, student or corporate membership privileges. Contact the NWA for membership information. Newsletter subscriptions are available at $18.00 per year plus extra shipping costs outside USA. Single copies are $1.50.

***
The unprecedented Press Release -

COMMERCE DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES MANAGEMENT CHANGES AT THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE

Washington D.C. 25 June 1997 - The Department of Commerce announced today a series of actions involving the National Weather Service (NWS) designed to ensure the sound fiscal management required to operate a modernized weather service.

"I have been working with the National Weather Service to find the best way to continue to deliver essential weather services while recognizing that the public expects government agencies to reduce their costs," said Dr. D. James Baker, Undersecretary of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), in announcing today's actions. "Over the last several months, however, we have received conflicting information from the NWS on how best to do this. The actions we're announcing today address these concerns."

Specifically, the Department will:

* Appoint an outside special advisor on weather services to Undersecretary Baker. The special advisor, assisted by expert consultants, will conduct a rigorous evaluation of the NWS budget and operations and will report within 60 days.

* Reassign the Director of the National Weather Service and appoint an acting director.

* Defer closing of the NWS Southern Region Headquarters until this review is completed.

* Seek authority from Congress for FY 1997 to reallocate existing funds within the NOAA budget in order to eliminate any doubt about the ability of the NWS to continue the modernization efforts scheduled for this year.

The personnel changes will be effective 27 June. Dr. Robert Winokur, currently Director of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) at NOAA will be the Acting Director of the Weather Service, replacing Director Dr. Joe Friday, who will be assigned to other duties within NOAA.

"Joe Friday has a long and distinguished career with the Weather Service, and we're particularly grateful for his contribution as an architect of the weather modernization program," said Commerce Secretary William M. Daley. "We are hopeful Joe will continue to work with us at NOAA where his experience will continue to be a valuable asset."

Jack Kelly, Brigadier General, USAF (Ret.) has agreed to step in to serve as a special advisor on weather services. As the former director of the U.S. Air Force Air Weather Service, Gen. Kelly is superbly qualified to lead this review of the National Weather Service budget and operations. At the Air Weather Service, Gen. Kelly oversaw a 5,000-person global weather and space support operation, restructured the organization, and led the DOD's role in the merger of military and civilian polar weather satellite programs.

"Gen. Kelly brings more than thirty years of experience in the field of weather service and management and a reputation of excellence in the profession," Daley said. "We look forward to working with him."

"General Kelly will be able to consult with distinguished experts who have generously agreed to provide their assistance as we undertake this rigorous review of our weather operations and budget. I am proud to be able to work with them."

The following consultants, among others to be appointed, will assist Gen. Kelly:

- Dr. Craig Dorman, former Navy Rear Admiral for Anti-Submarine Warfare and former Director of the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, and

- Dr. Mary Good, former Undersecretary of Commerce for Technology and former Chair, National Science Board.

"We feel we've assembled extraordinary individuals in Gen. Kelly, Drs. Good and Dorman, and I am enormously grateful they have agreed to assist us with their invaluable experience and expertise," Daley said.

"The Department will invest $4.5 billion in the modernization of the Weather Service by 1999," Daley said. "We are committed to this program remaining on schedule and seek the best way to take advantage of this investment in the interest of the American people. I believe this is a goal shared by both the Administration and the Congress."
- US Dept of Commerce News

***

Director Joe Friday followed with a message -

To All NWS Employees,

As you probably know by now, Yesterday afternoon, I was informed by Dr. D. James Baker, NOAA Administrator, that Secretary of Commerce Daley had directed him to remove me as Director of the NWS because of issues associated with the budget shortfalls for the NWS. I have not yet had the opportunity to speak with Secretary Daley, so I can comment no further on that.

God has blessed me with a wonderful opportunity to serve in the NWS, from September 1981 to March 1988 as your Deputy and from March 1988 to June 1997 as your Director. The NWS is a unique organization within the Federal Government with a mission dedication that is unexcelled by any other. Each of you are committed to the science and service that protects the American public every day. I am extremely proud of what you have been able to accomplish as we have moved the Weather Service forward. I am confident that you will continue in ensuring that we have the best weather service in the world.

My only regret as I leave the position of Director is that I was unable to articulate effectively the budgetary requirements for a sustained, healthy weather service. I pray that my successor is better able to do that.

May God bless each and every one of you.

Joe

***

Dr. Baker followed to NOAA personnel with -

As a follow up to the recent e-mail you received from me transmitting Secretary Daley's memo on National Weather Service Update, I am pleased to announce that on June 30, Dr. Elbert W. "Joe" Friday accepted my offer to assume the position of Assistant Administrator for Oceanic and Atmospheric Research [OAR].

Dr. Friday relieves Acting Assistant Administrator Dr. Alan R. Thomas, who has resumed his position as Deputy Assistant Administrator. I want to extend my special appreciation and gratitude to Alan for his outstanding service as Acting Assistant Administrator. This is not the first time he has served as Acting, and he has always done so with commitment and dedication.

Dr. Friday is recognized internationally as a major force for advances in modern weather forecasting and nationally for the modernization of the National Weather Service. He brings impressive credentials to the position of Assistant Administrator for OAR.

Please join me in welcoming Joe to his new position. I look forward to working with him as he starts this new challenge.

***

IN MEMORIAM

Dr. Allan Hunt Murphy (1931 - 1997), a charter member of the NWA and NWA Councilor (1993-94), died of prostrate cancer at his home in Corvallis, Oregon on Tuesday, 5 August 1997.

He was born in Cambridge, Mass., to Ethan Allen Murphy and Mina Dorothea Hunt. He grew up in Lincoln, Mass., and graduated from the Belmont Hill School. He studied at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and earned a bachelor's degree in meteorology in 1954. From 1955-58, he served in the U.S. Army Signal Corps at Ft. Huachuca, Ariz. In 1958, he entered graduate school at the University of Michigan, where he earned a master's degree in meteorology, a master's degree in statistics and a doctorate in atmospheric science. On 20 August 1960, he married Rochelle Mary Mokriski in Enfield, Conn.

Allan was professor emeritus of atmospheric science at Oregon State University and a certified consulting meteorologist. He was president of his company, Prediction and Evaluation Systems. A Fellow of the American Meteorological Society, he received awards for his professional service and outstanding research in statistical meteorology. Before OSU, he worked at the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Boulder, Colo., the University of Michigan and Travelers Research Center in Hartford, Conn. He also held visiting appointments in the United States, Europe and Asia. His publications include over 150 scientific papers and four books. He is survived by his wife, Shelly of Corvallis; brothers, Dana Winthrop Murphy of El Centro, Calif., and Stephen Evans Murphy of North Andover, Mass.; sons, Kenneth Ethan Murphy of Miami, Fla., Christopher Hunt Murphy of Boise, Idaho, and Peter Julian Murphy of Durham, N.C.; and daughter, Andrea Murphy Chaney of Dallas, Texas. Memorial contributions may be made in his name to Benton Hospice, Greenbelt Land Trust or Survival Association in Budapest Hungary (a program and school for handicapped children) in care of DeMoss-Durdan Garden Chapel, 815 N.W. Buchanan Ave., Corvallis, OR 97330.
- Thanks to Fred Decker for forwarding the obituary from the Corvallis Gazette-Times.

***

LOCAL CHAPTER NEWS

About 65 members and guests attended the 22 May 1997 Central Oklahoma NWA Chapter meeting held at Sarkeys Energy Center on the campus of the University of Oklahoma in Norman. Following a social period, President Kit Wagner welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. Secretary Rodger Brown gave a second reading of proposed amendments to the constitution that were recommended by the Executive Committee. The amendments were approved by voice vote. The President announced that the Nominating Committee, consisting of Don Burgess (Chair), Kelvin Droegemeier and Jeff Kimpel, had prepared a slate of officers for 1997-98. Jeff Kimpel read the slate: President - Dr. Kit Wagner (Atmospheric Information Systems); Vice President - Dr. Kelvin Droegemeier (University of Oklahoma); Secretary - Harold "Jim" Keeney (WSR-88D Operational Support Facility); and Treasurer - Charlie Crisp (National Severe Storms Laboratory). The slate was elected unanimously.

Treasurer Charlie Crisp announced plans for a three-day celebration of the 50th anniversary of the first tornado forecast that was made at Tinker Air Force Base on 25 March 1948. The Anniversary Committee proposes that the chapter sponsor a one-day symposium on tornado forecasting and handle the marketing of logo products.

For this meeting's Organizational Highlight, Vice President Fred Carr introduced Dr. Ken Crawford, Director of the Oklahoma Climatological Survey (OCS) and a past-president of the NWA. Dr. Crawford provided an overview of the operations of the OCS, with emphasis on the highly visible Oklahoma Mesonet. The OCS has a program of service, educational outreach and research. It is much larger than the typical state climatological survey with a staff of 27 full-time employees and 20 students.

The evening's program featured Tom Grazulis, of The Tornado Project, who discussed his past activities and future plans as a "tornado entrepreneur". Though he has a degree in meteorology, he spent a number of years outside meteorology, including 14 years as a high school science teacher, before his interest in tornadoes led him in the early 1970s to develop a unique niche for himself in the field of meteorology. The work that led him back into meteorology was the development of a tornado data base and associated tornado risk analysis funded by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Science Foundation. His subsequent work with tornado films, videos, posters, books, etc. has permitted him to make a living while satisfying his needs as a researcher and educator. His tornado-related plans include preparation of a unified data base for U. S. and Canadian tornadoes, preparation of a listing of all reported tornadoes on the Web, and preparation of a CD of significant tornadoes - with associated weather maps. Tom also has developed an interest in hurricanes and plans to write a book on North American hurricanes from 1492 through 1999. Though the market for tornado videos is waning, he foresees the time when he will be revising his series of classic tornado videos.
- Rodger A. Brown, Secretary

About 20 members attended the 24 June 1997 Central Oklahoma NWA Chapter meeting at the National Severe Storms Laboratory (NSSL) in Norman. Following a social period, President Kit Wagner welcomed everyone and called the meeting to order. The President reminded everyone that a celebration is being planned for the 50th anniversary of the first tornado forecast that was made at nearby Tinker Air Force Base on 25 March 1948. Chapter committees are being established to market anniversary merchandise and to plan a symposium on tornado forecasting that will be held on 24 March 1998.

For this meeting's Organizational Highlight, Vice President Fred Carr introduced Dr. Peter Lamb, Director of the Cooperative Institute for Mesoscale Meteorological Studies (CIMMS), who provided a brief overview of CIMMS. CIMMS was established in 1982 as a cooperative venture between the University of Oklahoma and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Initially the NOAA component was NSSL, but NOAA involvement was increased in 1995 to include the Storm Prediction Center, WSR-88D Operational Support Facility and the Oklahoma City National Weather Service Forecast Office. CIMMS has five program areas: (1) basic convective and mesoscale research, (2) forecast improvements, (3) climatic effects of/controls on mesoscale processes, (4) socioeconomic effects of mesoscale weather systems and regional scale climate variations, and (5) Doppler weather radar research and development.

The Vice President then introduced Dr. Michael Douglas of NSSL who discussed his experiences setting up pibal networks for special field experiments in Mexico and other Latin American countries. The initial motivation for these activities was to explain variability of precipitation in the southwestern U.S. and northwestern Mexico as part of NSSL's Southwest Area Monsoon Project (SWAMP) in the early 1990's. He recently returned from establishing pibal and rawinsonde networks in Mexico, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Columbia, Ecuador, and Peru for a 1997 Pan American Climate Studies program that is attempting to explain the variability of rainfall over Central America during the rainy season. A video was shown that highlighted some of the logistical difficulties in setting up and operating observing sites during field programs in Latin America.
- Rodger A. Brown, Secretary

High Plains NWA and AMS Chapter announces the 1st ANNUAL HIGH PLAINS CONFERENCE hosted by the NWS Office in Dodge City, Kansas from 15-17 September 1997. Conference Theme: National Weather Service Modernization Issues. The keynote speaker opening the main conference on Tuesday, 16 September will be Dr. Charles A. Doswell III of NSSL. Guest speaker, Dr. Eric Rasmussen will discuss Project Vortex to start off the afternoon session. Presentations on severe weather, use of the Internet and new technologies are scheduled. At the end of the conference, there will be an open round table discussion on NWS Modernization Issues and Experiences. For more information, contact Jim Johnson, chapter President, at the NWS Office, Dodge City Kansas, (316) 227-7140; Jim.Johnson@noaa.gov

***

WEATHER SATELLITE UPDATE

Committee responsibilities broadened. At last year's Annual Meeting, the NWA Council voted to expand the charter of the Satellite Meteorology Committee to include a broader complement of technologies. Thus the Committee has been renamed the Remote Sensing Committee and will include NEXRAD, profiler, GPS, etc. Members are needed with expertise in these sensors. If you are interested, please contact the Committee Chair.

Status of GOES 10. Launched into orbit in April, GOES 10 has experienced three solar array anomalies. Engineers of the Solar Array "Tiger Team" have been studying the problem and trying to recreate the anomalies on the ground. The satellite was flipped 180 degrees on 31 July and is now inverted, flying in the normal on-orbit mode with the solar array running in the reverse run mode. The satellite will remain in this configuration for further evaluation. When GOES 10 is placed in operation, the imagery will be received upside-down and inverted with the ground processing system. The first GOES-10 visible images in the new inverted on-orbit mode were taken on 8 August. A visible full disk was taken beginning at roughly 1800Z, scanning the image from south to north. The image was displayed on the Product Monitor at the Wallops CDA, and was reported to be excellent. Infrared images are expected to be tested later in August.

DMSP 14 Launched. The 47th Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) spacecraft and the 14th of the Block D series was launched on 4 April and is fully operational. It was the first DMSP to be launched on a Titan II booster, a refurbished ICBM.

NOAA 11 to become Primary Sounding Satellite. Problems with the sounder on NOAA 12 have been increasing through the spring and early summer and are impacting sounding retrievals. A decision has been made to switch to NOAA 11 for operational soundings; this is expected to occur on 21 August.

New Satellite Interpretation Book. A new publication, An Introduction to Satellite Image Interpretation is now available. Written by Eric D. Conway, a guest teacher at NOAA/NESDIS under the Maryland Space Grant Consortium program, this book covers the basics of remote sensing, satellite types, basics of image interpretation, and meteorological and oceanographic applications. The 241 page book includes numerous black and white images and a CD-ROM of imagery. It is available in paperback or hardback for $29.95 and $65.00 respectively plus $3.00 postage from The John Hopkins University Press, 2715 North Charles Street, Baltimore, MD 21218.
- Frances C. Holt, fholt@nesdis.noaa.gov
Remote Sensing Committee Chairperson

***

NEW FEATURE - do's/don'ts list for weathercasters

(Ed. Student weathercasters often ask the NWA office for lists of do's/don'ts - please help us build one. Alan Sealls helped with the first episode in the last Newsletter. We thank Dr. Jim Moore, NWA Vice President, for offering information here for all weather briefers.)

My pet peeve is when people point to a map and say, "the low is over here." Ugh! Know or find out the geographic names of the states, cities or regions that you need to describe the position and movement of synoptic features or significant weather events.

Also, most people don't know the Canadian Provinces. Here is a trick - from West to East then Northwest (roughly) - Be A Smart Meteorologist Or Quit NOW NOW NOW NOW.

B - British Columbia
A - Alberta
S - Saskatchewan
M - Manitoba
O - Ontario
Q - Quebec
N - New Brunswick
N - Nova Scotia
N - Newfoundland
N - Northwest Territories

Did I leave one or two out?

Anticipate the needs of the listeners and the kinds of questions they want answers to. Know your material. Have a plan; write an outline of what you intend to say.

Prepare the visual aids (graphics) so that they can be easily seen and read by the audience. Use analysis or highlighting techniques that emphasize the features you plan to discuss. Test all visuals ahead of time, if possible.

Speak and act confidently. You know your material thoroughly, surely better than your listeners, so you have no reason to fear them.

Have a closing line ready - often the toughest thing is ending gracefully.

***

NWA ANNUAL MEETING SCHEDULE of BROADCASTERS' WORKSHOPS

Find detailed information on the NWA Annual Meeting Agenda Page

The full NWA 1997 Annual Meeting schedule will be in the next Newsletter.

***

JOB CORNER

(Ed: The NWA lists job openings free from equal opportunity employers for the benefit of members. See http://www.nwas.org or call the NWA office at (334) 213-0388 for possible short notice listings.)

STRATEGIC WEATHER SERVICES (SWS) Opportunities for challenging career in Palm Springs, California with one of America's oldest weather forecasting companies, with offices in Palm Springs, California; Valley Forge, Pennsylvania; and Omaha, Nebraska. At least five (5) years of practical experience required in Synoptic Meteorology or Weather Forecasting. Computer knowledge required. One new position will emphasize forecasting for European clients and thus experience in that area will be heavily considered. Office hours in Palm Springs are generally 8 AM to 5 PM, Monday through Friday with no shift work involved. A great work environment and many company benefits. Please fax resume to (760) 325-9678 or call Bill Young at (760) 325-9677.

Alden Electronics, Inc., a worldwide leader in weather information systems and services for more than 50 years, is seeking a highly-motivated and experienced sales person. If you are an ambitious sales visionary and are able to generate business-to-business sales, you will thrive in our challenging environment. We currently have an opportunity for an Account Representative in our office in Westborough, MA. The ideal candidate will have a 4-year degree and a minimum of 5 years successful outside sales experience. To qualify, you must possess excellent sales skills, outstanding oral and written communication abilities, highly-developed interpersonal skills, and the ability to work in a fast-paced environment. Direct experience and understanding of weather information and systems preferred. Some travel required. Must have successful track record in targeting and