I grew up in small-town Kansas, just a mile off the Oklahoma border. Needless to say, I am no stranger to severe weather and have a pure dis-like for the Sooners (something I believe I can share with all of Texas)!!! But don't confuse me with a KU fan, I was brought up right and have K-State blood.

After a decade of fearing severe weather, I began having a fascination for it and developed a strong curiosity, that at times, caused me to act foolishly. A good lesson to learn: if you don't have the right knowledge, don't go driving in severe weather after storms because it can have very serious consequences! SAFETY FIRST!!!

I went to school at Emporia State University and double-majored in public relations and earth science. I then went to Mississippi State University for my Master's Degree in broadcast meteorology. Living in the deep south helped to prepare me for the heat and humidity known well throughout East Texas.

On a personal note, I am married to a wonderful and beautiful woman and although we do not have children yet, we do have a very spoiled red-eared slider turtle. Which is funny, because as an avid fishermen I used to hate these very same turtles when I was out on the water.

I look forward to serving East Texas, am excited about getting to be back in Tornado Alley (something only a weather-geek would say), and love that I live in a state so well-known for its fishing!