Awards Winners

NWA 45th Annual Meeting

Award Winners

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Operational Achievement Individual Award

This award is presented to a person who has made a significant contribution to operational meteorology (e.g., an accurate and timely forecast for one or more significant weather events or for long-period achievement).

Award Winner: Samuel H. Coleman (NWS CAE)

For heroic achievement through issuing nine Tornado Warnings in three hours during the April 13, 2020 Tornado Outbreak which directly saved at least 25 lives.


Operational Achievement Group Award

This award is presented to a group of two or more individuals for a significant contribution to operational meteorology.

Award Winner: David Rudack (NWS/MDL/Statistical Modeling Branch)

For improving the accuracy and consistency of forecasts across the weather enterprise via free access to the groundbreaking National Blend of Models.


The Larry R. Johnson Special Award

This award is presented to an individual or a group to recognize unique events or extraordinary accomplishments, which significantly contributed to operational meteorology.

Award Winner: Alex DeSmet and the Idaho Pathfinder Group

For working strategically to improve collaboration between partners, seeking to reduce weather's impact on surface transportation for public safety.


Walter J. Bennett Public Service Award

This award is presented to an individual or organization directly assisting the meteorological community in providing weather-related information to the public. Individuals and organizations in the meteorological profession are ineligible for this award.

Award Winner: Michael Wilhelm (Posthumous)

For his decades of dedicated service as a storm spotter, his determination to improve the warning process by providing critical weather information to the meteorological community, and his genuine love of weather and sense of caring for people that saved lives in his home state of Alabama.


Public Education Award

This award is presented to an individual or organization providing significant contributions to increase the public's weather awareness.

Award Winner: NWS Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Riverton, Wyoming, Outreach Team

For Outstanding Severe Weather Safety and Public Education Efforts involving the Wyoming Weather Ready Nation Weather School Project in Central and Western Wyoming


Local Chapter Award

This award is presented to a Local Chapter of the NWA whose activities have significantly increased awareness of the weather and of the NWA in their local area.

Award Winner: University of Oklahoma Student Chapter of the American Meteorological Society and National Weather Association (OU SCAN)

For their devotion to increasing weather awareness in the local community and beyond with an emphasis on inclusivity and diversity


The Special Lifetime Achievement Award

Award Winner: Elliot Abrams

For his pioneering weather radio broadcasts and his significant and truly outstanding contributions to operational meteorology sciences for more than 50 years.


Special Achievement Award

Award Winner: Weather Forecast Office - Shreveport, LA

Outstanding Warning and Decision Support During COVID-19


Special Achievement Award

Award Winner: Dr. Kandis Y. Boyd, PMP

For a lifetime of extraordinary leadership and accomplishment in developing and implementing awareness campaigns and broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented individuals in Meteorology. Dr. Boyd has dedicated her 25-year career to mentoring, leading, and broadening participation of traditionally underrepresented individuals in Meteorology. She has developed awareness campaigns, such as Turn Around Don't Drown (TADD), which is currently used by both operational meteorologists and broadcast meteorologists to inform and educate about the dangers of driving into flooded roadways. Dr. Boyd speaks to college students regularly, and has presented at numerous STEM events and career fairs, to promote science, technology, diversity, and inclusion. To date, Dr. Boyd has mentored over 20 NOAA employees, 30 college students, and presented to over 2000 elementary and middle school students. It is without reservation that I recommend Dr. Kandis Boyd, PMP for this esteemed honor.


Special Appreciation Award

Award Winner: Joby Smith (Bay County, FL Emergency Management Division)

For extraordinary efforts providing life-saving information and alerts to the residents of Bay County before, during and after the catastrophic Hurricane Michael.


Special Appreciation Award

Award Winner: Tim Brice (NWS El Paso) and the National School Outreach Team

Tim Brice (NWS El Paso) and the National School Outreach Team have provided hundreds of presentations to countless thousands of school-aged K-12 students across the United States and also internationally (United Kingdom, Mexico, Argentina, and Japan). 


Member of the Year Award

Award Winner: Morgan Barry

For her tireless leadership and hard work in 2020, not just for leading the NWA Social Media Committee, but for spearheading awareness campaigns such as #SafePlaceSelfie, #WhyINWA, and Hurricane Awareness Week.

Platinum Sponsor:

Gold:

Silver:

 

Supporting Women in Meteorology Event Sponsor:

 

Platinum, gold, silver, and other sponsorship opportunities are available.
For questions, please contact the NWA Office: nwahelp@nwas.org