NWS/NOAA Sciences & Opportunities
Weather & Environmental Hazards –
The Challenges of Awareness, Research, and Education in NJ
Friday, November 14, 2008
Gary Conte has worked as a Meteorologist for the National Weather Service (NWS) since 1979, for almost 29 years. Since 1993, he has held the position of Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the NWS Upton NY Office at Brookhaven National Lab on Long Island. Gary leads and manages the local warning and service programs for more than 18 million people. This includes advance notifications to and coordination with key customers and partners of potential high impact events that require preparation to save lives, protect property and enhance the national economy. As the local NWS Customer Service Representative, Gary is the “main” contact for Outreach. He also serves as a liaison to the local media and works forecast shifts.
Ray Kruzdlo became a member of the WFO (Weather Forecast Office) Mount Holly staff in the spring of 2001. Ray grew up in New Jersey and graduated Cum Laude from Kean University in 1993. Before joining the National Weather Service, Ray worked as a meteorologist for several media outlets including the NBC and FOX affiliates in New York City, as well as NBC's Today Show. Ray also spent time forecasting for Universal Weather and Aviation, a private firm specializing in corporate aviation travel. Before arriving in Mount Holly, Ray spent seven years in the National Weather Service’s Western Region as an operational forecaster at the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento Valley offices located in California. Ray currently serves as the Senior Service Hydrologist in Mount Holly, a position he undertook this past winter. Rounding out his experience with the National Weather Service, Ray has also served as a program office manager for the Severe Weather, Fire Weather and Verification programs.
Joe Miketta is the Warning Coordination Meteorologist at the National Weather Service Forecast Office (WFO) in Mount Holly, NJ. In this capacity he works with emergency managers in New Jersey, Delaware, eastern Maryland, and eastern Pennsylvania, ensuring NWS products and services from WFO Mount Holly meet their needs and expectations. Prior assignments with the National Weather Service include forecasting positions in Washington DC, Princeton NJ, Tucson AZ, Harrisburg PA, and State College PA. Joe earned two academic degrees: a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Penn State, and a Master of Science degree in Hydrology and Water Resources Administration from the University of Arizona.