About Me
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I grew up in a small farming community in the middle of Pennsylvania about two hours north of Harrisburg called Jersey Shore, where I worked on the family farm through high school and was a member of 4-H. I was always obsessed with weather, mainly because I wanted to know if snow storms were going to get us out of school. I also cultivated a love of maps, becoming interested in orienteering and placing first in the state at the Pennsylvania State 4-H Achievement Days for Orienteering in 2001.
I took my two interests to Penn State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a minor in Geographic Information Systems thanks to an introductory course in computer mapping. After graduating, I worked part time as a weather producer for a local television station and then moved into the private sector as a marine meteorologist based in Houston.
While forecasting remains a passion, I wanted to be able to pivot and combine both my educational backgrounds. So I enrolled at Penn State again in 2011, earning a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems in 2011 and a Master of Geographic Information Systems Degree in 2014. I moved to Washington, DC shortly after graduation to work as an image analyst and programmer for the National Ice Center, a government group dedicated to monitoring ice and snow patterns and forecasting these patterns.
I am a member of the Penn State Alumni Association at the local and national level and in the Association of American Geographers.
I took my two interests to Penn State University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a minor in Geographic Information Systems thanks to an introductory course in computer mapping. After graduating, I worked part time as a weather producer for a local television station and then moved into the private sector as a marine meteorologist based in Houston.
While forecasting remains a passion, I wanted to be able to pivot and combine both my educational backgrounds. So I enrolled at Penn State again in 2011, earning a Postbaccalaureate Certificate in Geographic Information Systems in 2011 and a Master of Geographic Information Systems Degree in 2014. I moved to Washington, DC shortly after graduation to work as an image analyst and programmer for the National Ice Center, a government group dedicated to monitoring ice and snow patterns and forecasting these patterns.
I am a member of the Penn State Alumni Association at the local and national level and in the Association of American Geographers.
Outside of Work
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I am a big geek and have followed computer technology since my parents got us our first computer, an old IBM AT with an 8088 processor. My current interests in computing has shifted to mobile computing and web programming. I follow technology news from the broadcasting team at TWiT.tv and highly recommend their news and commentary on the technology industry.
Having grown up in the shadows of State College and going to school at Penn State, I have always been an avid Penn State fan. One of my favorite memories was being with my grandfather and my uncles for the Penn State/Ohio State football game in 1994 and I was hooked. GO STATE!
In high school, I had a secondary interest in music. I played Saxophone and marched in marching band and participated in concert and jazz band along with choir. I still enjoy listening to and playing music. I have been learning how to play piano, although I am not that great at it yet. I hope to be able to join a community band in the near future as a saxophonist.
One of my more recent passions is becoming a better runner. I began that journey with one of my close friends by setting a goal to complete at least one 5K race a month in 2014. I achieved that goal by running in 9 5Ks, 1 8K, and 2 10Ks that year. Following up that goal, I joined DC Front Runners, a running club based in Washington, DC that serves the LGBT community and their friends. The group has helped me achieve several goals, including breaking several personal bests and completing my first half marathon, the NYC Half in 2015.
Having grown up in the shadows of State College and going to school at Penn State, I have always been an avid Penn State fan. One of my favorite memories was being with my grandfather and my uncles for the Penn State/Ohio State football game in 1994 and I was hooked. GO STATE!
In high school, I had a secondary interest in music. I played Saxophone and marched in marching band and participated in concert and jazz band along with choir. I still enjoy listening to and playing music. I have been learning how to play piano, although I am not that great at it yet. I hope to be able to join a community band in the near future as a saxophonist.
One of my more recent passions is becoming a better runner. I began that journey with one of my close friends by setting a goal to complete at least one 5K race a month in 2014. I achieved that goal by running in 9 5Ks, 1 8K, and 2 10Ks that year. Following up that goal, I joined DC Front Runners, a running club based in Washington, DC that serves the LGBT community and their friends. The group has helped me achieve several goals, including breaking several personal bests and completing my first half marathon, the NYC Half in 2015.