Member Testimonials
CELEBRATING OUR MEMBERS
Meet NWSEO Associate Member Joshua Maloy
(September 17, 2021) Please meet our newest NWSEO Associate Member, Joshua Maloy, who was recently promoted to Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit. Joshua served NWSEO as a Steward/Vice Steward for seven years and has supported the work of NWSEO since 2010.
1) Where are you from originally, and what sparked your interest to pursue a career in weather?
I'm originally from New York City and the 'burbs. Growing up, I recall enjoying TV meteorology coverage of some noteworthy weather events, such as Hurricanes Gloria/Hugo/Andrew and the Blizzards of '93/'96. I also had an Earth Science teacher in High School that made predictions of school delays/closures. He was in the ballpark often enough that it piqued my interest to try and do the same. My High School yearbook postscript stated that I wished to be a meteorologist (and historian) upon graduation.
2) What's your experience or history working within the NWS?
I entered the civil service/NWS in December 2008 at WFO Anchorage as a Journey Forecaster. In August 2014, I moved over to the Alaska Aviation Weather Unit as a Lead Forecaster. In August 2021, I was promoted to Warning Coordination Meteorologist of the same office. Prior to NWS, I spent four years as an Aviation Meteorologist in the private sector and prior to that, four years USAF active duty in the weather field.
3) Why did you join NWSEO?
I believe that labor must have a seat at the bargaining table for matters concerning the workplace/workforce. It is a check/balance on management. Paying dues made sense to me and allowed me to engage in bargaining unit representational duties.
4) Would you recommend joining and supporting NWSEO to others?
I believe bargaining unit members should join the union and that managers, especially those promoted from the bargaining unit, should support the union through the associate membership and contributing to the NWSEO PAC fund. It requires sustained resources to parry assaults from executive 'bean counters' and others that preach human capital efficiencies ahead of the mission. The agency is tasked with the immense responsibility to provide weather intelligence to a diverse American population; increasingly vulnerable to hazards and with ever-more demands for weather services. This requires appropriations commensurate with the responsibility. NWSEO is the vehicle to raise awareness directly to those holding the powers of the purse in Congress. I encourage bargaining unit members to help with this fight by joining and supporting NWSEO.
5) What are your hobbies/interests outside of work?
I still somewhat follow the New York Yankees and Buffalo Bills sports teams. I enjoy bowling and exploring genealogy outside of work. The genealogy efforts peripherally fulfill the 'historian' in me.
NWSEO congratulates Joshua Maloy on his promotion and thanks him and all of our Associate Members for their continuing support of our organization.
NWSEO’s Member Spotlight is used to encourage NWSEO Members to get to know each other from across the nation, connect even more, and together, support each other in the work of NWSEO and in strengthening our membership.
Please submit any Member Spotlight suggestions and comments to Christy Fox at mediarelations@nwseo.org.
Thank you, Associate Members
“My background is one of anti-union, having retired from a military career prior to joining the National Weather Service. As a result, I initially stood in the middle, understanding both what senior leadership was trying to do to make NWS more agile and responsive and what NWSEO was doing to protect the people carrying out the day-to-day mission. Over time, though, there were enough actions by leadership that went against the workforce that I moved to the NWSEO side and joined. It is NWSEO's efforts to protect employees that keeps me supporting the union for over ten years and, in retirement.” –Cecilia Miner, NWSEO Associate Member
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Meet NWSEO Lifetime Member Carolyn (Gurney) Willis
(June 21, 2021) Please meet NWSEO Lifetime Member, Carolyn Willis. Carolyn retired after a 40-year career with the NWS, and now resides in Tulsa, OK. She reflects on her time as a member of NWSEO, which began in the mid-80s.
When did you join NWSEO? Describe your active involvement at that time.
I joined NWSEO in the mid-1980s when I worked as a meteorological technician at the Weather Service Office (WSO) in Colorado Springs, CO. Martin Lee was the NWSEO Central Region Chairperson. He encouraged me to be a part of the NWSEO and be one of several members who reviewed Central Region Regional Operations Manual Letters (ROMLs) before they were implemented in the field. I joined to contribute in that way. That evolved into being asked to be the NWSEO representative on many NOAA and NWS teams, such as the NOAA Equal Employment Opportunity Council, the NOAA Persons with Disabilities Subcommittee, and the NWS Diversity Council.
Read full story here: Four Winds Member News June 21, 2021
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Meet NWSEO Lifetime Member Martin Lee
(April 7, 2021) Please meet NWSEO Lifetime Member, Martin Lee of Duluth, MN. Mr. Lee, who retired from WFO Duluth after over 41 years of service, reflects on his time as an active member of NWSEO. He has been a NWSEO member since 1988.
Why did you join NWSEO?
It is an important investment in our careers! I learned early
in my career that NWSEO leaders work hard to respond to
their members’ questions with regards to collective
bargaining, work schedules and supporting our mission at the
NWS. I joined NWSEO to be a part of their effort and support
my fellow colleagues. They were appreciative and we were a
great team.
Read full story here: Four Winds Member News Spotlight April 7, 2021