It is an honor and pleasure to stand as a candidate for president of the AMS. Having served in various roles in this Society, I have known many of those who have held the presidency over the years. It is humbling to even imagine potentially following in their footsteps. Several of those past leaders are friends, and I remain thankful for their counsel and for the things accomplished during their terms serving the Society.

When I became a member of the AMS, it felt like an association of weather people. But now the Society has become the scientific instrument of knowledge for the weather, water, and climate enterprise, encompassing the entire hydrologic cycle. BAMS and the AMS journals - spanning every aspect of that cycle - are exceptional, thanks to the efforts of our members who voluntarily provide their expertise. It is an effort that benefits the entire globe, and as such it is an effort we must continue.

Also apparent to me is the importance of the AMS itself. I am actively involved in international organizations such as the European Meteorological Society, and the International Forum of the French society Météo et Climat. I have taken part in committee meetings of the WMO. I have observed the respect the rest of the world has for the AMS. It is something about which we, as members, can be proud.

The challenge is to keep our membership engaged. Budgets aren’t what they were; funding is not as it has been. I believe the biggest issue facing the Society is financial. We must work to continue our legacy of worldwide prominence in a time of shrinking monetary resources. We must keep costs under control, so our members can afford to continue memberships, certifications, and attendance at our outstanding conferences and annual meetings.

Jay Trobec is Chief Meteorologist at KELOLAND Media Group in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, the station where he has worked for almost forty years. He is a past AMS Commissioner of Professional Affairs (2010-2016) and is the chair of the Dublin-based International Association of Broadcast Meteorology.

Jay’s formal credentials include the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) and Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) designations from the American Meteorological Society, and National Weather Association Broadcast Seal of Approval. His diplomas are from St. John’s University (B.A.), Mississippi State University (M.A.), and South Dakota State University (Ph.D. in Atmospheric, Environmental, and Water Resources). Jay has also taught physical climatology and meteorology at SDSU and has testified about weather communication before the Commerce Committee of the U.S. Senate.
Jay has been interviewed about weather by over a dozen national and international television networks and has given oral presentations at more than thirty national and international weather conferences.

He has been named Broadcaster of the Year by the National Weather Association (2001) and has received numerous Emmy Awards as a Weather Anchor from the Upper Midwest Chapter of the National Television Academy. 
Jay was elected a Fellow of the AMS in 2014.