BUFFALO, N.Y. -
Professional Experience
- Meteorologist on the
Number One-rated News 4 newscasts at 5, 6 and 11.
- Originally joined News 4 team
August, 1984, returned in 1991
- Meteorologist WGRZ-TV, Buffalo
(1988 - 1991)
- Chief Meteorologist WBEN-AM,
Buffalo (December 1990 - 1994)
- Meteorologist WJYE-FM, Buffalo
(1988-1990)
- Meteorologist/Science Editor
WJBK-TV, Detroit (June 1979 - August 1984)
- WFLA-TV, Tampa, Florida
(July 1978 - June 1979)
- KAKE-TV, Wichita, Kansas
(July 1976 - July 1978)
- WVII-TV, Bangor, Maine
(March 1976 - July 1976)
- Science writer and radio
features reporter/producer for the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency's Office of Public Affairs, concentrating
on matters concerning environmental sciences, public health,
and regulatory challenges.
Awards/Recognition
Education
- Bachelor of Science degree in
Meteorology, minor in Political Science, Rutgers
University,
- Continuing Education:
AMS/National Weather Service short courses (15) completed in
the interpretation of Doppler radar data, satellite
meteorology, severe weather forecasting, flooding events, and
completion of the NWS COMET training modules at the NWS in
Buffalo on Doppler radar applications, heavy precipitation,
and winter weather forecasting techniques.
Military
- Completed Army ROTC program
while at Rutgers.
- Served as 1st lieutenant at
the U.S. Army Infantry School, Fort Benning, GA.
- Retired from USAR at rank of
Captain.
Hobbies and Interests
- Interested in contemporary big
band jazz, American popular standards, Frank Sinatra, and
orchestral arrangements (he can't read a note!)
- Wrote jokes ("on the side")
for New York radio personality Ted Brown (of WNEW-AM) for 9
years.
- Twice considered for a staff
writing position for "The Tonight Show starring Johnny
Carson" by the show's Head Writer, and was "personally passed
over" by Johnny, himself. (Don's proudest
"non-accomplshment.")
Family
- Has two daughters, Leah and
Leslie
Favorite Books and Movies
- Can't name a single favorite
book, but "Plan Nine From Outer Space" still ranks as his
favorite movie (if he sees it no more than once every 5
years.)
What I Like About Buffalo
- "It sounds hokey, but among
the things I like best about Buffalo is the weather, and that
INCLUDES lake effect snow! I love the relative ease of
getting around (compared to the NYC area where I grew up),
the choices for entertainment and eating, the warmth of the
people, and the surrounding countryside. I never knew I would
settle down here when I arrived in 1984, but Buffalo is home
now."
Born and Raised
- Don was born in Jersey City,
and raised in Hudson County, NJ, adjacent to Manhattan. "I'm
one of the few people from Hudson County never indicted by a
Federal Grand Jury," Don brags. That is his other favorite
non-accomplishment.