AccuWeather Founder Myers Honored as American Meteorological Society Fellow

Penn State trustee and AccuWeather.com founder Joel N. Myers was honored this week in Seattle, where his election as an American Meteorological Society fellow was formally announced.

The announcement was made at the AMS’ 91st annual meeting, held at the Washington State Convention Center, according to a news release.

Each year, just two tenths of one percent of AMS members are named fellows, according to the organization. It counts more than 14,000 members overall.

An earlier report about Myers’ achievement and background is posted below. He lives in State College.

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Earlier report, posted @ 2:39 p.m. Nov. 9, 2010:

AccuWeather.com founder and President Joel N. Myers has been elected a fellow of The American Meteorological Society, a rare distinction that recognizes significant work in meteorology.

The award, announced Tuesday, is granted to just two-tenths of one percent of the AMS membership each year. The AMS counts more than 14,000 members.

Honorees are recognized for ‘outstanding contributions to the atmospheric or related oceanic or hydrologic sciences, or their applications, during a substantial period of years,’ AMS Executive Director Keith Seitter said in a news release.

‘Dr. Myers is a pioneer in our field, and I am very pleased to see his election to fellow,’ Seitter said in the news release. ‘ … Dr. Myers continues to be a leader who is committed to the advancement of our field.’

Myers, of State College, was a Penn State graduate student in meteorology when he founded AccuWeather in 1962. Since then, the State College-based company has grown to become a preeminent, global source of weather information for the news media, government entities, the private sector and individuals. It employs nearly 400 people, including 113 meteorologists.

A former Penn State faculty member, Myers also has remained active at the university as a longtime trustee.

‘I am honored to be elected as a fellow of the AMS,’ Myers said in a statement. ‘Weather and weather forecasting have been my passions since I was very young. The need for accurate and timely weather information through all media platforms is felt by government, business and consumers alike. It is personally satisfying knowing that AccuWeather meets this need every day.’

A formal announcement about Myers’ election as a fellow is expected to be made on Jan. 23 in Seattle, where the AMS will hold its annual meeting.