Greg MacMaster
Chief Meteorologist

gmacmaster@tv7-4.com

School: Mancelona High School
Hometown: Alden

For more of Greg, visit his personal website at http://www.gregmacmaster.com

Greg grew up in Alden, worked in the family owned business (Alden Lumber) and graduated from Mancelona High School in 1980. He Attended Northwestern Michigan College where he received his pilots certificate and entered the United States Air Force in May of 1981. He received his meteorological training while serving in the United States Air Force receiving his Bachelor Degree (eqv.) with the Community Colleges of the Air Force. During his 10 years of service, he was based in Mt. Home, Idaho as an observer and was sent to Germany as a forecaster in 1987.

Awarded the AMS Seal of Approval.

The Seal of Approval is awarded by the Society to broadcast meteorologists who meet established criteria for scientific competence and effective communication skills in their weather presentations. Sealholders are highly respected among their peers. The general public can have equal confidence in the quality and reliability of weather presentations made by broadcast meteorologists approved by the Society.

Awards:

2001, 2003, 2005 and 2007 Michigan Association of Broadcasters "Best Weathercast" in Broadcast Excellence.

2000, 2004, 2005 and 2006 Michigan Association of Broadcasters "Merit Award " for Weather Broadcast Excellence.

Recipient of the Great Lakes Forest Fire Compact Award for his contribution to the fire industry by issuing accurate forecasts upon demand for fire fighters and actively conveying this high risk of fire danger to our viewers. Helping to reduce the risk of fire and loss of life.

Considered by the Agricultural Community to be the foremost expert in weather forecasting.

While stationed overseas, he issued forecasts for alternate landing sites for the NASA Space Shuttle Mission's return to space in 1988, forecasts for the bombing missions on Lybia in 1986 (Operation Trojan) and Desert Shield and Desert Storm 1990-1991 (Persian Gulf War). Greg is a veteran of Operation "Just Cause", "Operation Trojan" and "Persian Gulf War". After returning to the States, he settled down in Tucson, Az. and finished his military career as a meteorologist and computer programmer - supporting the final stages of Desert Storm by issuing forecasts for the return of personnel.

Greg obtained the highest security clearance (Top Secret, SCI) while serving in the Air Force.

In 1991, Greg returned to his home town (Alden) and started his meteorological career as Staff Meteorologist for WJML Radio and then to the top radio station in northern Michigan, WTCM, in 1995. He was an instructor at Northwestern Michigan College teaching Aviation Weather for 3 years and also worked as a weekend meteorologist at WWTV/WWUP TV 9and10. After 12 months at CBS, he switched gears and now is Chief Meteorologist for WPBN/WTOM TV 7&4 in Traverse City.

Greg does the weather for WTCM/FM, WTCM/AM and WJZQ (The Breeze) in Traverse City, WATZ Alpena,WBCM in Boyne City and WUPS in Houghton Lake, Michigan.

He was the Official Meteorologist for the National Cherry Festival and Elk Rapids Harbor Days Festival. Greg's aviation experience as a licensed pilot, enables him to be the official weather briefer for the Navy Blue Angels Demonstration Flight Team. Greg also briefed Laura Bushs' staff on the severe weather in Michigan while she was on her husband's (George W. Bush) presidential campaign in 2000. Other notable weather customers: Gartner and Grasso Productions (Blockbuster Video and Pepsi Commercials), Actor Wayne Rogers (M.A.S.H.) and Bloodworth/Thomason Production (Evening Shade and Designing Women).

Greg recently provided his forensic expertise for the hit TV series Deep Sea Detectives on the History Channel which aired two shipwrecks in the Great Lakes in March 2006. He now is a consultant for Lonewolf Documentary Group which produces Deep Sea Detectives and NOVA specials.

A first-time book author, Greg published: Environmental Forensics and its Effects on Investigations in 2006. "It takes the meteorologist across the line into a crime scene and how to work with investigators where the elements of weather may be a factor".

He is a full member of the American Meteorological Society and a spokesperson for the FAA on related subjects dealing with weather in the aviation community and is a agricultural and Forensic Meteorologist. Greg's strengths are in Lake Effect Snow, Severe Thunderstorms, Aviation and Tropical Forecasting.

Greg is also the driving force behind one of the most powerful Internet Weather Web sites in the Great Lakes region. Branding exclusive Storm Tracking graphics and detailed weather links, he was able to develop a site which provides the latest information for the viewers and web users. It has become the industry standard for Emergency Managers and anyone else who needs weather information that updates immediately, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

Greg is the Media Representative (going on 10 years) for the U.S. Marine Reserve Toys for Tots - A Non-Profit program that provides Christmas gifts to those less fortunate during the holiday season.

Greg is also Chairman, founder and past president of the Grand Traverse Bay Underwater Preserve (a Not for profit 501(c)3 Corporation. http://www.gtbup.org

Greg is married to Denise (a Nurse and Resident Service Coordinator at Village of Bay Ridge) and their children attend Elk Rapids High School.

Some of Greg's hobbies include: Various Martial Arts, Competition TaeKwonDo, Golf, Hiking, Camping, Boating, Scuba Diving (Ice Dive, Search and Rescue, Deep Water and Wreck), Flying, Baseball, Nascar, Red Wing Hockey and Hunting - Just to name a few.