Who was the best Director of the NHC?

[jasons2k]

OK, so who would you say was/is the best Director of the NHC?

[OtherHD]

Wasn't John Hope the director a long time ago?

[jasons2k]

Wasn't John Hope the director a long time ago?

No. I've done a lot of research to come up with the list. There are some inconsistencies out there since the NHC (or precursor to it) was at one time part of the Miami Weather Bureau, then NWS office. I found one site that said the NHC was est. in 1955 but the standard date of inception is 1965. Starting with Dunn the "lineage" is much easier to follow.

Also, this tidbit from NWS Jackson, MS helps to clarify:
"On April 23, 1998 Jerry D. Jarrell became the sixth director of the National Weather Service's Tropical Prediction Center-National Hurricane Center in Miami, Florida"

[SouthernWx]

Wasn't John Hope the director a long time ago?

No, John was a highly respected veteran hurricane specialist at the National Hurricane Center, but was never NHC director.

[jasons2k]

Thanks for voting guys, I was curious about your thoughts.

My vote was for Dr. Frank. Longevity always gives a head-start IMO. But looking at the strides he made to increase public awareness, along with the committment to advancing technology, but still having the "Old School" persona, I think puts him at the top.

I think Mayfield is doing an excellent job there as well.

But IMO the most important thing to remember is that all of them have given so much to the forecasting community, they all deserve nothing but our utmost respect for their service and dedication to saving lives.

[EDR1222]

Thanks for voting guys, I was curious about your thoughts.

My vote was for Dr. Frank. Longevity always gives a head-start IMO. But looking at the strides he made to increase public awareness, along with the committment to advancing technology, but still having the "Old School" persona, I think puts him at the top.

I think Mayfield is doing an excellent job there as well.

But IMO the most important thing to remember is that all of them have given so much to the forecasting community, they all deserve nothing but our utmost respect for their service and dedication to saving lives.

I agree. All of them are deserving, but I remember Dr. Neil Frank really worked hard at increasing awareness and understanding of hurricanes, and he did it during an era when there was not as much activity as there is now.

[caribepr]

Thanks for voting guys, I was curious about your thoughts.

My vote was for Dr. Frank. Longevity always gives a head-start IMO. But looking at the strides he made to increase public awareness, along with the committment to advancing technology, but still having the "Old School" persona, I think puts him at the top.

I think Mayfield is doing an excellent job there as well.

But IMO the most important thing to remember is that all of them have given so much to the forecasting community, they all deserve nothing but our utmost respect for their service and dedication to saving lives.

Bravo! I voted for Neil Frank mainly because when I was young he was the one we looked to...and had that wonderful persona as you say...(plus, it was the last time in my life I had television on a regular basis to get to *know* a director in that way).
But I agree...it's a tremendously difficult job without a lot of thanks overall given the parameters of the unknown and the consequences of taking on the highest job in weather forecasting, for good or bad, and most often, it's the bad that gets the loudest response. If WE get this riled up over weather hitting our area of self interest, think of what the director lives with...for months, over years.

[Guest]

I don't se Joe Bastordi on there,.......LOL

[wxwatcher91]

Dr Bob Sheets ... Mayfield is in second...

[Hurricaneman]

Bob Sheets is the best

[mike815]

john hope he will always be the best in my mind. i admire him greatly

[WeatherEmperor]

Even if John Hope was never the director at NHC he will always and forever be the legend of hurricane meteorology in my eyes.

<RICKY>

[Josephine96]

Bob Sheets with Neil Frank a distant 2nd..

I loved the way Dr. Bob explained everything and he was probably a guy you wouldn't mind having discussions with. Very informative as well as very smart and intelligent about storms

[beachbum_al]

I was going to say John Hope but then I find out that he wasn't a director of the NHC. I could swore he was but I was wrong. So I will have to go with Bob Sheets.

[NCHurricane]

Bob Sheets. He just seemed like "Uncle Bob" and he would deliver information that way. IMHO.

Dr. Mayfield is doing a fine job. With the past few seasons, and now this one, I don't envy his position at all!

[vbhoutex]

I think Dr. Neil was the best. And now we are/have been priveleged to have him as an OCM here in Houston since he left the NHC. He is the one I turn to when there are active storms, because no matter what he tells it like it is. In fact I am watchin ghim right now.

[dixiebreeze]

I'm still a Bob Sheets fan.

[wxmann_91]

I'm going to go with Bob Sheets even though I was still in the crib when he was the NHC director, heard about him a lot of times. Max Mayfield would be a close second, though he was a cracked voice (not bashing him, just pointing that out ).

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

1# Dr. Neil franks.
2# Bob sheets.

[jimbo]

I don't se Joe Bastordi on there,.......LOL

Is that a vote?

Bob Sheets has mine.