For this AMS election season, we asked each candidate three questions to help you get to know them better. Here we feature the Councilor candidates from the government sector: Jennifer Call of the Tennessee Valley Authority, Pamela Heinselman of the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, and David McCarren of Axiom Consultants.
Jennifer Call
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
Being part of AMS has been essential to my growth as a meteorologist because it connects me with a community committed to advancing our science. Through short courses, webinars, committee work, and direct collaboration with subject matter experts, I’ve gained knowledge that has shaped my career. As I’ve progressed, I have been given the opportunity to mentor early‑career scientists, which has become one of the most meaningful ways I contribute to our profession.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
My most memorable AMS experience was presenting at the 2013 Annual Meeting on the impact of the April 27, 2011 severe weather outbreak on the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)’s Radiological Emergency Preparedness Program. I expected a small, familiar CCM audience, but the room quickly filled to standing‑room-only because of the widespread interest in the event and its implications for nuclear preparedness. That moment underscored the value of sharing applied meteorological work with a community eager to learn from real‑world challenges.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
I love hiking the nature trails throughout the Tennessee Valley, especially those along the Tennessee River and its tributaries. This year I joined my first BioBlitz at TVA’s Trail of the Year, the Rockpile and Waterfall at Wilson Dam, where 47 participants spent two days exploring local biodiversity, including a night hike with black lights. Together we documented 302 unique species and helped grow the Muscle Shoals BioBlitz project to more than 1,000 species, a powerful reminder of how community science can deepen our understanding of the natural world.
Pam Heinselman
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
My membership in AMS embeds me within a dynamic professional network. Together, our members sustain an organization committed to advancing science, maintaining scientific integrity, and turning research into practical measures that safeguard lives and property. Belonging to a community that nurtures essential professional development across our career paths, offers volunteer avenues, strengthens communal connections, and cultivates enduring friendships serves as a foundation for a purposeful and valuable life in environmental science.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
Co-organizing the 26th AMS Severe Local Storms Conference in Nashville, Tennessee, stands out as a defining moment in my membership. This experience offered an eye-opening perspective on the complexities of event orchestration—from the logistical nuances of selecting venues and timing to the strategic curation of speakers and session leadership. It instilled in me a profound appreciation for the dedication required to host such gatherings, and, more importantly, provided a meaningful platform to ensure that colleagues from all walks of life and professional stages could contribute to our scientific dialogue in impactful ways.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
Hiking is a favorite pastime of mine outside of work. Whether taking walks in local parks or exploring mountains, forests, and beaches during my travels, spending time outdoors is how I rejuvenate. National parks are regular spots for vacations with my husband, such as a recent summer trip to Acadia in Maine. My spirit was truly refilled by letting curiosity guide my exploration, discovering the geology that shapes the starkly colored coastal rocks, and learning about the region’s unique wildlife. I am already looking forward to the next adventure.
David McCarren
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
AMS provides a connection to the science. Through publications and events—there always lies the science behind it. And many of the meetings provide an opportunity to renew connections with prior colleagues from times past. As a U.S. Navy METOC officer, I worked with many others in the navy and other services. And my time working with NOAA/NWS/FAA and others brought connections to many there as well on both the operational and R&D side.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
At an AMS meeting in the Big Easy a few years ago several of us were in the poster session and there were some tables, rounds of eight, off to the side, and we decided to sit down and talk about a few things. As I was getting seated, a couple of others came up and asked if they could sit at the table, too. As they were joining, I realized the guy next to me was in grad school with me in Monterey. It was good to catch up, and we have stayed in touch. It’s always a surprise when events reunite you with old friends. It happens a lot as part of AMS events.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
It was running agility with my Australian Shepherd, Odin. But we lost Odin last fall. Maybe I will do that again with another partner, but for now I’m a biker. No, not on a Harley—on a mountain bike. I like the peaceful quiet and the natural beauty of the forest trails.
