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 private sector: Heidi Centola of IBM-The Weather Company, Tim Hall of The Aerospace Corporation, and Daniel Rothenberg of Brightband.
Heidi Centola
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
Being a member of AMS has been an integral part of my personal growth and career journey. AMS offers a forum that brings all sectors of the enterprise together, which has provided many opportunities to grow as a leader, mentor others, and contribute to the advancement of our enterprise. I value being part of a community that brings together passionate scientists and industry professionals dedicated to making a positive impact through science, innovation, and service. Through AMS, I have been able to build meaningful relationships, give back to the community, and help shape the future of the atmospheric sciences while supporting efforts that benefit society.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
My most memorable AMS experience is ongoing, as it’s not just one moment but a series of moments and events. It has been an honor and privilege to have opportunities to learn, and lead alongside dedicated professionals and students who are passionate about making a difference. While it’s difficult to choose just one experience, what stands out most are the people I’ve met through volunteering and being part of this incredible Society. So many individuals have influenced my career, shaped my leadership journey, and helped me become the person I am today. Through mentoring, collaboration, and lifelong friendships, AMS has provided opportunities that extend far beyond professional growth. The relationships I’ve built and the impact we’ve made together are what make my AMS experience truly meaningful and memorable.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
One of my favorite activities outside of work is to volunteer at Friends for Life Animal Rescue as a dog adoption counselor. It is very meaningful to be part of a special connection between humans and our little furry friends!
Tim Hall
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
AMS enriches my life. The time and energy I have invested in the organization over the years have returned countless, unexpected benefits. By participating in AMS activities, I have cultivated long-term friendships and fruitful partnerships, accelerated my professional development, and given back to the meteorological community.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
The pinnacle of my AMS experiences was co-presenting a poster in the AI Conference at the 100th AMS Annual Meeting in Boston with my son, Kenneth Hall. The poster was based on our collaboration to develop and a prototype AI/ML-based method to predict seasonal hurricane occurrence in the Atlantic basin.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
I have been called the “singing weatherman.” I enjoy arranging, recording, and mixing a cappella vocal projects in my home studio.
Daniel Rothenberg
Why is being a member of AMS important to you?
Being a member of the AMS connects me with a community of like-minded individuals who all share a passion for understanding our natural environment. These connections have created tremendous opportunities for both professional and personal growth, and I owe much of my career to friends and colleagues in the community. But more importantly, as members of the AMS we share an ethos that values service to the broader society—and we can achieve so much more when we work together compared to when we try alone.
What has been your most memorable experience as an AMS member?
My most memorable experience as an AMS member was participating in the Science Policy Colloquium as a graduate student. I previously had some experience in this arena through the MIT Science Policy Initiative, but the total immersion that the Colloquium afforded me made me much more deeply appreciate the people and institutions that make up this world. It galvanized within me the idea that I could really participate in this world regardless of where my career might take me, and it directly connected me with an enthusiastic community of my peers that felt similarly.
What is one of your favorite activities outside of work?
I’m a classically trained violinist and have been playing for over 25 years. I still enjoy playing and performing with ensembles in the Boulder and Denver area, including the Flatirons Community Orchestra, where I serve as concertmaster. Rehearsal is a family affair; my wife also plays violin in the ensemble (we met as stand partners for a reading of Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony in Boston), and our daughter joins us, enthusiastically conducting or singing to the music as we practice!
