Assistant to the Director of Meteorological Studies
Gary Lessor, Assistant to the Director of Meteorological Studies, came to Western Connecticut State University in 1989 to participate in a coop program from Central Connecticut State University with Dr Melvin Goldstein, the founder of the WestConn Weather Center. Upon completion of the program he was offered a position of meteorologist. After several years in the position he took over as the Assistant to the Director of Meteorological Studies and has often served in the capacity of Acting Director in the absence of an official director. Mr. Lessor attended Central Connecticut State University in New Britain, Connecticut where he received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Earth Science with a concentration in meteorology and psychology in 1990. While studying at C.C.S.U. Mr. Lessor received in student membership in the American Meteorological Society and upon graduation became a full member to which he remains today.
Mr Lessor has been the chief meteorologist since 1996, with the duties of preparing daily forecasts for the center's numerous newspaper and utilty clients, afternoon on-air forecaster for radio stations 800AM WLAD in Danbury and 1220 WQUN in Hamden, preparing forensic reports for attorneys, as well as providing expert court testimony. Gary is under contract with the State Attorney Generals Office to provide meteorological services. He has also been responsible for the hiring and training of the mostly student staff through the years, as well as implementing technological upgrades which now include all-new sleek and powerful Apple computers with 24 inch monitors for use in preparation of the clients newspaper weather pages.
Mr Lessor is the advisor for the WestConn Meteorology Club which went to the American Meteorological Society Conference in Seattle in January and is now planning to go to the next AMS Conference in New Orleans in January 2012. Mr Lessor is also the organizer for the fourth Tri-State Weather Conference which will be held at WCSU on Saturday October 15, 2012. Please call or email him for further information.
Mr Lessor who enjoys seeing younger students involved in meteorology, launched the Bridges Meteorology Program during the Fall of 2009 with Danbury and Bethel middle schools. Fourteen students per semester have spent Wednesday or Thursday afternoon's after school learning meteorology and what it takes to produce forecasts in front of the Physics/Astronomy/Meteorology green screen. If you have a son or daughter interested in math or science call or email Mr Lessor to get them involved during the Fall 2011 Bridges Meteorology Program.
Mr Lessor is currently taking applications from high school juniors and seniors to do internships in the Weather Center for the summer session and Fall 2011 semester. Please call 203-837-8552.
