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Channel 2 Works for You Storm Chasers

DAVID BALLEW
Based in Sapulpa, Channel 2 Storm Spotter David Ballew has chased storms for 5 years and uses Channel 2's mobile storm camera technology. David uses an array of technical gadgets to get close to the storm as safely as possible, and is capable of streaming video to Channel 2 from the field. David chases with Channel 2 veteran storm chaser Don Gomez, and in 2005 they chased a tornadic storm that produced night time tornadoes just west of the Sapulpa area. When not busy watching storms, lightning and their electricity, David enjoys being an electrician at Bob Dooley Electric in Tulsa.

TERRY BAVOUSETTE
Terry Bavousette is the Emergency Management director for Bristow in Creek County, and he's held that position for 8 years. Terry is in charge of "sounding the siren" in Bristow when severe weather threatens, and has provided storm and rainfall information over the years. Terry is also the official NWS observer for Bristow. During the school year Terry teaches 5th grade science at Kellyville Upper Elementary School and plans to retire in June of 2008. Terry graduated from Oklahoma State in 1980 as is a self proclaimed "Beatles freak", having travelled to Liverpool, Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and John Lennon's boyhood home.

BRAD BEAMAN
Brad Beaman is a first year weather spotter with Channel 2 and has lived in the Tulsa area for 44 years. Brad is employed with Ameristar Fence Products and lives in Broken Arrow. His family includes his wife and 4 outstanding boys, and they have witnessed ever type of weather that mother nature can provide. Brad says he's "proud to be a part of Channel 2 and their weather team."

SHYLA FLICKINGER
An experienced storm spotter and chaser, Shyla Flickinger has chased and witnessed storms since she was a young West Texas girl. Born and raised in Abilene, Shyla rode with her father (who chases for a TV station in Abilene) sometimes witnessing huge hailstones and tornadoes. Shyla is married to Channel 2 meteorologist George Flickinger, and they live in Broken Arrow along with their "rescue" dogs. George and Shyla chase together when possible, and they have photographed tornadoes and storms in Texas, Oklahoma and Kansas.

DON FUGATE
Don Fugate had no idea he would become an avid storm chaser until 1987 when he visited the tornado ravished small town of Saragosa, TX. The aftermath was horrendous and documenting it only made Don more interested in learning about the tornadoes that cause such damage. Since then Don has traveled countless miles and made numerous intercepts of severe storms and in the past few years has shared his video with us here at KJRH.

MARC HALL
Marc Hall has been fascinated by severe weather since he was a kid. In the early to mid 80s he would often be seen riding his bike across the neighborhood just to see the storms rolling in. Since that time, he's been on numerous chases and logged thousands of miles. Marc is a lifelong Muskogee resident and works as assistant manager at Family Time Rentals. He is also an award winning filmmaker. Marc has been storm chasing for Channel 2 since 1999. You can reach Marc by email at stormchaser27@hotmail.com or through his myspace.

JOHN HOLLINGSHEAD
Sand Springs native John Hollingshead became interested in tornadoes following the deadly tornado outbreak of June 8, 1974. Channel 2 was hit by a tornado that same evening. Since 1984, John has witnessed more than 50 tornadoes in 5 states, and his video has been featured nationally on CNN and The Weather Channel. John and his wife Jennifer live in Muskogee, where Jennifer and her mother operate Juanita Blair Farmers Insurance. John drives a tractor trailer for Ryder on the General Motors account. They have four children: John, age 21, Jason, age 11, Jana, age 8 and Jessica, age 4. The eldest is in the U.S. Navy stationed in San Diego.

JEFF SMITH
Jeff Smith is a Channel 2 Storm Spotter, and he has been chasing storms for 7 years. Jeff works for United Ford in their wholesale parts distribution center. Jeff was born and raised in Verdigris and is active in his church, where he serves as children and youth director. Jeff is married with two children and his son is also his chase partner. Jeff's passion for weather began in 1975 when his mother called him to a window and he observed his first tornado at age 5, the famous F-3 tornado that hit East Tulsa in December, 1975. On March 12, 2006, Jeff and his son T.J. shot rare night video of the Delaware County, Oklahoma F-3 tornado. When asked why he chases storms, Jeff smiles and says he simply wants to help keep folks safe from Oklahoma tornadoes!

PASCAL VAN SCHINJDEL
A European transplant who immigrated to the US from Holland in 1999, Pascal Van Schijndel has been chasing storms in SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma for the past 6 years. He is a licensed amateur radio operator (KC0KIG) and a volunteer for the American Red Cross. Pascal and his wife, Pam, live in Caney, KS with 2 children, 6 cats and 3 very nervous fish. Pascal frequently contributes weather pictures and reports to Channel 2, and he is an official co-op weather observer for his area.

JIMMY WILLIAMS
I was born in California in 1967. At the age of 4, I moved to Bartlesville, Oklahoma after an earthquake leveled our home in 1971. My Grandmother had me terrified of severe weather and the older I got the more interested in it I became. I have been a storm chaser for 18 years and I thrive on severe weather . I am a single father of 4 sons that I have raised by myself, ages 19,18,16 and 5. Only the 5 year old lives with me now the others are older and moved out on thier own. I work in Broken Arrow for J&B Supply as a delivery driver. My hobbies include weather, Ham Radio (KD5CTL), computer repair, Cherokee indian history, home decorating and remodeling, and being a great dad. I am very proud of being a part of the Channel 2 stormchase team.

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