Kevin Petty Named New Head of Science and Forecasting at The Weather Company, an IBM Business

public-private partnerships within the industry 

 

ATLANTA – May 1, 2019 – The Weather Company, an IBM Business, has named Kevin Petty director of science and forecasting and head of public-private partnerships. He oversees research and development for weather solutions and is responsible for forecasting operations, including a global team of meteorologists across IBM’s Watson Media and Weather organization. Petty also manages the company’s relationships with members of the national and global weather enterprise that includes government agencies, academia, and other private-sector providers. 

“Kevin shares our goals of advancing science and innovation within the field, including extending IBM’s cognitive technology to meet growing demands for weather solutions and growing our partnerships in the weather community,” said Cameron Clayton, general manager of Watson Media and Weather at IBM. “It’s become apparent to clients across industries that weather and climate needs to be part of their business strategy, and Kevin’s knowledge and expertise will help us improve decision making for people and businesses.” 

 

Well known in the weather enterprise, Petty is a staunch supporter of the advancement and application of science and science policy and on increasing diversity in the field. Before joining IBM, he served as chief science officer for Vaisala, a company that delivers weather and climate-based products and solutions to the meteorological, transportation, energy and defense industries. He's also worked as a scientific program manager with the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and as an accident investigator and senior meteorologist for the National Transportation Safety Board.  

 

Petty is a committee member of the Environmental Information Services Working Group (ESWIG) for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and serves as a member of the dean’s advisor board for Colorado State University’s College of Engineering. An American Meteorological Society (AMS) Fellow, he is also a steering committee member of the Commission on the Weather Water and Climate Enterprise for the AMS.  

 

He regularly speaks and publishes on weather and climate topics. Petty graduated with a Ph.D. and master’s degree in atmospheric science from The Ohio State University and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Illinois College.