When Joe's family was faced with leaving central Pennsylvania in the mid 1990s, they didn't think they would ever have the opportunity to return. But when he found out about the opening for Chief Meteorologist at WTAJ, it didn't take much thought to return. Joe has lived in many places, learning about many different climates across the nation. He was born in Brooklyn, NY but was raised in Tulsa, OK and Morgantown, WV.  "I was always interested in weather," Joe says, "but the blizzard of 1978 is a fond memory, and the severe weather in Oklahoma helped me decide to become a meteorologist."

Joe received a BS Degree in Meteorology from Penn State in 1990. Now, the table has turned and Joe is teaching Introductory Meteorology courses at Penn State Altoona. He also teaches at Mount Aloysius and enjoys sharing his weather knowledge with younger students in his school visits across Central Pennsylvania.

Joe's experience started before graduation with a couple of internships including one at WRC-TV in Washington, D.C. After graduation he became a Senior Meteorologist with AccuWeather in State College. During that time, he forecasted and broadcasted for radio stations across the nation, he also made critical forecasts for television stations across the country. Joe always wanted to share his knowledge of weather with people through television. So, in October 1995 he made a decision to leave Pennsylvania to pursue his goal.

He first joined the forecasting team at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, OH. Joe most recently worked at WUSA-TV, the CBS affiliate in The Nation's Capital before returning to WTAJ to head up the weather department.

In 2005, Joe was one of the first meteorologists in the nation and the first in Pennsylvania to be designated as a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). This is one of the most prestigious honors in the field of Broadcast Meteorology. In 2008, Joe also earned a Television Seal of Approval for the National Weather Association, completing a sweep of all possible certifications for television meteorologists . He has won numerous other awards inside and outside of the broadcast field. In 2009, Joe was appointed to the American Meteorology Society's Board of Broadcast Meteorology. He now will help award the CBM seals to others in the field.

Joe is married to Mara and has two daughters, Kristen and Rebecca. He enjoys playing and coaching soccer . Joe loves to be involved with many community events, and during the winter, you can catch him on the ski slopes. He is a certified ski instructor and enjoys teaching others the joy of the sport. 

Send your weather inquires to Joe here.