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In 1990, the AMS Board of Certified Consulting
Meteorologists (CCM) forwarded to the AMS Executive Committee a proposal to
develop, prepare, and distribute a directory of the active CCMs in the AMS. The
first edition of the directory was published in 1992, the second in 1993,
the third in 1995, and the fourth in 1997. The current edition of the CCM Directory, is sorted by state, so that those requiring the services of a CCM in a
local area can quickly locate individuals with the proper specialization. In
addition, a second listing is provided, which lists all CCMs who specialize in
each area, along with their state for ease of cross-referencing. There are
currently over 600 CCMs in the AMS. Through voluntary submissions, over
200 have chosen to be listed in this directory. Each listing in the first
section provides the following information: name, title, affiliation, address,
telephone and/or fax number, e-mail address, URL address, specialization area,
and certification number. For further information, please contact AMS Special
Programs at 617-227-2426, ext. 215.
The AMS has accredited
certification status to the Certified Consulting Meteorologists listed in this
directory. This certification does not extend to any areas of specialization
separately listed in this directory that have been provided by the individuals |
The Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM) is a professional
meteorologist who has an in-depth understanding of the atmosphere and its
behavior. Services and products provided by CCMs are founded upon their
abilities to apply this specialized knowledge to a broad range of related
activities, issues, and inquiries. The essential attribute of the CCM is a
specialized knowledge of the field, combined with broad experience, an
integrated concept of service, and a clear and unwavering adherence to the rules
of professional conduct and service.
The CCM program is a service for business, industry, and the
general public provided by the American Meteorological Society (AMS). The AMS
has established high standards of technical competence, character, and
experience for those who seek to provide advice and consultation in meteorology.
The program was established to indicate that individuals who are CCMs have been
tested and found to meet or exceed those standards. The principal purpose of
the program is to enable users of meteorological services to select consultants
with greater confidence in the quality and reliability of the products and
services they will receive.
After World War II, several private weather forecasting
services began operations. These companies were founded in response to the need
by weather-sensitive businesses and industries for weather forecasts and
information that were more detailed in time and space than similar information
provided by the National Weather Service.
With the growth of these
private services, it became apparent that some individuals seeking this business
did not have the appropriate professional or educational backgrounds as
meteorologists. The AMS recognized the need for a professional certification
process to advance the professional ideals within meteorology and to assist
business, industry, and the public in identifying qualified individuals with
greater confidence in the quality and reliability of the products and services
provided. In 1957, the AMS initiated the CCM program. Over the past four
decades, in addition to the growth of the private weather service companies,
other companies offering a broad range of environmental consulting services have
been founded. These companies address the growing recognition on the part of
the government, business, industry, and the public, of the need to evaluate and
address environmental issues. Many of the environmental issues are related to
meteorology and air quality.
The growing importance of these
environmental areas, coupled with the passage of the Clean Air Act in 1970
amendments to the act in 1977 and 1990, and the growing need for other
specialized weather-related services, has resulted in substantial growth in the
environmental consulting industry and in the demand for trained meteorologists.
Many of the individuals employed by these consulting firms have applied for
certification through the CCM program.
There are currently over 550
CCMs of the AMS, of whom approximately 400 are "active"; over 200 are
voluntarily listed in this directory. In the past, the program has principally
drawn qualified persons in the private sector who provide weather- and
climate-related services. In recent years, increased numbers of applicants have
come from industry, government, universities, research institutions, the media,
federal laboratories, and state and local agencies.
The Board of Certified Consulting Meteorologists is a standing
board of the AMS, responsible for considering applications and making
recommendations in regard to certification. The board oversees the program and
its members.
Members of the CCM Board
© Copyright
1997, American Meteorological Society