On this episode of Mississippi Stories, Mississippi Today Editor-at-Large Marshall Ramsey sits down with William “Bill” Parker, Meteorologist-In-Charge of the NOAA National Weather Service Forecast Office in Jackson, Mississippi. Bill is a New Orleans native and the first African American to lead one of the nation’s 122 National Weather Service forecast offices. He is a native of New Orleans and was fascinated by weather. However, a statistics class, as well as a love for math, made him want to enter meteorology. Bill, a Jackson State graduate, thought he would go into broadcasting but landed in Louisiana as a meteorologist. After many years of forecasting and shift work, Bill returned to Jackson in 2016 to replace Alan Gerard. Gerard transferred to the NOAA National Severe Storms Laboratory, Oklahoma. Bill talks about the mission and the 20 roles that the National Weather Service team of meteorologists plays. He shares great advice on how to get into meteorology and mentorship. Scott Albert Johnson, singer, songwriter, and musician, join Marshall Ramsey to discuss creativity, dreams, balance, and living a balanced lifestyle. Loading… Something went wrong. Refresh the page or try again.