@KMBC, Since 1985
Age: 56
Hometown: Cleveland, OH
College: St. Louis University
Years in the industry: 39
How have you survived in the industry?
I am not sure how to answer that. I am glad that people appreciate my work, and I try to keep the viewer in mind while I am talking one-on-one with them.
Why did you chose to go into meteorology?
Fear as a child turned into passion. I was scared of storms, and my elementary school science teacher walked me to the library to check out some books on weather. I have been hooked since 3rd grade
What’s the hardest part of your job?
Trying to anticipate every small change in the forecast. For example, it can be raining over one city (as you predicted) and other areas could be totally dry (so they think you missed the forecast). The hardest part is keeping everyone happy.
What’s the easiest part of your job?
Actually talking into the camera lens after all these years is pretty easy for me.
What’s next after KMBC?
I have been blessed to mentor close to 100 interns at KMBC. So, if I can talk a television station in a smaller market to hire me as a talent coach, I would jump at that opportunity. I have been perfecting my skill doing character voices for cartoons and such. That would be fun to do more often.
What something professionally that you haven’t done yet that you want to do?
Go on one of those missions that flies into the eye of a hurricane
What is the toughest challenge for African Americans looking to make it in this industry?
I think just to be considered more than just a slot to fill. So many of us are quite experienced and talents, and sometimes we still have to fight for the better shift or decent story to cover
How do you feel about being approached when you are in public? Selfies? Autographs?
It doesn’t bother me at all. I welcome it. It is my way to say “thanks for watching!”
Selfies? Sure! I always tell people to “Tag me on Facebook, InstaGram, Snapchat or Twitter. It is Bryan, with a ‘Y’.”
Autographs? No problem. I just think it is sometimes awkward for some folks to ask. And I feel weird volunteering to offer the opportunity, whether pic or signature. We work through it, one way or the other.
What’s something interesting and fun about yourself that people may not know?
I have been perfecting my skill doing character voices for cartoons and such. I am the voice of my own cartoon character Georgie Global, a feature that has appeared on the web, television, and in newspapers, I provide all of the voices (except Santa) during my annual radio Santa tracking, and I recently provided the voices for the pig, horse and bull on the American Royal television commercials.
Your music choice?
Bruno Mars I like a lot. Most of my music is jazz, old R and B, and classic rock. However, since I play in orchestras (and also conduct musical groups)I love classical music, too.