248-752-5602
Hi There! I’m Jack Gerfen!
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Thank you for visiting my website! I'm a dedicated, passionate, and team-oriented chief meteorologist currently at KOKH, the FOX affiliate in Oklahoma City, OK.
My Story
My love of weather and my dream of becoming a meteorologist started in fifth grade. It was the first day of our weather segment in our science class and we were learning about tornadoes. Later on that night, severe thunderstorm warnings and tornado warnings in suburban Detroit where I lived prompted my family and I to go into the basement. That coincidence I felt was just too profound to be ignored, even as a kid, and so that sparked it!
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I would go on to Valparaiso University and earn my degree in Meteorology while taking broadcast classes from ABC's Good Morning America's Ginger Zee and going on the occasional storm chase as well. I also interned at WDIV Channel 4 in Detroit.
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After graduating, I got my first broadcast job at KEYC in Mankato, MN where I stayed for a little less than three years before moving to Champaign, IL to work at WCIA. I stayed there for seven years, met my wife there, and now we are in Oklahoma City at KOKH as of August of 2022!
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I'm very fortunate to work my dream job every day. Because of this, I am always striving to be the best I can be for both the viewers and my co-workers.
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I also like to be integrated into the community. I have an extensive swim coaching background, and I put that to good use on YMCA swim teams in Mankato as well as in Champaign as an assistant coach!
My Forecasts
Demo Reel Below
Jack Gerfen November 2024 Weather Resume Reel
Digital Content
I understand the role digital plays in the newsroom environment, especially when it comes to providing viewers with accurate and timely weather articles. In addition to weather related articles, I have also produced a variety of stories for WCIA, ranging from highlighting local areas for Destination Illinois, to how to disinfect your car during COVID-19.
Destination Illinois
This is just one of the many articles I have done for Destination Illinois. These stories highlight unique places to experience in the Illinois. Since WCIA is in the central part of the state, that is where our focus is. Click the button below for a story done on Lake Shelbyville.
My Skills
I take pride in not only excelling in the skills I need to be a broadcast meteorologist, but also being well rounded in ways that help me professionally in the newsroom and personally.
Baron Lynx & Stormwarn
Proficient in using Baron Lynx and Stormwarn to deliver the forecast in a creative and informative way.
WSI Max & Weather Central
I am also well-versed in the WSI MAX weather system to build and deliver the forecast.
Forecast Models
Extensive knowledge of various computer models to help accurately forecast.
School Events & Community Outreach
My favorite part of the job is going to schools to teach kids about the weather and my job.
iNews
Basic understanding of iNews for Closed Captioning and story writing purposes.
Microsoft Windows & Office Suite
Extremely familiar with the Microsoft Windows ecosystem and all of their Office 365 products.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Able to use Adobe Premiere Pro and PhotoShop especially for projects and weather graphics.
StoryLine and WordPress
KOKH uses Sinclair's StoryLine as our web CMS, but I have also used WordPress while at WCIA.
Storm Tracking
Anvato is how we post and cut videos to our website. I also use this for streaming severe weather to our website and app.
Naviga
One of the most important hats I wear at WCIA is managing our news and weather apps. Especially for the weather app, I have worked hard to have all of our content available on it.
Current Broadcast Experience:
KOKH Chief Meteorologist
Oklahoma City, OK
August 2022 to Current
Provides Central Illinois with The Most Accurate Forecast during the 9:00 AM hour of The Morning Show, WCIA 3 News at Noon, and during the ciLiving lifestyle show
Create custom graphics relevant to the day's weather using WSI Max
Use #1 rated newscast, social media, website, and IoT devices to deliver WeatheRate Most Accurate Forecast
Regular contributor to newscasts through live shots, live storm tracking, team coverage, and lifestyle stories for Destination Illinois
Live stream forecasts for severe weather and major events to Facebook, website, and weather app
Responsible for revamping news and weather apps, weather website content, and more digital first initiatives resulting in the highest digital traffic we've ever measured
Enthusiastically participate in community outreach, volunteer opportunities, and school talks for the station
Manage weekly KidCaster franchise segment that features local children giving the forecast live.
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Previous Broadcast Experience:
WCIA 3 Midday Meteorologist
Champaign, IL
September 2019 to August 2022
Provides Central Illinois with The Most Accurate Forecast during the 9:00 AM hour of The Morning Show, WCIA 3 News at Noon, and during the ciLiving lifestyle show
Create custom graphics relevant to the day's weather using WSI Max
Use #1 rated newscast, social media, website, and IoT devices to deliver WeatheRate Most Accurate Forecast
Regular contributor to newscasts through live shots, live storm tracking, team coverage, and lifestyle stories for Destination Illinois
Live stream forecasts for severe weather and major events to Facebook, website, and weather app
Responsible for revamping news and weather apps, weather website content, and more digital first initiatives resulting in the highest digital traffic we've ever measured
Enthusiastically participate in community outreach, volunteer opportunities, and school talks for the station
Manage weekly KidCaster franchise segment that features local children giving the forecast live.
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WCIA 3 Weekend Meteorologist
Champaign, IL
July 2015 to September 2019
Provided Central Illinois with The Most Accurate Forecast during the weekend
Completed training from WSI for their Max Application software
Strengthened social media presence by using a switcher to stream warnings on television to website, app, and Facebook Live
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KEYC News 12 Morning Meteorologist
Mankato, MN
June 2013 to July 2015
Provided southern Minnesota and northern Iowa's forecast for KEYC News 12 Mornings and Midday newscasts
Enthusiastically participated in community outreach, volunteer opportunities, and school talks for the station
Recorded forecasts for sister publication The Public Opinion in Watertown, SD and Hot 96.7 FM in Mankato
KEYC News 12 Weekend Meteorologist
Mankato, MN
October 2012 to June 2013
Provided southern Minnesota and northern Iowa's forecast for KEYC News 12 Weekend
Created custom graphics relevant to the day’s weather using Weather Central Fusion 2.4
Composed packages and VOSOTS for weekday newscasts on a variety of topics
Gained understanding of camera equipment, interview techniques, and non-linear video editing software
​Laid the foundation for what it means to represent the station in the community
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Other Job Experience
Assistant Swim Coach, Stephens Family YMCA
Champaign, IL
October 2019 to August 2022
Lead practices, design workouts, and teach and refine proper stroke technique for swimmers ages 5 to 18
Provide status updates to parents
Applies swimming to life skills for young kids
Assistant Swim Coach, Mankato Family YMCA
Mankato, MN
October 2013 to July 2015
Lead practices, designed workouts, and taught and refined proper stroke technique for swimmers ages 5 to 18
Provided status updates to parents
Applied swimming to life skills for young kids
Rehabilitation Assistant, Rainbow Rehabilitation
Farmington Hills, MI
January 2012 to October 2012
Helped young adults who have suffered from a traumatic brain injury with daily activities
Administered medications and charted behavioral progress
Transported clients to appointments, therapies, and outings
Helped clients meet their goals of rehabilitation accomplishments while acting like a role model to them
Education
August 2007 - May 2011
Valparaiso University
Valparaiso, IN
Bachelors of Science Degree in Meteorology
Meteorology Major
Mathematics and Communications Minor
August 2004 to May 2007
Berkley High School
Berkley, MI
High School Diploma
