Chet Ropelewski is a meteorologist who began his career in an unconventional way. Unlike many of his peers who developed an interest in meteorology from a young age, Ropelewski's initial interest was in geology and geophysics. He pursued a bachelor's degree in physics, which he completed in June 1964. However, he soon realized that he did not enjoy modern physics, particularly quantum mechanics. Ropelewski's career path took a turn when he received a draft letter from his draft board shortly after his graduation.

Ron Holle is a well-known lightning safety specialist who has spent over 45 years studying lightning and its effects. He is considered one of the leading experts in the field of lightning safety and has authored numerous articles and papers on the subject. Holle received his Bachelor's degree in meteorology from Florida State University and his Master's degree in atmospheric science from the University of Arizona.

Brian Etherton is a meteorologist who has worked extensively on climate modeling. He is currently a Principal Scientist at Vaisala, a Finnish company that provides environmental and industrial measurement solutions, where he leads the climate modeling team.

John Toohey-Morales is a renowned meteorologist known for his significant contributions to the field. Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Toohey-Morales developed an interest in weather and atmospheric sciences at a young age, particularly influenced by the tropical cyclone threats that occasionally affected his homeland. His interest was further piqued by the devastating impact of Hurricane David in 1979, which led him to consider a career in meteorology. Toohey-Morales pursued his passion for atmospheric sciences at Cornell University.