Ron Baskett is a seasoned meteorologist who began his journey in the field as a middle school student in Stockton, California, inspired by his science teacher, Mr. Hitt. He built a weather station, taking readings and developing a keen interest in meteorology. Baskett initially pursued civil engineering at UC Davis due to his fascination with maps but was inspired to switch to atmospheric science by Leonard Myrup and John Carroll from UCLA. Upon completing his undergraduate studies, Baskett found job opportunities scarce. However, he was offered a project by Dr. John Carroll to study air quality transport from the Bay Area to Yosemite [2]. This project aligned with Baskett's love for mountains and backpacking, leading him to accept the opportunity. The study resulted in the discovery that the Bay Area does impact the ozone in Yosemite Valley, a finding that is now routinely measured. Baskett's first paper, co-authored with Dr. Carroll, was published in the Journal of Applied Meteorology. He began his relationship with the American Meteorological Society (AMS) as a student in the early 1970s. His first AMS conference was in Boston, which he attended with a fellow meteorologist, Doug Grano. Baskett's career has seen him work on various projects, including the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability at Lawrence Livermore National Lab. His favorite project was the Mount Emmons tracer study, where he served as a project manager. Baskett values the connections he has made through his work and the AMS, which have significantly influenced his career.

Scope and Content Note
This interview with Ron Baskett, conducted by Jinny Nathans, AMS archivist, on January 9th at the AMS annual meeting in Phoenix, 2019, provides a detailed account of Baskett's journey as a meteorologist. Baskett discusses his early interest in meteorology, sparked by a middle school science teacher, and his transition from civil engineering to atmospheric science during his undergraduate studies at UC Davis. Baskett shares his experiences working on various projects, including his first project studying air quality transport from the Bay Area to Yosemite and his favorite project, the Mount Emmons tracer study. Baskett further discusses his career transitions, including his work with Ralph Sklarew on a problem with sour gas potential leaks in Alberta, his involvement with the National Atmospheric Release Advisory Capability at Lawrence Livermore National Lab, and his favorite project, the Mount Emmons tracer study. He also shares his experiences attending AMS conferences, highlighting the importance of networking and learning from diverse subject areas. Baskett emphasizes the significance of the connections he has made through his work and the AMS, which have greatly influenced his career. The interview concludes with Baskett expressing his excitement for the upcoming AMS conference in Boston, marking a full circle from his first AMS conference. This interview provides valuable insights into Baskett's career, his contributions to meteorology, and his experiences with the AMS. It is a rich resource for those interested in the history of meteorology, the role of professional societies like the AMS, and the career trajectory of a dedicated meteorologist.