George Lessens retiring

[Honolulublue4life]

At end of year

https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/inv ... d2661522d1

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — He just might have the most expansive tie collection at the station, if not all West Michigan. And after more than 40 years with 13 ON YOUR SIDE, Chief Meteorologist George Lessens is ready to retire.

George is an American Meteorological Society (AMS) Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, a thirteen-time MAB® Weathercast Award Winner, a two-time EMMY® Award Winner, a NATAS® Silver Circle Award Winner, and a Weather-Ready Nation® Ambassador.

Most recently, he was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the AMS, the Charles L. Mitchell Award for Outstanding Service by a Forecaster, considered by many a career-capper.

[dwp49423]

Just saw this as well. It will give him 44 years at WZZM. The only other on camera job I've read of George having was on the old PBS program AM Weather, which was produced by Maryland Public Television. Likely only worked at those two jobs as it appears George was born around 1958 based on his age at the time of the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak which means he would have started at WZZM almost right after college (1980/age 22).

This will make WWMT's Keith Thompson the area's longest serving meteorologist at a single station. He's been at Channel 3 for around 35 years.

[Bull Shannon]

This will make WWMT's Keith Thompson the area's longest serving meteorologist at a single station. He's been at Channel 3 for around 35 years.

I imagine it won't be long before Keith retires, too.

Of course, the question is, who will become Chief at WZZM?

[48125er]

Just saw this as well. It will give him 44 years at WZZM. The only other on camera job I've read of George having was on the old PBS program AM Weather, which was produced by Maryland Public Television. Likely only worked at those two jobs as it appears George was born around 1958 based on his age at the time of the Palm Sunday tornado outbreak which means he would have started at WZZM almost right after college (1980/age 22).

This will make WWMT's Keith Thompson the area's longest serving meteorologist at a single station. He's been at Channel 3 for around 35 years.

George was born in 54, so he started at 13 at 26. To compare Bill steffen was born in 51 and started in 1974 at 23, Craig JamesWas born in 1945 and started in 1973 but at 28

[sinklair]

A great testament to George and the other GR mets who have provided a great service to viewers with their calm and clear forecasting for what can be a very challenging weather area.

[Jason Kragt]

His last day on-air will be in December.

Looks like they are trying to milk this one for the entire year.

[Trophyhead]

I had Master Control shifts at Delta College's Channel 19, in George's final months with AM Weather. It was the first show on the weekday schedule, with sign on around 8:40 a.m. and Sesame Street starting at 9.

When I got to work on the west side of the state, there was George, doing weekend weather on 13 in the mid 80s, in my recollection.

We'd spoken a number of times when he was after temperatures and I was working evenings on air, before automated weather stations were common in the region.

A long career, to be sure and a retirement well deserved, hope he can enjoy it in good health.

[MasterB]

All the best to George Lessens enjoy retirement at the end of 2024, they did it because it's sweeps month not a big deal anymore like decades ago.

[Feature/writer]

After Bill Steffens left TV-13 wx to move to crosstown WOOD-TV, I recall TV-13 often promoting George as a born and raised in West Michigan weathercaster, because Steffens wasn't!

[Bull Shannon]

After Bill Steffens left TV-13 wx to move to crosstown WOOD-TV, I recall TV-13 often promoting George as a born and raised in West Michigan weathercaster, because Steffens wasn't!

They also started promoting him as the "longest tenured meteorologist at a single station in West Michigan" on the exact day his tenure at the station became longer than Bill's

George has spent his entire career being second-fiddle to Bill, even after Bill left for TV-8.

[Honolulublue4life]

Well Michael Behrens isn't going to be chief at 13. He's moving to Columbus Ohio. Guess Sam will end up chief. I wonder if they hire Kolton Woods?

[Bdl]

I had Master Control shifts at Delta College's Channel 19, in George's final months with AM Weather. It was the first show on the weekday schedule, with sign on around 8:40 a.m. and Sesame Street starting at 9.

When I got to work on the west side of the state, there was George, doing weekend weather on 13 in the mid 80s, in my recollection.

We'd spoken a number of times when he was after temperatures and I was working evenings on air, before automated weather stations were common in the region.

A long career, to be sure and a retirement well deserved, hope he can enjoy it in good health.

I'll give you an update on the Delta personnel.
Bill Ballard -GM...retired at moved to Traverse City area...died a few years back
Ray Woods...Chief Engineer....retired in the mid 80's ...died late 90's?
Harold Conley...Asst. Chief....still living Saginaw area
Cliff Saladine...Engineering....died around 2010?
Tom Haskell....Program Dictator....still living Midland area
Andy Rapp....Day By Day....all other things local...retired 2017...still living Midland area
Doug Brinks...Engineering...still living Bay City area
edit..Guy Serumgard...left around 1986...went to Peoria..still living.

Think that's all that goes back to your time there.

[Bull Shannon]

Well Michael Behrens isn't going to be chief at 13. He's moving to Columbus Ohio. Guess Sam will end up chief. I wonder if they hire Kolton Woods?

Honestly, if Sam does become chief, that would be pretty cool because we'd then have two women as chief meteorologists in this market.