Born
in Spokane, Washington, in 1959, John has enjoyed a great experience
in the life journey. He has interests and active participation in
sports, (Freestyle Skiing, Snowboarding, Performance Surfing, Waterskiing,
and Stand-up Jet Skiing). As a devoted weight training maniac, John
has succeeded in keeping fit and well rounded as far as staying
young and healthy. John loves the beach, the mountains, and all
geographical diversity. In traveling around the world, John really
appreciates what we have here in the United States. He is a proud
father of his son Tyler. John has seen this "zeal for life"
getting passed on in Tyler's life. Tyler is a semi-pro surfer, an
honor roll student for over 10 years, and has been blessed with
a starring role in the movie "Walking on Water". His young surf-star
status has been a whirlwind for John as his father. Tyler is "my
rock of youth. Family connection and being involved make it all
worth it". Cars are another fetish for John. He enjoys and
own fast cars, classics, and love his Harleys. He has quite a collection
of these vehicles that numbers "over a dozen" It seems
like when John gets involved in something, it is done "full force".
As an author and landscape designer by trade, John has seen some
great projects come from initiation to completion. "Life is so rewarding".
An attitude of gratitude is first for John. "Although I may
be blessed in so many ways, when you get my age in life, it is the
simple things that matter most". John is all about relationship,
enjoying every day, and has a spontaneity about him that there is
no desire to change. Kind of like the weather, it just fits his
daily routine. It's always different. John's motto: "The past
does not equal the future... Today is the first day of the rest
of your life... Enjoy the Journey" ! |
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| Mike Barham is the most recent addition to the Severe Warning Systems team. He bring a special addition ot the research and development side of SWS. In his title of special projects lead, Mike has developed a probe launcher for us to further research of tornadic storms by enabling us to get a probe into the tornado. Mike was born in Thousand Oaks, California. A graduate of the class of 1977. Mike is devoted to his family and wife of over 30 years, and his to adult sons. His devotion to completing a task is second to none. Hie loves to upgrade and keep his flatbottom boat in custom like mint condition. Mr. Barham has a focus.. He completes any task with an excellence Mike has a passion for observing severe weather. He has always into the monsson thunderstorms that affect the Colorado River Valley. Mike along with John witnessed in 2007 the most extreme monsoon thunderstorm to hit Parker Arizona to hit in recorded history. Now Mike looks forward to being a part of natures most violent of severe weather, tornadoes. Mike will be on site in the Plains in 2010 for the second round of the "PMD" testing. He will assist in the field of the timely tasks needed to deploy the PMD's in the chaotic situations that arise in a tornado interception. |
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Steve
Korper was born and raised in Chicago, moved to Florida, and wound
up in California. At an early age, Steve realized his mission in
life was to help others. Steve was a uniformed street patrol police
officer in Florida. Steve, a Southern California resident is presently
in the Orange County Sheriff Reserves, and a member of a DMAT-Disaster
Medical Assistance Team, and is a member of Infragard-FBI Los Angeles
Field Office. While living in Chicago, Steve traveled extensively
to Wisconsin and Minnesota. Steve has seen the wrath of, not to
mention been in one, numerous tornadoes. While in Florida, Steve
has experienced numerous tornadoes and hurricanes. Here is his closest
call with a tornado in his words. "When I was young, I was on vacation
in Wisconsin and encountered my first tornado. My family and I were
traveling on the highway when a storm approached. The wind and rain
got so intense we had to pull off the road. We couldn't even see
one inch outside of the windows. Everything turned yellow. The car
started to rock. The car started to teeter on two wheels. The sound
was deafening. The storm slowly subsided. We later heard that this
was a tornado. We were saved because we stopped next to a small
hill which buffered us from the full force". Steve's latest exposure
was being deployed to hurricane Katrina. The effects these storms
have on people are devastating. "I attempt to do my part to help
these victims". Steve has earned a B.S., M.A., M.S., Ph.D., and
numerous licenses and certifications. Steve is currently a professor
at Saddleback College, and has a business in security systems installation.
He is a master in educational achievement. Steve does it right,
or not at all. Steve is a "very important" part of SWS. |
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