Who we are The chase and spotting team (in it's present form) was formed officially in March of 2013. Members have had many years experience serving as spotters. We are a group of storm spotters that serve as primary observers for the city of Levelland, the communities within Hockley county and the National Weather Service in Lubbock, Texas. Radar line of sight can not go low enough to see details under certain altitudes. Our eyes on the sky reports are reported to public safety and NWS in order to give all agencies concerned a better overview of weather conditions. This in turn allows for a better informed and thus prepared public. Our interest has grown and we now are launching off into a new aspect. One of chasing (safely...we might add!) storms in the area and outside of our primary area. We operate within our primary if a system threatens, however when the skies are clear and no threats exist in our immediate area, we will venture elsewhere. We are volunteers, and do this to serve. |
Picture courtesy of Fire Angel Photography |
Members We are not a typical group as we formed with a specific set of purposes. Our team is comprised of retired and active law enforcement, military, firefighters, paramedic and EMTs. Other career contributions include education and communications. Not everyone is an amateur radio operator, although that is strongly encouraged. At present, we are composed of 12 members. Team members undergo annual Skywarn training and have taken advanced Skywarn training. All team members have taken the ICS 100, ICS 200, ICS 700 and ICS 800 FEMA courses. Some members have taken many other courses including ICS 300 and ICS 400. As one of our capabilities includes first aid, all members have taken first aid courses and are qualified to perform CPR. |
Jeff Pharis is the Advisor / Co-founder of the Levelland Skywarn Team. Jeff is a full-time Firefighter / Fire Investigator, Licensed Paramedic, Reserve Deputy Sheriff, and serves on the Percom EMS School Advisory Council. Jeff has also previously served as a Police Officer / SWAT Operator, and a Tactical Paramedic. Jeff has served in Public Safety since 1998 and has been involved with severe weather since 1994. |
Whitney Owens is the Levelland Skywarn Team Coordinator. Whit is a retired Professor from South Plains College after 30 years, EMT-B, District RACES Officer, ARES EC, and Communications Specialist. Whit has been involved in Public Safety and Severe Weather since 2008 and Amateur Radio Communications since the 1990's. |
Armando Lopez is a Field Supervisor and Co-Founder for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Armando has been a Police Officer for over 40 years. Armando currently serves on the South Plains Association of Governments Board of Directors (9years). Armando has been involved in Severe Weather, Amateur Radio and Emergency communications since the 1990's. |
Eugene Diaz is a Field Supervisor for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Eugene retired from the United States Marine Corps as a Gunnery Sergeant after 23 years of service. Eugene has been a local welder for several years. Eugene has been involved in Severe Weather and Emergency Communications since 2008. |
Genor (Gee) Golightly is the Communications and WX Radar Operator for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Gee has served as a 911 Dispatcher and has been involved in Severe Weather, Amateur Radio and Emergency Communications since the 1990's. |
Bill Pharis is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Bill is a Retired Fighter, former EMT, and former Military Police Officer. Bill has been involved in Public Safety since 1978. Bill has been involved in Severe Weather for over 40 years. |
Bill Brown (here in a moment of humor...it can be trying at times) is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Bill is currently a full-time EMT. Bill has worked as a Safety Supervisor and welding supervisor in the private sector for several years. Bill has been involved in Public Safety and Severe Weather since 2008. |
Dee Macha is Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Dee has been an insurance agency owner for the past 38 years and has been involved with Severe Weather and Emergency Communications since 2018. |
Kenny Howard is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Kenny also serves as the backup Communications and WX Radar Operator. Kenny has been an automobile body technician for over 14 years. Kenny has been involved in Severe Weather and Emergency Communications since 2018. |
Taylor Kuiken is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Taylor serves as a Comm Tower Technician and a Volunteer Firefighter. Taylor has been involved in Public Safety and Severe Weather for several years. |
Doug McKnight is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Doug currently serves as a Texas Correctional Officer (10 years) and also serves as a Volunteer Firefighter (10 years). Doug has been involved in Public Safety and Severe Weather for approximately 10 years. |
Troy Howard is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. |
Cole Mulloy serves as Chief of the Sundown VFD and is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. |
Cindy Mulloy is a Field Communications / Storm Spotter for the Levelland Skywarn Team. Cindy serves as a volunteer fire fighter for the city of Sundown and has served her community in that capacity for five years. |