(November 21, 2023) National Weather Service Employees Organization (NWSEO) is excited to announce the results of the 2023 National Election. At the 2023 NWSEO National Convention, JoAnn Becker was elected National President, Brandon Dunstan Executive Vice President and Chris Jacobson as Secretary-Treasurer.
NWSEO National President - JoAnn Becker
NWSEO welcomes JoAnn Becker to the role of National President. JoAnn previously held the position of Executive Vice President. JoAnn’s administration marks a historic moment for NWSEO, as she is the first Pacific Islander, and the first female in this top office. JoAnn was born and raised on the Island of Guam.
As for being the first Pacific Islander to take on the role of president, JoAnn said, “I am honored to be ushering a new generation of diverse leaders, but at the end of the day I plan to lead all members from all walks of life.”
JoAnn said she plans to continue an administration based on putting members first. “I care for the employees we serve; I will continue to fight for them,” JoAnn said. “It is an honor to be taking on this position, and as President I plan to do my best to represent all members.”
While this position comes with a new title, it is nothing I am not familiar with,” JoAnn said. “I have been by John’s side throughout his administration, I was with him through the highs and lows, and I feel aptly prepared.”
Former President, John Werner said, “I am leaving the members of NWSEO in strong and capable hands. I am so honored to be passing the torch to JoAnn, I know she will be the leadership NWSEO needs.”
JoAnn first started her NWS career at the WFO Guam in 1995 where she moved up to become a Lead Forecaster. In 2001 JoAnn became a Senior Aviation Meteorologist at the Aviation Weather Service, in Kansas City, MO. She received her Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Sciences from the University of California, Davis. She also earned her Master of Business Administration from Baker College Center for Graduate Studies.
Aside from her professional life, JoAnn is also a mother of four and a grandmother of five.
NWSEO Executive Vice President - Brandon Dunstan
Before taking on this position, Brandon Dunstan served as the NWSEO Eastern Region Chairperson. “I want to continue to lead our organization in a positive way,” Brandon said. “By strengthening our membership, working with management and providing support to our NWSEO President, JoAnn Becker.”
Brandon said he is passionate about representing the employees. Brandon has been a member of NWSEO since 2012. Brandon has a Bachelor of Science degree in Atmospheric Science from the University of Kansas, May 2004. He also attended Washburn University in Topeka, KS from 1998 - 2002, where he played NCAA Division II college tennis for Washburn for 4 years and was the team MVP in the 1999-2000 season.
Nowadays, you can find Brandon spending time with his wife and three daughters. “I’m a passionate cheer dad (for all 3 girls), and also enjoy following my favorite sports teams, Kansas City Chiefs, St. Louis Cardinals and Blues and the Carolina Hurricanes,” Brandon said.
NWSEO Secretary Treasurer - Chris Jacobson
Chris Jacobson will continue in the role of NWSEO Secretary Treasurer for another four years as well. Chris currently serves as a lead forecaster at WFO Key West, Florida. Chris began his NWS career in July 1995 as a meteorologist/programmer at the Olympic Weather Support Office in Peachtree City, Georgia. This was followed by service as an intern and general forecaster at WFO Corpus Christi; as a general forecaster and information technology officer at WFO Oxnard; and as a lead forecaster at WFO Upton, WFO Honolulu and WFO Key West. Chris joined NWSEO in 1999.
Chris’s union leadership experience includes serving as Vice Steward at WFO Oxnard (2001-2005), Steward at WFO Key West (2009-2013, 2018-present), Pacific Region Chair (2014-2018), Southern Region Chair (2019-2023) and Secretary-Treasurer (2020-present). In these roles, he has gained extensive experience in the Local Office Team (LOT), Regional Labor Council (RLC) and National Labor Council (NLC) processes. Chris has been the primary NWSEO representative on the NWS Mission Delivery Council since 2015 and served as a member of the NWSEO CBA Negotiating Team (2017-2021). Chris has also served as the Chair of the Constitution Committee since 2015 and served as the Chair of the Credentials Committee in 2019. Chris received the NWSEO Kip Robinson Award in 2014.
Chris holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from Florida State University and currently lives in Sugarloaf Key, Florida. Chris enjoys traveling, attending music festivals, bowling, golf, and his cats.
Together, JoAnn, Brandon and Chris are ready and eager to continue to strengthen the foundation that John Werner worked tirelessly to build. They have great respect and appreciation for the work of their fellow NWS employees. With your support, they will continue to forge a path to a brighter future as John Werner has left us.
NWSEO STRONG!