Currently chief meteorologist at WPMI-TV in Mobile, Alabama, Cincinnati television viewers will likely remember Derek Beasley as morning/chief meteorologist at WLWT-TV (thanks to their catchy “Derek Said It Would!” campaign). As part of our “New Year, New You” issue, Derek talks candidly about the life of a television meteorologist, and how reestablishing yourself is all just part of the game.

Cincinnati Profile: When did you get interested in weather and meteorology?

Derek Beasley: I became interested in meteorology as a child. I remember growing up part of my childhood in upstate New York and being fascinated by snowstorms. I moved to Arkansas when I was 8 years old and that is where I first experienced heat waves and tornadoes. I think it was a combination of all of those events that fueled my interested in weather. The rest is history.

CP: What is it about weather that intrigues you?

DB: I have always been fascinated by nature in general. You may have a year with tons of hurricanes or several different blizzards, but each one is different in its own way. Finding out why weather happens and what makes each weather phenomenon so different sparked my interest.

CP: Tell me a little about your immediate family and where everyone is located.

DB: My parents and grandparents live in a couple of small towns about an hour west of Memphis in Arkansas. I have two older brothers. One lives in Atlanta and is a nationally recognized endocrinologist, specializing in Type 2 diabetes in children. My other brother is an actor in Los Angeles. He has appeared in many shows, including The Wanda Skyes Show, Family Guy and Jimmy Kimmel Live. His main cup of tea is improv.

Now that I live on the Gulf Coast, I am closer to by brother in Atlanta but I am the same distance from my parents that I was when I lived in Cincinnati. I try to see them as often as I can, but with my busy work schedule it can be challenging.

CP: Tell me about all the cities your career has taken you and the story behind each move.

My first job in TV was a freelance gig in Columbus, MS at WCBI-TV. I started that job to get some experience while finishing my last year of graduate school at Mississippi State from 2003 to 2004. This gave me an advantage over other students graduating at the time, and it also made feel more comfortable about being on live television. My first full-time job was at KHBS/KHOG in Fort Smith, AR. Fort Smith is on the western border of Arkansas with Oklahoma, so it gave me a tremendous opportunity to cover severe storms in Tornado Alley and learn the ropes of the TV business. Everything changed for me the night I decided to chase Hurricane Katrina in September of 2005. It was my experience covering that historic storm that moved me to WLWT in Cincinnati.

CP: Tell me more about the storm coverage that brought you to Cincinnati.

DB: At the time I worked for KHBS/KHOG as a weekend meteorologist. Hurricane Katrina was set to make landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi on a Monday morning in September. I am a diehard storm chaser, and I wanted to leave that Friday to head to the Gulf Coast to cover the storm.

Unfortunately, I was unable to get anyone to cover my weekend shift so I ended up working through that Sunday night. I clearly remember watching the satellite images of Katrina, and thinking how huge this storm was going to be for the Gulf Coast.

I did my 10 o’clock broadcast that night and made the decision to drive 7 hours to Jackson, Mississippi to at least catch the inland effects of the storm. By the time I arrived in Jackson that Monday morning, the storm was already bearing down on the coast. I stopped at a friend’s house to check radar and news reports to see if I could get closer to the coast, but all major highways to Biloxi and Gulfport were closed.

I then plotted where the storm would move inland through the course of the day and set a spot to intercept the storm that afternoon. I drove east toward Meridian, MS then jogged south a bit to get in place as the storm tracked inland. That Monday afternoon, I intercepted the storm, still a Category 2 near Laurel, MS. I covered the storm for my station in Arkansas and was asked to stay in Jackson for the next two weeks assisting our sister stations WAPT and WDSU in post-storm coverage.

It was my efforts during those two weeks that caught the attention of  Hearst Television; they decided it was time for me to move up. I received interest from three different stations, WLWT, WBAL in Baltimore and WMUR in Manchaster, NH. WLWT was the most aggressive and I signed on to replace Susanne Horgan in December of 2005.

CP: How long were you at WLWT?

DB: I worked at WLWT for nearly four years. I was hired to replace Susanne Horgan for News 5 Today and join the morning team of Pete Scalia, Todd Dykes and Lisa Cooney.

CP: How did the job at WPMI-TV come about?

DB: WPMI totally came out of the blue. Having always wanted to work in the Mobile/Pensacola/Ft. Walton Beach market since the start of my career, I was excited about the opportunity to cover hurricanes and forecast tropical weather. I was contacted about a chief meteorologist position that had recently opened and it turned out the opportunity was at WPMI-TV. It was one I had been wanting since the start of my career. I’ve experienced five hurricanes, and there is something about them that fascinates me. I saw firsthand the destruction on the Mississippi Gulf Coast during Katrina and the destruction Hurricane Ivan caused in Alabama in 2004. I was determined to one day make my contribution to help save lives and protect property.

CP: Was it a difficult decision to leave Cincinnati for the job at WPMI-TV? If so, why?

DB: It was extremely difficult. I had spent almost four years of my life in a city that I grew to love with each year I was there. It felt like home, and I had grown accustomed to being a resident of the Tri-State. I’d made many friends and it was difficult to let all of that go. At the same time, however, the opportunity in Mobile felt like the right one at just the right time. New job, new city, new friends, and a work environment and schedule that worked well for me. Despite the perks of living in what some consider as a vacation area, there are many things about Cincinnati that I still miss to this day.

CP: You uproot your life and start a new life in each new city you move to. This issue is all about starting anew, so tell us how you do it.

DB: I have always found it easy for me to move to new places and adapt. I have lived in six different states since 1994. This has become second nature to me. After you do it so many times, you learn to adjust and adapt.

I make new friends at work of course, but I also try to meet people at different social functions or perhaps doing things that I also enjoy. It’s really easy to meet people when you have things in common. I think that is the key.

As far as learning my way around, you put away the GPS and the map and just get lost on purpose. I remember when I moved to Cincinnati in 2005, I didn’t know anyone, nor did I know my way around. I would purposely get in my car and drive all over the city, getting lost in the process and finding my way back home. As a meteorologist, your geography has to be sharp. The worst thing you can do is move to a new location, then get on the air and not pronounce roads, towns, cities or counties properly. You’ll stand out like a sore thumb.

Learning my way around also allowed me the opportunity to get to know the area, so when I delivered my weathercasts I knew exactly where everything was. With the internet, it is much easier now to find the best places to live, but really experience is the key. After living in Cincinnati for a year or two, I really got the hang of it, and knew exactly where to go and what to do.

CP: What’s the best thing about starting anew?

DB: The best thing about it is the adventure of doing something and experiencing something you’ve never seen/done/heard before. One of the most exciting things about me moving to Cincinnati was experiencing the culture of the city. Experiencing Skyline and Gold Star Chili for the first time. Tasting Graeter’s Ice Cream and Grippo’s Potato Chips. Covering the Flying Pig Marathon and Opening Day, the WEBN Fireworks and Tall Stacks. Those are memories that will last a lifetime. Now that I live in Mobile, Alabama, the experience is totally different. Watching the Blue Angels fly at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, participating in Mardi Gras and the associated balls, Shrimpfest in Gulf Shores, the Bayfest Music Festival and the Azalea Trail Run; these are all things that I can say I’ve been a part of in each place I’ve lived. It’s priceless.

CP: What’s the worst thing about starting anew?

DB: I think the worst thing is not knowing anyone and the feeling of being alone. Setting up utilities, registering your vehicles and finding a decent, safe place to live. You are always praying that it turns out to be a great neighborhood. The biggest hurdle I think is learning your way around town. Having a GPS helps but sometimes there’s nothing like finding your own way around using landmarks and good old fashioned signage!

CP: How have you adapted to Mobile’s slower-paced social scene?

DB: I’ve lived in other areas with a slower social scene, so this isn’t new to me. The cool thing about Mobile is that it is close to other cities with a livelier social scene. I live an hour and a half from New Orleans and four hours from Atlanta. I think was spoiled living in such a great city like Cincinnati. Everything was right there.

CP: What are some things that Mobile has, and this job position has, that you didn’t have in Cincinnati?

DB: Mobile has some great seafood. I had some good seafood in Cincy, but when you can go buy fresh Gulf shrimp straight off the boat, oysters, fresh flounder, crawfish and alligator – you simply can’t beat that. The food isn’t necessarily better overall here in Mobile, it’s just different from Cincinnati. Mobile has warmer weather, of course. We routinely see 70 degree weather down here in December and January. It snowed here last year for the first time in 10 years. And, of course, everyone blamed it on me – bringing it down from Cincinnati! As far as my job here at WPMI-TV, I feel I have more control and flexibility overall. I have complete control over how severe weather is covered and the format in which our content is placed on the air. My superiors have placed full confidence and trust in me and my abilities to lead this weather team and it’s priceless. So far, it has worked exceptionally well.

CP: What do you like to do in your spare time?

DB: I like to travel. There are so many places I’d like to go that I haven’t seen yet. I am starting to get into performance cars, so I do a little tinkering with my toys from time to time. When I get the opportunity I like to chase storms of course, and I enjoy heading to the beach. I live about an hour from Destin, Pensacola Beach and Gulf Shores, so it feels good to live so close to a popular vacation spot. I’m also into birdwatching; one thing I’m going to pursue in 2011 is my falconry license. I’ve always loved raptors and birds of prey and I’d love to get my falconers apprentice license this year.

CP: You’ve started anew several times in your life. Any tips you’d give someone who’s considering a move, contemplating a clean slate, or debating on whether or not to chase a dream/opportunity?

DB: My best advice is not to be intimidated. Research the city. City-data.com is one of the most valuable websites I know for anyone wanting to relocate. The forum section is there for you to ask locals and natives different things about the city. Find things you enjoy doing in those new cities. I personally would rent first before deciding to purchase a home, for at least a year. Someone may tell you one thing, but when you experience it for yourself, that’s the proof in the pudding. Don’t be afraid to take chances. If it turns our your decision wasn’t the best choice, it’s not the end of the world. Always have a plan B and other options in case things don’t turn out the way you want them to. Also, be open-minded. I’ve lived in the South, so moving to Alabama was not a culture shock for me. I already knew how beautiful the Alabama and Florida Gulf Coast was, and despite the jeers and strange looks I received when I announced I was moving to Alabama, I knew what to expect. Don’t be influenced by ignorance and hearsay, experience it for yourself. You may just be surprised.