Growing up in St. Louis, Missouri, Kent's interest in weather grew with each thunderstorm until he decided to major in Meteorology at the University of Missouri. Graduating in 1985 with a Bachelor's Degree in Atmospheric Science, Kent got his first job with the National Weather Service in Youngstown, Ohio as a Meteorologist Intern. In just 2 1/2 years he was promoted to Journeyman Forecaster and transferred to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Bismarck, North Dakota. After spending 6 years in Bismarck, he received another promotion to Forecaster-In-Charge and transferred to the National Weather Service Forecast Office in Atlanta (Peachtree City), GA where he spent the next 25 years. After 33 1/2 years of service in the National Weather Service, Kent retired on May 22, 2019. He and his wife started AMB Weather where he has provided weather support for the Georgia League, Chain Buster Racing and Go Nuts Bike Racing.
Kent got connected with the Georgia Cycling Association (formerly the Georgia Interscholastic Cycling League) when he became a coach for the Coweta Composite Team in 2017. Georgia League Director, Kenny Griffin, contacted Kent when Hurricane Nate threatened one of the races back in 2017. This eventually led to the formation of the Weather Committee, and the formation of the Weather Policy for the Georgia League in 2018. Since then, Kent has continued to provide weather support for the Georgia Cycling Association, plus he has been the Team Director for his local Georgia Cycling Team.
Kent loves to mountain bike and loves to race. He has been mountain biking for over 20 years but has only been racing since 2016. In 2018, Kent took 1st Place in his division in the Go Nuts Racing Series and was also the USA Regional Cycling Champion in his division.
Career Highlights with the National Weather Service
- Planned and conducted a Hazardous Weather Course for the Georgia Public Safety Training Center for 9 years where he taught Emergency Managers, Police, First Responders, Military and other law enforcement officials the hazards of weather and how to respond.
- Presented the Hurricane Outlook at the beginning of the Hurricane Season for the CDC in Atlanta for the past 5 years.
- Headed the Student Volunteer Program at the NWS Atlanta office for 9 years.
- In April 2017, he conducted a tornado survey on a storm that went through his local trail system. This was the first time a National Weather Service meteorologist conducted a survey on a mountain bike!