Chief Meteorologist | lezak@nbcactionnews.com

Gary developed a passion for weather as he learned his first words. Growing up in Southern California, he was fascinated by clouds and rain, but always wondered why the weather seemed to be more exciting in other places. After graduating from high school in 1980, he decided to pursue a Bachelors of Science degree in Meteorology and headed off to the University of Oklahoma.

Shortly after receiving his degree in 1985, Gary became an intern at the CBS affiliate in Oklahoma City. It was there that he got his first big break when he was hired as Meteorologist of the morning show and midday news program for the number one station in the market.

In 1992, Gary made the move to Kansas City and was quickly accepted by local viewers. In 1999 Gary became Chief Meteorologist at KSHB, NBC ACTION NEWS. He established himself and his weather team as the most accurate in Kansas City and has been #1 in forecasting not only during his time at KSHB but since he arrived here in 1992.

An animal lover, Gary has been known to share air-time with his well known dogs. Windy lived to a nice old age of almost 17 years old. Breezy and Stormy now carry on Windy's legacy of going out in the public with Gary. Both Breezy and Stormy were adopted from the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.

By far, the biggest challenge in Gary's life was being diagnosed with cancer in 1999. It was a very rare form called extra-skeletal osteogenic sarcoma. Only six adults a year are diagnosed with the same form of cancer in the United States. The doctors discovered it was very aggressive and recommended Gary undergo extensive chemotherapy to ensure the cancer was removed from his body. Two surgeries to remove the cancer were performed before chemotherapy treatments could begin. Gary is now cancer free since 2000 and celebrates every day!

Meteorologist/Kansas City Live Co-Host | anthony@nbcactionnews.com

Brett joined NBC Action News as meteorologist of the morning show in 2002. He comes to us from WOIO and WUAB in Cleveland where he was the weekend meteorologist since 1999.

Brett has 20 years experience as a meteorologist, 13 of those in Missouri. He has worked in Joplin, Springfield, Cape Girardeau, and Cleveland, Ohio.

A graduate of Western Kentucky University, Brett majored in meteorology and geography. He also holds a degree in Broadcasting from Southern Illinois University-Carbondale.

Brett holds the American Meteorological Society's Seal of Approval, as well as the National Weather Association's Seal of Approval.

Unlike his counterpart Gary Lezak, Brett is a cat person. He and his wife of 15 years, Sherri, have one cat, Parker. When he doesn't have his head in the clouds, Brett enjoys adding to his extensive baseball collection and spending time with his wife and two boys, Seth and Aaron. He says he spends a lot of time "refereeing small skirmishes between the boys."

Meteorologist | jnelson@nbcactionnews.com

Jeremy joined the NBC Action Weather Plus team in November 2006 as the weekend Meteorologist. You can catch his forecasts all weekend long both in the mornings and during the evening newscasts.

Jeremy grew up in Windom, MN, a town of about 4,000 people in southwest Minnesota. Growing up he experienced first hand what has been referred to as the 'storm of the century in Minnesota', the 1991 Halloween Blizzard. Along with blizzards and cold weather, Jeremy also had a chance to enjoy severe weather season each spring and summer living on the northern end of tornado alley. His love for the weather at an early age can be attributed to the ever changing weather he experienced in Minnesota.

After living in Minnesota for 18 years it was off to Madison, WI to attend the University of Wisconsin, one of the top Meteorology schools in the nation. Jeremy graduated in 2000 with a degree in Meteorology. While in college, he worked for a private weather company and local television station providing live forecasts for area radio stations and gaining experience in the broadcast field.

Before coming to NBC Action News Jeremy worked as a Meteorologist for WLUC in Marquette, MI. While in Marquette he experienced the snowiest winter on record with 272" of snow! After digging out of the snow, Jeremy was off to Madison, WI where he was Chief Meteorologist at WMSN for five years. Jeremy holds the American Meteorological Seal of Approval and is a member of the National Weather Association. Now, Jeremy is proud to work with the most knowledgeable and experienced weather staff in Kansas City.

When not forecasting the weather, Jeremy enjoys spending time with his wife and young daughter, Avery. He also enjoys playing basketball, working out, and watching all types of sports. Jeremy says he is a die hard Badger fan, so he can stay out of any debates between KU and Missouri fans.

Weather Producer | penner@nbcactionnews.com

When Jeff was a youngster, he was a weather fanatic and that hasn't changed in the past thirty years. As a child, he would create wind using the doors in the house. (His mom can tell you how he would also throw paper in front of the doors to watch them fly.) At fifteen, Jeff had the chance to become a weather spotter for a local television station. As he grew up, he realized the study of weather would be an important part of his life.

A native of Kansas City, Jeff grew up across state line in Prairie Village. Over the years, he's experienced some of the most incredible weather Kansas City has ever seen - the Plaza flood of 1977, the winters of '77-'78 and '78-'79 which produced two 10" snow storms in one week, and an ice storm that crippled the city in March 1984.

As Weather Producer for NBC Action News, Jeff assists with producing weather graphics, researching weather trends and patterns, and miscellaneous weather operations. Of his ten years in meteorology, many of those have been spent working alongside Gary Lezak and being a part of Kansas City's most accurate forecasting team.

A graduate of The Barstow School, Jeff received his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He's also a member of the National Weather Association and The American Meteorological Society.

When he's not producing in the NBC Action Forecast Center, Jeff also utilizes his weather expertise as a private weather consultant, consulting for construction companies, agricultural commodity companies and other companies whose industries are affected by the weather.

In addition to his weather interests, Jeff is a huge sports fan and loves following the Chiefs and Royals. He also enjoys biking. Jeff and his wife Edi got married December 31, 2005 at Gary Lezak's house. Their son, Skyler Hayden Penner, was born April 23, 2006.