ABOUT US
For 28 years and counting, we have provided specialized marine weather forecasting and routing for sailing and cruising yachts worldwide.
What sets us apart from the numerous sources of free weather data available on the web, is that we provide our clients with an in-depth understanding of the entire weather situation that basic weather data alone cannot fully provide. What makes our services unique, particularly in racing, is that we believe it is important for our clients to understand the “how and why” behind their forecast. We let you know what future scenarios you can expect based on the observations around you, and how they might change. Many of our clients have successfully used this weather knowledge to enhance their race strategy, or to better plan their cruising voyage.
We value the human component in our services, so we offer the unique ability for you to speak with a forecaster by phone or e-mail, 365 days a year. Additionally, we do web briefings and travel to regattas and events on-site.
We’d love to work with your crew’s next voyage or regatta!
MEET THE TEAM
Chris Wasserback
Co-Owner/Meteorologist
Chris' first interest in weather came as a teenager when in Boy Scouts and going for the Weather Merit Badge. For this, he had to keep daily log of weather conditions, and continues to do this 30+ years later. Chris decided to make career out of tracking the weather and went to Western Connecticut State University, graduating in 1995. Chris has been with Commanders' Weather since 1999. He enjoyed being part of the One World Challenge Team when in New Zealand from 2000-2001.
Some of his outdoor interests include hiking, biking, and canoeing around New Hampshire and New England.
Dr. Alice Ren
Dr. Alice Ren has a PhD in physical oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography in San Diego and currently works at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI). Her interest in the ocean started with a class at Duke University that combined her interests in the natural environment and mathematics. At WHOI she works with ocean underwater gliders observing the Gulf Stream.
Faith Eherts
Meteorologist
Faith started at Commanders' in the spring of 2019 after spending a few years at a major weather company. She has a meteorology degree from Penn State and is a die-hard fan of all things PSU. She has always loved all kinds of weather, as long as it isn't the same for too long. In her spare time she enjoys running, hiking, skiing, kayaking, playing soccer, and rooting for the Eagles. Since moving back to New England from central PA, she has found ample opportunity for all but one of those things!
Oliver Lucia
Co-Owner/Meteorologist
Oliver joined Commanders' Weather in May 2004. Prior to that, he worked at a major weather forecasting company for over 5 and a half years, forecasting for a large variety of sectors including marine, utilities, ski areas and public works departments. He has over 17 years of forecasting experience. Oliver earned his Bachelor's of Science degree in Meteorology at Plymouth State College in New Hampshire in 1998. His interest in weather dates back to around the 6th grade.
His hobbies outside of weather include cooking, gardening, hunting, hiking, weight lifting and photography.
Brynn Campbell
Office Manager/Meteorologist
Brynn received her Meteorology degree at the University of Lowell. She has worked for over 20 years in Technical Support and Marine Weather Forecasting. Brynn loved spending the better part of 4 years in Auckland supporting America's Cup racing and enjoyed onsite support of the Brazilian Olympic Sailing Team in Weymouth, England and Rio de Janeiro.
Besides enjoying her techie and forecasting challenges, some of her other interests are traveling and history.
Sebastian Arroyo
Meteorologist
Sebastian's passion for weather began when he checked out the movie "Twister" from the library at the crisp age of three years old. The routine storm chasing exercises he put his Hot Wheels through has evolved into the daily tracking of vessels here at Commanders' Weather. Sebastian went to Ohio University, where he obtained his GS in Geography/Meteorology in 2018, and wrestled during his first couple years on campus. Before joining Commanders' in the spring of 2022, he was a weather router at Fleet Weather from 2019-2020 and worked at Energy Forecasting Solutions from 2020-2021. His favorite weather features are the clouds that roll through the sky every day. Sebastian's interests outside of work include fantasy football, wrestling, photography, storm chasing, and most importantly, cloud watching.
Ken Campbell
Lead Meteorologist
For Ken, watching the weather was an interest that started early and continued throughout his life. From the time he drew weather maps at five years old, he always knew he wanted to be a meteorologist. At age ten, Ken started playing golf and cloud-watching was inevitably part of the fun, which it still is for him today - 50 years later. The first time he stepped foot on a sailboat was on an America’s Cup yacht in 1995, off San Diego. His first thought: “How is that cloud over there going to affect the winds?” (Actually, his first thought was, “How in the world do I get onto this sailboat from the rib?”) Since then, he has taken great pleasure in helping sailors all over the world to better understand clouds, winds, and weather.
B.S. The Florida State University, 1977, M.S. The Florida State University 1979, Thesis “Frontal Passages on Mars”.
Weather forecaster in all America’s Cup since 1995
Weather forecaster in all Whitbread/Volvo Ocean Races since 1997
Weather forecaster in all Summer Olympics since 1996
Evan Gys
Meteorologist
For Evan, getting stuck on the side of the highway in a bus on his way back from Cooperstown as a young kid during the 2011 New England tornado outbreak and witnessing the power of the atmosphere is what cemented his passion/love for weather. From there he went on to get his BS & MS in Atmospheric Science from the University of Massachusetts - Lowell in 2021, spending his off time as co-captain of the club billiards team. Thunder and lightning continue to be his favorite weather features. Other interests include golfing, following motor sports, billiards, and always keeping an eye on the weather.
Tom Mattus
Part-Time Meteorologist
Tom has 49 years private weather and marine forecasting experience and received his Bachelors degree in Meteorology from Penn State University. He spent 12 years as a supervisor for a major weather forecasting company, and has put in 26 years marine forecasting experience including racing and routing. He also has other experience, such as snow and ice forecasting.