DAN'S PAPERS, September 25, 2009 Page 11 www.danshamptons.com
Jobs on the Job Interview with CEO of New “Green” Hampton Weather Center By Dan Rattiner Many changes have taken place at the Hampton Weather Center in the past few years, and we thought it might be a good time to go out there and visit with the new CEO, Sandy Jobs. As you know, the Hampton Weather Center is that 44-acre complex deep in the woods north of Deerfield Road in Water Mill, where the dazzling weather we have in the Hamptons from April to December is regulated. Originally built as a scientific research base for the wartime government in 1942, the facility was converted to commercial use shortly after the war. This is its 64th year in operation. The last time we visited the Center was in 2002, and a great deal has changed since then. Now you have to pass through heavy layers of security at the main gate—they have a whole building devoted to it—and then you have to be accompanied to the main offices by escorts. What a surprise this year to find the new airy welcome center just beyond the entrance. The 60year-old brick administration building constructed in 1949 has been torn down. Architect Robert A.M. Stern has designed a new facility of glass and steel that is pure poetry. Inside, we were offered herbal tea, then taken to the seating area at the eastern end of the main space. The forest, much of its greenery owed to the Center’s efforts, was visible all around just outside. Meanwhile, inside, hung from wires,
were black and white photographs of what the facility used to look like. These images were very familiar to me from my many visits over the years. Apparently, under the new leadership of CEO Sandy Jobs, everything changed. Jobs shortly appeared. He looks very much like his older brother Steve, a slender fellow in his early 40s with close-cropped hair and a wry smile. He wears the same black turtlenecks and
bathed in sunshine as much as possible. When massive amounts of cloud cover would move in from the west, the men had to work overtime. But they did get days off with pay to make up for it when the weather from the west was clear.” “I recall they had a children’s playground and a carousel. Also some pony rides,” I said. “Indeed they did. I wasn’t here at the time, but I know there were many picnics out in the field there. The men were often able to modify the weather, and they were proud of it. Hampton Weather frequently received plaques and awards for good work from various Chambers of Commerce in the area.” “That photo is of Scottie McTavish.” “Yup. The foreman. Looked like Scotty from ‘Star Trek,’ and basically did the same thing as the other Scotty—he got this place up to full power and beyond.” “Where is he now?” “Retired. In Florida, I’m told, playing golf when he can—he’s got black lung disease and the gout—and otherwise enjoying the weather.” “Which is much milder than here.” “Certainly is. They don’t need to control it. Except when the hurricanes come, and those, frankly, are beyond the ability of any weather center that I know.” “I thought this was the only one,” I said. “It was the first. Now there are numerous weather control centers around the country,
“The Hamptons would be bathed in sunshine as much as possible.” jeans as his brother. He greeted me with a firm handshake, then swept me off on a tour of the place, beginning with a narrative about the old photographs and what he found when he took over the reins three years ago. “This was a very labor-intensive operation,” he said. “I’m sure you remember it. We had about 400 local men shoveling coal and constantly adjusting and readjusting the valves and furnaces to send up into the atmosphere tremendous amounts of chemical-laced steam.” “I do remember it,” I said. “It was a tricky business, all about trying to disperse cloud cover so the Hamptons would be
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