Featured Speaker: Harvey Leonard

Harvey Leonard joined WCVB-TV Channel 5 in June 2002 as WeatherCenter 5's co-chief meteorologist. On August 15, 2002, Leonard began serving as meteorologist for 5:30 and 11 PM editions of NewsCenter 5.

Prior to joining WCVB-TV, Leonard served as chief meteorologist for WHDH-TV from May 1977 to April 2002. He also served as chief meteorologist at WPRI-TV in Providence, RI. Leonard began his career as a meteorologist for Universal Weather, Inc. preparing forecasts for aviation and industry.

Widely regarded as one of Boston's top meteorologists, Leonard is the 1999 winner of the prestigious “Award for Outstanding Service by a Broadcast Meteorologist” from the American Meteorological Society. In addition, Leonard earned two New England Emmy Awards for outstanding achievement in television weathercasting, and he has been named “Best Meteorologist” by Boston Magazine 1984, 1986, 1988 and 1994 and has been dubbed the Hub’s “favorite forecaster” by the Improper Bostonian. Most recently, Leonard was named as a fellow of the American Meteorologist Society.

Leonard is actively involved in numerous local organizations including the Huntington’s Disease Society of America. As a supporter of the society, Leonard participates in several annual fundraisers to further the goal of finding a cure for Huntington's while providing support and services for those living with the disease and their families. Leonard also lends his support to Boston Medical Center, the primary teaching affiliate for the Boston University School of Medicine. Additionally, he is a regular speaker at educational seminars held by the Massachusetts Emergency Management Association and an avid supporter of the Blue Hill Weather Observatory. In the past, Leonard has served as an honored guest speaker at Harvard Business School and the Massachusetts of Technology (MIT).

Over the years, Leonard has visited and spoken to hundreds of school and adult groups. He has served as a mentor to numerous aspiring meteorologists and today more than a dozen of his protege serve as on-air meteorologists in markets across the country.

Leonard received a Bachelor of Science degree in meteorology from City College of New York, and went on to receive a Master of Science degree in meteorology from New York University, where he also served as an instructor in meteorology.

Special Music: Gail Hatfield

Gail Hatfield, soloist, has been the Alto soloist at the First Baptist Church (FBC) in Lexington since 1987. She is a lifelong member at this church and has also taught the Junior Choir, YESS Choir, ages 12 to 17 (Youth Engaged in Spiritual Song), and currently directs the Children’s Choir, ages 5 to 12. On an as needed basis, Gail has also been the substitute choir director. She and her husband David, also help run the Joyful Noise Coffee House, a folk music concert series. The purpose of the FBC coffeehouse is to bring the best folk and acoustic music to Lexington and to generate funds for local charities.  The Joyful Noise Coffeehouse started in the fall of 1991, is in its fourteenth season and has raised over $50,000 for local charities. Ms. Hatfield’s full time job is the Director of the Learning in Retirement Department at Carleton-Willard Village, a continuing care retirement community in Bedford, MA where she has been for 9 years. She resides in Chelmsford with her husband David and very playful collie, Kelly.

Carol Pearson, pianist, plays regularly for the Jazz Brunch at the Bull Run in Shirley, MA. Whether playing solo jazz piano or with a duo/trio combo, the audience is sure to be pleased with her style, repertoire and personality. Carol and Gail are mother and daughter. Carol was the Junior Choir accompanist at the FBC for 11 years while Gail sang in the choir. They have a strong passion for Christian music and the fondness that the joy of music brings to all.