About Us

With over 100 years of combined experience in meteorology, data science, hydrology, agriculture, and journalism, Weather Tools’ team brings a unique blend of expertise and real-world perspective to the water challenges facing California.

The California Annual Precipitation (CAP) report and California Reservoir Annual Forecast Tool (CRAFT) were developed by Rob Doornbos, Founder & CEO of Weather Tools.

Our Team

Rob Doornbos

Founder & CEO of Weather Tools, Inc.

Rob has been working in the weather business for 30 years. He received his Bachelor’s Degree (1990) and Master’s Degree (1993) in Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences from the University of Wisconsin – Madison. Shortly after graduating, he went to work for the National Weather Service (NWS) in Eureka, CA. He then moved within the NWS to the CA-NV River Forecast Center in Sacramento where he spent the next seven years of his career. His primary duties during that time revolved around precipitation forecasting and associated technology development. He had the opportunity to put those skills to the ultimate test during the New Year’s flood of 1997, which required an extraordinary degree of collaboration with the California Department of Water Resources.

Rob transitioned to the private sector in 2000 and spent time with several different companies, including Weather News (Director of Data & Aviation Services), Baron Services (Vice President, Research & Development), Vaisala (Strategic Business Unit Manager) and Exelis (Chief Scientist, Weather) over the next thirteen years. During that time and through the present, Rob and his wife, Kelly, also helped to manage their family’s rice operation in Northern California where they would start Weather Tools in 2013.

Rob and Kelly currently reside in Chico, CA.

Kelly Doornbos

Partner

Kelly Tennis Doornbos was born and raised in a rice farming family in Northern California. After graduating from the University of California at Davis (B.S. Agricultural and Managerial Economics), Kelly enjoyed working in the public policy arena, focusing on California agriculture and natural resource issues. Her favorite experiences included public education on the importance of California agriculture and its responsible use of water, project management, and research into State and Federal agencies and their programs, in addition to continued involvement in her family’s rice farming operation.

Since returning to Chico in 2013, Kelly has supported her husband Rob in both the rice farming and Weather Tools businesses. As Weather Tools continued to grow, Kelly proactively took on greater responsibilities for its administration and marketing. With the recent passing of her father, she is welcoming new administrative roles in the family’s farming corporation.Kelly serves her local city, church and agricultural community through volunteer leadership. She excels at large event planning, is quick to lend a hand, asks too many questions, and strives to be hospitable and loving to those around her. Kelly and Rob have three young adult children that they enjoy very much.

Headshot of Jackie

Jackie Miller

Manager, Data & Product Services

Jackie Miller is a Meteorologist with her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from the University of Oklahoma. Jackie has worked at Vaisala (Techniques Developer, Development Center for Meteorology), University of Texas at Dallas (Weather and Climate Instructor), and now Weather Tools (Manager, Data & Product Services). Jackie and her husband Adam and their 3 boys live in West Palm Beach, FL.

Don A. Wright

Manager, Key Relationships

Don A. Wright has more than 30-years' experience reporting on agricultural irrigation issues in California. His byline has appeared in many publications including: The Business Journal, Range Magazine and the Los Angeles Times. A graduate of Fresno State University, Wright lives east of Clovis, California where he publishes www.WaterWrights.net.

Randy Fiorini

Consultant, Technical Sales

Randy Fiorini is a lifetime family farmer with deep roots in California agriculture and a strong appreciation for the critical role of accurate weather forecasting. Over the past three decades, he has served in various elected and voluntary positions shaping local and regional water policy, gaining extensive experience in agricultural and urban water reservoir and supply planning and operations. In addition to his agricultural leadership, Randy is a longtime licensed commercial pilot, further reinforcing his understanding of the vital importance of precise weather forecasting for both farming and aviation safety.

Thad Bettner

Consultant, Technical Sales

Thad Bettner brings decades of leadership in California water management to the Weather Tools team. As the founder of Water Ecology, he offers deep expertise in balancing the complex relationships between water supply, agriculture, and the environment. Thad’s firsthand experience with resource planning strengthens Weather Tools’ ability to support water managers with actionable, forward-looking intelligence.

Rob Hartman

Consultant, Hydrology

Rob Hartman is a consulting hydrologist who retired as the Hydrologist in Charge (HIC) of the California-Nevada River Forecast Center (CNRFC), an office of NOAA’s National Weather Service in September 2016. Rob has 35 years of federal flood and water supply forecasting experience including 20 years in his former position. As HIC, Rob worked collaboratively to expand the breadth, depth, and application of CNRFC and NWS Hydrology Program services, develop leaders, and pioneer the implementation of innovative technologies. Rob’s experience includes all aspects of RFC operations, development, and management obtained in positions at three NWS River Forecast Centers, the USDA/Soil Conservation Service, and the NWS Office of Hydrologic Development.

As a consultant, Rob has been actively involved in the Forecast Informed Reservoir Operations (FIRO) project, research applications, and helping clients appropriately apply forecasts in their reservoir and flood management schemes. Rob has a B.S. degree in Forestry from Utah State University and an M.S. degree in Watershed Management from the University of Arizona.