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Paul Trotter was the meteorologist-in-charge at the New Orleans/Baton Rouge Weather Forecast Office in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina made landfall.
Paul Trotter was the Meteorologist-In-Charge of the New Orleans/Baton Rouge Weather Forecast Office when Hurricane Katrina struck the coast in 2005. During his 36-year career, Trotter served as a mentor — both professionally and in his community — and left a legacy of focusing on people and fulfilling NOAA's mission through teamwork.
In this video, Trotter reflects on his career, his “people matter” approach to the job, and the importance of a diverse workforce.
About this series
The NOAA Legends video series highlights people of color who were “firsts” in NOAA science, service, and stewardship. Our history is rich with unique stories and experiences of staff from all kinds of cultures and backgrounds—some shared, some very distinct — and many of these stories stretch back before NOAA’s creation. These interviews help us tell the stories behind the motivations, challenges, and defining moments these unsung heroes experienced to support NOAA’s mission. You can view additional Legends interviews with RADM Evelyn Fields, Dr. Ambrose Jearld, and Georgia Madrid.