While walking down a busy street in Seoul, South Korea, last year, AccuWeather CEO Barry Lee Myers saw something that caught his eye.
High above the street, an advertisement for LG phones adorned a billboard. On the screen of the phone he saw something familiar — the AccuWeather forecast.
Thursday marked the 50th anniversary of the company that was started in a garage. Myers said no one could have foreseen the success that they’ve had.
“I don’t think anybody had that in their crystal ball,” he said.
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The company didn’t do anything special to celebrate the anniversary Thursday outside of acknowledging it in publications, but he said the organization will hold an open house event in the spring when the weather is nicer to recognize the achievement. The event is in the planning stages, and a date has yet to be decided.
Myers said the most rewarding part of the job is using forecasts to help people and increase safety. He cited AccuWeather’s reports before Hurricane Katrina that aided thousands of people who were able to get out of the city before the levees broke.
“I don’t think there’s anything more rewarding than helping people,” Myers said, adding “saving lives is the greatest help you can give.”
Myers thinks companies such as AccuWeather will have an increased place in people’s lives surrounding research on climate change. He said the phenomenon will continue for decades and tracking that impact and changing weather patterns will be a big part of their jobs.
He added that advancements in technology will also help to make improvements to the weather services they provide. Many smartphone users now rely on AccuWeather on the go.
Myers said he is looking forward to what the future may bring.
“I think the daily importance and value of AccuWeather in people’s lives will continue to grow,” he said.
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