Nicholas Lilja Email & Phone Number

United States

United States

Greater Hattiesburg Area

I manage all aspects of our online presence, including the nickelblock.com website and the NickelBlock Forecasting app. I lead the development and maintenance of automated scripting, AI/ML tools, and web development projects, ensuring weather forecast information is tailored to our clients' specific needs. I oversee a dynamic team, mentor interns, and collaborate with student and paid writers/scientists to produce educational content and multimedia stories. Currently, I'm expanding our offerings through partnerships with data vendors and developers, introducing a public-centric weather app, a specialized baseball forecast service, and enhanced proprietary severe weather analytics, while actively managing our social media campaigns to engage and inform our audience.

I held forecasting responsibilities for the US, Europe & Asia with a specialization in ERCOT demand & renewables production forecasting, too. I managed integrating advanced Python scripting for data assimilation, parsing, and enhanced visualization within our automated weather prediction processes. My role encompasses the leadership of all scripting operations, ensuring the production of precise 21-day spot forecasts for multiple sites across the globe. Additionally, I engage with data vendors to strengthen our forecast capabilities, delivering enriched, actionable insights to decision-makers. This strategic blend of technical expertise and collaborative effort optimizes our global weather forecasting accuracy and reliability.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi Area

I led the weather coverage, ensuring clear, concise life-saving weather information during severe weather and hurricanes. I managed the weather team, oversaw the maintenance of technical equipment, including computers and skycams, and developed captivating weather-related content. I worked closely with the Sales Dept to work to keep weather profitable for the TV station. My duties extended to anchoring the evening news, scripting and editing for science/weather segments, and reporting as needed. I was the on-air presence for most severe weather events within our DMA, producing and anchoring specialized broadcasts for severe weather and hurricanes. Additionally, I managed our weather blog and co-anchored the Friday night sports segment, demonstrating a deep commitment to delivering critical weather information and engaging content to our audience.

Hattiesburg, Mississippi Area

In my role as an Adjunct Professor, I developed and executed the curriculum for a 300-level course titled 'Introduction to Meteorology and Severe Weather Forecasting.' This comprehensive program not only introduces students to the fundamental aspects of meteorological sciences but also delves deeply into severe weather analysis and prediction techniques. My responsibilities extended beyond curriculum development to teaching this intricate subject matter, where I employed a blend of theoretical frameworks and practical applications to enhance student understanding and skills. Additionally, I contributed as a guest lecturer for various classes, sharing insights and expertise to enrich the broader academic community's knowledge in meteorology.

Shepherded courses produced by 2U through the build, internal review, and corrections process in an efficient and effective manner as possible. Wrote code in HTML and managed files in CMS.

Amarillo, Texas Area

I utilize WSI graphics while forecasting the weather in the Texas panhandle. I’ve set the standard for weather coverage in our market. I've tackled round-the-clock coverage of a historic blizzard, produced, anchored and directed online-only coverage of a Christmas Day snow storm using Google Hangouts and Youtube, and chased tornadoes all across the high plains, including the EF-5 tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma on May 31st, 2013. I also successfully utilized Google Hangouts to stream live content to the station - and over the air - from the field while storm chasing during the 2013 severe weather season.

United States

I managed a small - but successful - sports website with about a dozen writers. We started with the montra, "Breaking sports news and breaking it down" and we did. Directing my staff and working with all mediums, and disseminating our product via social media, we were able to reach over 250,000 people in the first quarter of 2011. We were one of the first sites with news of the Carmelo Anthony trade, one of the only America sites covering Chien-Ming Wong's father's suicide, and we're on the front lines of Harrison Barnes' decision to return to UNC.

Portland, Oregon

Sports reporter at weekly newspaper.

Portland, Oregon

I managed everything that was Echo Audio. In my short time at Echo I transformed discombobulation into order. I created an entire computer database from scratch, streamlined the service department, organized the entire store, created a shipping/receiving log to track merchandise, performed daily updates of the company website and helped clients make the world a better sounding place.

From May 2006 through April 2008 I was a reporter / columnist and added a weekly column to the newspaper and the occasional assignment. I started April 2008 as editor. I assigned reporters to game coverage, developed story ideas, maintained daily and hourly deadlines, edited all sports stories, designed page layout and worked with photography staff. I also wrote articles and took photos when reporters could not make it to events.I took the job as Sports Editor because the sports editor at the time quit without warning. While I didn’t feel I had time in the day, I knew if I didn’t step up that no one else would. I did so with no prior experience using any of the software and without training on how to run a section of a newspaper. But, with some dedication, by the start of the second week, I was comfortable on the software and job structure.

On-Air Talent: Collect AP sports news, produce and/or participate in a two-hour sports show on FM one night a week and convey news and sports topics, participate in a 30-minute TV show once a weekSports Director: Manage sports staff of five to ten people, train new members how to call play-by-play action, work with play-by-play staff and work with current KBVR staff on promotional events. Program Director: Create the on-air schedule, manage over 60 DJ’s and staff members, manage on-air quality, maintain efficiency of the on-air room, re-train current DJ’s on new equipment, conduct orientation meetings and train new DJs.At KBVR, I also learned everything I could about compliance with the FCC in regards to a non-profit station and what could and could not be said as well as how it could be said. I also engrossed myself in the RIAA regulations because we had an internet stream. I also filled in as the station engineer for the months KBVR was without an engineer. And I learned how to run, maintain and update the stations automated ENCO system.This job taught me a lot about myself and where my passion lies. I learned that I am a great motivator, teacher and coach. I learned how to manage volunteers and paid employees and how to get the most out of both at the same time.

Anchored and reported for the Beaver Sports Show

Masters, Broadcast Journalism

Activities and Societies: WJPZ

Earth Science, Oceanic And Atmospheric Sciences

Activities and Societies: University Student Media Committee, KBVR-TV, KBVR-FM, The Daily Barometer