The faces behind the scenes of Crosswinds Research and Chasing.

Have you ever wondered what its like to be part of a Storm Chasing group or maybe a Disaster Response group? Crosswinds Research and Chasing has multiple departments that helps keep it going strong as well as multiple regions that our members belong to. Here is a look into the faces of the members who help the team grow,

Front Row: Christina, Megan, Michele, Monte and Jason

Back Row: David, Monnica , Robert and Darin

Not pictured youth members : James, Jonathan and Anthony

Here's a little get to know about our members.

Plainville and Hays Region team

Christina Turley Leiker.

Hey there everyone. I grew up in a western Kansas town named Leoti. Having the joy of being raised in a small town gave me the opportunity to see the joy of nature at its wildest. Ive loved weather since i was 10 years old and always enjoyed it when I would go spotting with my dad growing up. I was Lucky to meet a amazing man who was also crazy about weather back in 2014, which was when He brought me into his storm chasing team. In the year 2015 I created the Crosswinds Research and chasing as a Live facebook storm chasing team, with my boyfriend and now husband Jason. We are proud to see that it has grown so much. I have taken a back seat to doing live feeds since I do have a full time job as a C.N.A., but you can will still see me on live feeds when i am not at work.

Jason A. Leiker

hello everyone, I was raised in Hays Kansas and has been storm chasing for 15+ years. I was part of a storm chasing team called Kansas Twisters T.R.A.C. In the year 2014 I met Christina and we was with TRAC until we decided to make our own storm chasing team called Crosswinds Research and Chasing. I have two sons who are youth members. In 2018 Christina and I got married and decided to make Crosswinds into more than just a storm chasing group.

Salina Regional Team

David Becker

Hi, im David and I live in Salina, Kansas, I am originally from Plainville, Kansas. I work at Dillons and are in the Special Olympics. I joined Crosswinds because, I enjoy weather and storm spotting. I am a Storm Spottor for Crosswinds Research and Chasing. I help with preparedness at events along with doing multiple live feeds on the Facebook page. In 2021 I was offered and accepted the role of the Salina Regional Team Leader.

Megan Lauritzen

Hello everyone, my name is Megan. I am originally from Courtland, Kansas and moved to Salina, Kansas. I am part of the Special Olympics I am a event member and also a sponcer for Crosswinds Research and Chasing.

Darin Stevens

Hello, my name is Darin Stevens, I live in Salina Kansas. I love being around animals and part of the Special Olympics team. I am a Sponcer for Crosswinds Research and Chasing along with part of the events and preparedness departments.

Monte Worth

Hi, Im Monte. I live in Salina, Kansas where i work for Dillions food stores and have multiple other jobs. I have multiple hobbies which one is playing the saxaphone. I was introduced to the team as a volunteer but becmae a member when I started to play the Saxaphone once a month on the Facebook page along with taking parts in events which includes festivals and parades. I help David with Weather updates on live feeds.

Michele Hays

I am Michele, I accepted the role of Event Coordinator for Crosswinds Research and Chasing. I help find and get events lined up for our event and preparedness teams. I enjoy doing live feeds with David for severe weather or live feeds for events thats coming up. . I am working full time job at Child Advocacy and Parenting Services. I graduated from Kansas Wesleyan with an Associate in Arts degree for Early Childhood education .

Robert Miller

Hi, I am Robert. I was born and raised in Salina, Kansas. I always enjoyed weather. I am David's storm spotting partner for Crosswinds Research and Chasing. I do live feeds for severe weather, prepardness, and events that the team is getting ready for. I work a full time job at Lowes. I enjoy listing to music.

Gusty Patterson

Hey everyone, I am Gusty. I live in Salina, Kansas. I am a new member of Crosswinds Research and Chasing. I am a storm spotter, along with Megan's partner for live feeds and attending events for preparedness. I am part of the Special Olympics along.

Abilene Regional Team

Monnica Westendorf

Hi everyone, I am Monnica. I work multiple jobs. I have one son who is a youth member. I bcame a follower for Crosswinds back in 2017 and accepted the storm spotting role for the team in 2018. I was promoted to Abilene Region Team Leader in 2021. I enjoy joining in with up-to-date information for the live feeds on the Facebook page. I attend multiple events for Crosswinds Research and Chasing.

Crosswinds Research and Chasing has four departments in which our members and volunteers can enjoy being part of those include Preparedness, Storm Spotter/Chaser, Disaster Response Team, and the Events team. Once you decide which department you would like to be part of we look into what region you would be able to be listed under. If no region is near you we will train you to become a Region Team Leader.

For More information on joining Crosswinds Research and Chasing message us on the website, or on our Facebook page Crosswinds Research and Chasing. We will love to have you join us as either a member or a volunteer for an event or a Responce effort for a local disaster. We have plenty of Prepardness materials we can hand you or we suggest to visit these websites,

www.Fema.gov

www.ready.gov

www.weather.gov

Dont Forget to be Weather warn, along with knowing how to Plan, Prepare, and Stsy Informed.