We enjoyed learning more about Don Martin today as he delivered his new member "Classification Talk". We learned that Don spent most of his career leading Lion Precision, a maker of precision mechanical parts for semiconductor, packaging, research and machine tool customers. He and 5 other Minnesota colleagues started Lion after learning about a sensor company in Boston that was up for sale. By the time Don retired in 2019, the company had grown to over 30 employees and soon thereafter, Lion was acquired by Carlisle Companies. Don graduated from Iowa State in electrical engineering.
Today's speaker was Joseph M. Ziskovsky, son of our own Joe Ziskovsky. Joseph had an early interest in meteorology and, upon graduation from college, become an on-air meteorologist for several television stations before becoming a leader in the weather data industry with "The Weather Company". The Weather Company is the world's largest weather forecasting and information technology company. It owns and operates the website for The Weather Channel and Weather Underground and employees over 100 meteorologists - all working to ensure that meteorologists stay relevant by continuing to improve the accuracy of weather forecasting in these days of intensifying weather patterns. Weather has a major impact in all of our lives and in many industries. The aviation industry, in particular, is hugely impacted by weather. 70% of all air traffic delays are due to inclement weather, costing the industry over $30 billion.