Dave Brown
Action News 5’s long-time chief meteorologist Dave Brown has announced that he will retire on August 31st. Ron Childers, who has trained with Brown for 25 years, will take over the lead role on September 1st.
Brown is an Emmy Award-winning meteorologist with a 53-year career in radio and TV. He’s worked for WMC Action News 5 for 38 years. Brown says he began planning for his retirement three years ago.
“Three years ago, I met with our management team and told them that I was looking at retirement in the near future,” said Brown. “With their full support, we developed a plan that we hoped would allow a smooth transition. That plan moved into the next phase one year ago when I requested a much-reduced schedule. They agreed and we began the transition in which Ron Childers would take over the main weather responsibilities.”
Brown will continue to host special events for WMC and will continue in his role as chief meteorologist emeritus.
“Whether he was forecasting weather, keeping Jerry Lawler and the gang in line, or spinning records at the very beginning of his career, Dave Brown has been a leader and a friend to the Mid-South,” said WMC Action News 5 Vice President and General Manager Tracey Rogers. “I am honored to have had the chance not once, but twice to work alongside Dave. I can’t thank Dave enough for his service to the Mid-South and I am proud he will continue with the WMC Action News 5 family as we transition the leadership of the WMC Action News 5 Storm Team. Ron Childers has been training with Dave for 25 years and I am ecstatic Ron will be moving into the role of Chief Meteorologist as Dave continues his partnership with WMC Action News 5.”
Childers has worked for WMC since 1989. He first met Brown when he was a kid, and he calls the esteemed weather man a “legend.”
“I grew up watching Dave Brown,” said Childers. “One of my fondest memories is of meeting Dave when I was a young boy. Little did anyone know at the time, that one day Dave would give this kid from Parkway Village an opportunity that would forever change my life. It has been a privilege to work alongside this legend in Memphis television for the past 25 years. He has been there for me on my days of greatest accomplishment and my saddest days. He is without a doubt one of the kindest and most genuine individuals that I have ever had the pleasure of knowing. To now be in a position to take over the reins of a weather empire that he built is truly humbling. I can only hope and pray that I continue to live up to the standard that he has set and maintained for so many years.”