Daniel Farris

Title
Adjunct Assistant Professor
Email
Department
Department of Undergraduate Studies
College
College of Aviation

Office Hours

Saturdays: 8:00 AM to 1:00 PM Pacific Time (702-232-0410) Other days or times are available by appointment. Email, text or call for an appointment time. I will usually respond as soon as possible and within 24 hours. If you would prefer direct one-on-one contact, we can meet in my Eaglevision Zoom virtual office.

Areas of Expertise

Aviation Weather

Howdy!  I am currently the Supervisory Meteorologist, Chief of Weather Station Operations for a highly technical, specialized USAF weather organization at a location in Las Vegas, Nevada.

I was born in Louisville, Kentucky.  My family moved to the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia, in 1975 and I lived there while completing elementary and high school education.    I attended Texas A&M University and graduated in August 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology.

Commissioned through the Reserve Officer Training Corp Program while a member of the Corps of Cadets at Texas A&M, I received my commission as a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Air Force on 14 August 1992.

My first assignment was at Barksdale AFB, where I held positions at the Wing level as a weather forecaster and Wing Weather Officer.  I planned, provided and coordinated mission-critical weather support to the 2nd Bomb Wing and 917th Wing.  While at Barksdale AFB, I volunteered in the Spring of 1994 to deploy for a three month rotation to the United Arab Emirates supporting Operation SOUTHERN WATCH as the OIC of weather support to U.S. air operations at the 4413th Air Refueling Squadron (Provisional).

In August 1995, as a 1st Lieutenant, I was competitively selected to participate as a student in the inaugural meteorology class within the School of Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology at Wright-Patterson AFB.  I completed 69 quarter hours, plus thesis, in 18 months and graduated with a Master of Science degree in Meteorology in March 1997.

I was promoted to Captain on 14 November 1996.  In April 1997, I assumed a position as weather flight commander and staff meteorologist at a location in Las Vegas, Nevada.  While at this assignment, I completed the 98-A resident class of the USAF Squadron Officer School and was a Distinguished Graduate.

In March 2001, I decided to voluntarily separate from the Air Force after 8 ½ years of service to my country.  I was offered and accepted a job in my present position as SM-CWSO, Federal civil service NH-III, Tier 2 (GS-13 equivalent), working at the same location in Las Vegas, Nevada.  I am also the Staff Meteorologist for my organization.   I have won the Civilian of the Quarter award for my unit seven times: in July-September 2003, in July-September 2007, in January-March 2013, October-December 2021, October-December 2022, April-June 2023, and October-December 2023.  I was awarded the Non-Supervisory Civilian of the Year for 2013.  In August 2014, I also assumed the ADO position for our unit.  I was awarded the unit Supervisory Civilian of the Year for 2015, 2016 and 2021.

I am a meteorologist with over 31 years of experience working for the military in an operational Base Weather Station and over 27 years of experience as a military Staff Meteorologist.  I am also a certified military dual forecaster/observer for METAR observations, TAF forecasts, and aviation weather briefs to military aircrews.

My military decorations include the Air Force Commendation Medal and the Southwest Asia Service Medal.

I am a former member of the American Meteorological Society.  I have also been an adjunct instructor for Embry-Riddle University since 1998, teaching their graduate and undergraduate meteorology classes at the Nellis AFB campus.  In April 2003, I was awarded the ERAU Extended Campus Southwest Region Outstanding Faculty Award.  In 2012, I was the Las Vegas Campus Adjunct Faculty Member of the Year.  In 2007, I completed Embry Riddle’s faculty requirements to become an online instructor for ERAU, and have been teaching WEAX 201 online since May 2008.  I have taught WEAX 201 in the ERAU Las Vegas campus classroom and also through Eaglevision Home since May 2010.  I have taught WEAX 301 Online since August 2023.

I am married to the former Ms. Susan Lesti of Stow, Ohio and we reside in Las Vegas, Nevada with our adorable, lovable dogs – Simba and Tinkerbell (and Jasmine across the Rainbow Bridge in doggy heaven).  Amen and Bow Wow.

  • M.S. - Master of Science in Meteorology, Air Force Institute of Technology-Graduate School of Engineering & Management
  • B.S. - Bachelor of Science in Meteorology, Texas A & M University
  • WEAX 201: Meteorology I

2023 - WEAX 301 - Aug OL

2023 - WEAX 201 - Jan OL, Feb OL, Jul OL, Sep OL, Nov OL

2022 - WEAX 201 - Jan OL, Mar OL, May EVH, Aug OL

2021 - WEAX 201 - Feb OL, Mar OL, May OL, Sep OL, Sep (2) OL

2020 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH, Jan OL, Feb OL, Apr OL, Jun OL, Jul OL, Aug OL, Oct OL, Oct (2) OL

2019 - WEAX 201 - Jan OL, Mar OL, May OL, Jun OL, Jul OL, Aug OL

2018 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH, Feb OL, May OL, Aug OL, Oct OL

2017 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH BL, Mar EVH BL, Apr OL, May EVH, Oct OL

2016 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH BL, Mar EVH, Mar OL, May OL, Aug EVH BL, Aug OL, Sep OL, Oct EVH BL, Nov OL

2015 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH, Feb OL, Mar EVC BL, May EVC BL, May EVH, Aug EV Hybrid BL, Oct OL

2014 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH BL, Jan OL, Mar EVH BL, Mar OL, May EVC BL, Aug EVH

2013 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH, Feb OL, Mar Classroom, Mar OL, May EVH, Jul OL, Aug EVH BL, Oct EVH BL

2012 - WEAX 201 - Jan EVH, Feb OL, Mar Classroom, Apr OL, Jul OL, Sep OL, Oct OL

2011 - WEAX 201 - Jan OL, Mar EVH, Apr OL, May OL, Sep OL, Oct OL, Oct EVH

2010 - WEAX 201 - Jan OL, Feb OL, Apr OL, May Classroom, Jun OL, Jul OL, Aug Classroom, Sep OL, Oct OL

2009 - WEAX 201 - May OL, Jul OL, Oct OL, Nov OL

2008 - WEAX 201 - May OL, Aug OL, Oct OL

2004 - ASCI 517 - Jan Classroom

2003 - WEAX 201 - Jan Classroom

2002 - MAS 517 - Oct Classroom

2001 - MAS 517 - Oct Classroom

2000 - MAS 517 - Jun Classroom

1998 - MAS 517 - Oct Classroom





2001 - Present - Supervisory Meteorologist, NH-III, Dept. of the Air Force

1993-2001 - Wing Weather Office, United States Air Force