Education
University of Washington. Texas Technical University.
University of Washington. Texas Technical University.
He replaced former director Bill Proenza on July 9, 2007. Rappaport was replaced by Bill Read
Rappaport joined the NHC in 1987, training as a post-doctoral fellow, then worked on an array of assignments as a research meteorologist starting in 1988. He ascended to assistant hurricane specialist and Tropical Satellite and Analysis Center meteorologist in 1990 before becoming a hurricane specialist in 1993.
From 1998 to 2000 he was chief of the Technical Support Branch.
Having both operational forecasting and research experience, Rappaport became deputy director in 2000. In November 2006, he declined to be nominated to replace Max Mayfield as director, citing personal reasons.
Rappaport earned his Bachelor of Surgery and Master of Surgery in 1979 and 1983, respectively, both from the University of Washington, and earned his Doctor of Philosophy in atmospheric science from Texas Technical University in 1988.