Meet the Team

Paul founded Praedictix, originally named WeatherNation, in 2008. Paul has enjoyed an extensive career as a meteorologist with over 40 years of experience consulting for media and weather-sensitive businesses. Focused on personalizing the weather experience for corporate needs and consumer applications, Douglas is working with the development team to find new ways to add value. Previous companies include EarthWatch Communications, which brought 3D weather graphics to TV stations worldwide. Steven Spielberg used his graphics in the movies “Jurassic Park” and “Twister”. His previous company, Digital Cyclone, was the first company to put an app on a cell phone in 2001. Garmin acquired Digital Cyclone in 2007, allowing Douglas to build a new team — one focused on next-generation weather solutions and applications for an always-on, mobile-centric world.

Susie is passionate about communicating the science of weather. Susie began her career in the Fall of 2005 after graduating cum laude from the University of Miami with a B.S. in Meteorology/Mathematics. She spent 3 years in the Quad Cities area before moving to Minnesota to join the Praedictix team. Susie has been a part of Praedictix since 2008 and now serves as President. As a seasoned meteorologist, Susie specializes in broadcast weather as well as consulting meteorology. She also is the general manager and climate analyst of Climatrends, a company specializing in climate scenario analysis to help companies become more adaptable and resilient in the face of climate change. Susie grew up in Costa Rica and is bilingual (English/Spanish).  She is a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) and is on the bilingual CBM reviewing panel for the American Meteorological Society. 

In her spare time, Susie enjoys traveling (especially to the national parks), camping, singing, and cycling. Most of all, she loves spending time with her family. 

Alyssa was raised in Minnesota where she fell in love with all four seasons and took her love of math and science to the University of North Dakota where she graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Atmospheric Science. Alyssa interned with KARE 11 before heading out to her first job in Little Rock, Arkansas. Alyssa was pulled back to the Midwest where she spent 3 years as the morning Meteorologist for WXOW in La Crosse, WI. During her time in La Crosse, she became a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) through the American Meteorological Society and was awarded Best Weathercast in 2021 from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

Away from the green screen, Alyssa loves to spend time outdoors, whether that is hitting the lakes on her boat or skiing in the winter months. She has  a German Shepard named Phoebe, that she adores and loves to bring along on her adventures.

Brandon’s calling to weather began with the family name. He and his wife changed the “s” to a “z” to carry on a piece of her maiden name, so “Weatherz” truly is his real name. The weather themes continued as Brandon grew up near St. Cloud and attended a high school whose mascot was Storm. Brandon earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology from St. Cloud State University in 2018, then spent 6 years in Duluth with WDIO. In that time, his weather education segment earned two Upper Midwest Emmy Awards, and he became a Certified Broadcast Meteorologist (CBM) through the American Meteorological Society. Brandon has also freelanced for KSTP and Minnesota Public Radio. Outside of weather, Brandon has a passion for theater. He’s always happy to visit local productions and catch professional shows touring through the Twin Cities.

Cassie was born and raised in Minnesota where she graduated from St. Cloud State University in 2015. During her time there, she was the chief meteorologist for UTVS and interned with the morning news team at KARE 11 in the Twin Cities. After graduating, Cassie moved to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where she was the morning meteorologist with WLUC TV6 News in Marquette. While working in the U.P., Cassie enjoyed covering the numerous lake effect snow events as well as working closely with the National Weather Service. Outside of work, Cassie enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter on one of Minnesota’s many lakes.

Daniel (D.J.) Kayser grew up with a passion for weather, knowing from the age of four that he was going to be a meteorologist. He graduated in the spring of 2012 from St. Cloud State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Meteorology. At Praedictix, D.J. produces graphics for usage on-air and online as well as researches weather stats and data. You can also find him as part of the on-air, forensic and weather briefing teams. Outside of work, he and his wife, Rebecca, enjoy spending free time out in the great outdoors.

Raised in Minnesota, Gretchen studied Meteorology at the University of Miami in Florida and the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, graduating from Miami with a major in Meteorology and minors in Physics and Mathematics. Gretchen interned in weather broadcasting with KMSP in Minneapolis before joining the media meteorologists at Weather Central Inc. There she trained television meteorologists and managed the implementation of weather graphics systems in 35 states from Maine to Hawaii as well as in Canada, Latin America, and the UK. In addition to local stations, she has also made technological and aesthetic contributions to three major networks (ABC, NBC, and Univision). Gretchen and her husband have a son and a daughter.