Ken Aucoin
A Louisiana native, Ken Aucoin received his B.S. degree in meteorology from Florida State University in 1983. Ken spent 16 years at WVUE-TV in New Orleans before becoming Chief Meteorologist at WIS-TV in Columbia, South Carolina in 1999.
Ken’s enthusiasm in promoting weather and science to children is well known in local schools. In 2000, Ken created a program, “Weather and Kids”, designed to assist teachers in making weather and science fun for students. Ken has also been a weather columnist for The State newspaper in Columbia, SC and has provided many articles for PCTeachit magazine.
Ken has received numerous awards including Best Weathercaster in North and South Carolina, ENAC, 2001, Weathercaster of the Year, SCBA, 2001, and Best Weathercast, State of Louisiana 1996 & 1997. Ken is a member of the American Meteorological Society and has the television seal of approval.
After eight years as Chief Meteorologist of Columbia’s WIS-TV, Ken recently left his position as a television personality to focus on writing with his wife and co-author, Liz Aucoin. Affinity for working with children, awareness of the storm’s effect from both a weather and trauma perspective, and roots in Louisiana all moved Ken and Liz to write the children’s book, Jake and Friends Encounter Hurricane Katrina--a powerful adventure of three furry friends who brave the wrath of Hurricane Katrina. Jake and Friends is the inspiration for more books and is the first in a series of books about weather and weather phenomena.
With his writing career successfully underway, Ken is now turning to yet another passion, helping others with their real estate needs. As a member of Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors, he looks forward to serving the Columbia community with the same excellence and passion.
Russell and Jeffcoat Realtors
Email: kaucoin@russellandjeffcoat.com
Liz Aucoin
Elizabeth Aucoin, BSN, RN is the Nurse Manager for Child and Adolescent Behavioral Care Services at Palmetto Health Baptist Medical Center in Columbia, SC. A graduate of the University of South Carolina College of Nursing, Liz has dedicated over twenty-two years of nursing practice to the acutely mentally ill, with the last twenty years specializing in the treatment of children and adolescents.
Liz has provided individual and group counseling for clients dealing with issues of trauma, abuse, depression, and other childhood behavioral and emotional disorders. Her peers recognized Liz as RN of the year for Palmetto Health Baptist Medical Center in 1985. Liz was involved in the development of Brett’s Rainbow, a bereavement camp in Columbia for youth, ages six to sixteen, and served as a group leader for the teens for three years. Liz also assisted in with the planning and implementation of a bereavement camp in Spartanburg, SC.
Liz enjoys speaking to school and church groups on topics related to effective parenting and setting limits with children. She is described by her peers and staff as a caring and compassionate leader who can motivate others. Liz truly believes that laughter is the best medicine, and her sense of humor is one of her greatest assets. She is a true “people person” and looks for opportunities to connect with others.
In writing Jake and Friends Encounter Hurricane Katrina with her husband, Ken Aucoin, Liz has found another avenue to reach children, and many adults: those who are interested in learning about a major weather event, those who may have suffered from a traumatic experience, and everyone who values friendship.
Michael Bise
Michael Bise has worked in art departments and as a freelance and technical illustrator for more than twenty years. He is a graduate of The Corcoran School of Art in Washington, DC.
Presently, he is working at Club Car of Augusta, GA as a technical illustrator and also illustrating a children’s book about Hurricane Katrina written by Ken Aucoin.
This is Michael’s second public art project. The first was the Steel Palmetto Tree project and his tree is proudly displayed in the children’s section of the Lexington County Public Library in Cayce, West Columbia.
More of his work can be seen at his website
www.cookalittle.com.
| 
