Meet #TeamTIV
The Tornado Intercept Vehicle 2 (TIV2) began its life as a Dodge Ram 3500, and was armored and modified by IMAX filmmaker Sean Casey and his crew for the 2008-2011 seasons of “Storm Chasers.” It has been used to intercept numerous tornadoes, including an EF-4 near Enterprise, Mississippi in 2011 and the Lebanon, Kansas EF-3 in 2013.
After the series wrapped, the TIV2 fell into disuse and disrepair. In 2019, Casey sold the vehicle to Colorado-based storm chaser Ryan Shepard, who had also served as a crew member and TIV driver on “Storm Chasers.” Casey chose Shepard and his company, Storm of Passion LLC, to carry on the legacy of the TIV2 because of Shepard’s active experience with the TIV vehicles and his passion for storm chasing.
Fanning the Flames
Building a Team
Shepard spent several years cultivating a solid crew of dedicated mechanics, specialists, and storm chasers for TIV2. Each crew member bringing their own passion for the storm, Team TIV works as a solid unit, committed to bringing TIV2 back to its intended purpose of intercepting tornadoes, educating the public on severe weather issues, and sharing the joy and excitement of nature and science.
Scroll down to meet the members of Team TIV…
Team TIV Head Mechanic and Technology Director, James Breitenbach, alongside Trousdale Parts and ATS Diesel Performance, has guided an ongoing, years-long renovation of TIV2.
The 2020-2022 chase seasons saw thousands of miles of trial-and-error on the road, with a near-interception in Alexander, North Dakota on June 10, 2021. In 2023, TIV2 finally returned to its intended purpose of intercepting tornadoes. Notably, on June 17, 2023, the TIV2 drove into the rain-wrapped Laverne, Oklahoma tornado, operated by crewmember Becca Furnish, marking the first female-driven interception of a twister by an armored chase vehicle. With continued upgrades in the off-season, the TIV2 is ready for more action in the 2024 season.
Storm Chasing since 2007 Live in Greeley, CO - 38 years old
{TIV-2 Still holds the record for the strongest measured intentional intercept}
{TIV-2 Still holds the record for the strongest measured intentional intercept}
Intercepted 2 tornadoes in 2023 in TIV-2 one near Laverne, OK and one near Kim, CO. Restoring TIV-2 since 2019 (purchase date), most of the major parts of the drivetrain have been replaced, frame and suspension parts fixed, giving us more reliability in the coming years ahead
Production Assistant on IMAX Film Tornado Alley, and TIV Driver in 2009 during Sean's Ownership.
Tour Guide with Silver Lining Storm Chasing Tours since 2012 where my chase partner Roger Hill has achieved the Guinness World Record of the most tornadoes seen by one human being. I have lost count of my tornado count but it is many hundreds- One EF5 near Piedmont, OK.
The rest of the year when I am not running this organization of 12 staff, I work in the Oilfield (Fracking) because it allows me any day off that I want but at the sacrifice of long hours during the winter. I Have a fixed wing Commercial Pilots License with 350 hours flight time, Commercial Drivers License, Mortgage Brokers License. BAS Professional Aeronautics - Embry Riddle Aeronautical University - Minors in Safety, Management, and Business/Accounting. I went to college to become a pilot and join the Air Force as a Hurricane Hunter, chasing storms by vehicle took my passion instead
I went chasing with my college roommate who was a meteorologist, we chased across Kansas and Texas and saw tornadoes, large hail, structure and crazy lightning - I was hooked. I spent 7 years outside of my other professional work, chasing with my roommate and best friend Johnathan Skinner who had cystic fibrosis - the last years carrying giant oxygen tanks with us as we chase.
Skinner passed away in 2014 to his disease and shortly after, I launched his ashes into a supercell in Nebraska and a large tornado in Wyoming via rockets. My favorite storm to date was Prospect Valley, CO June 19 2018. Solo chase in my 4Runner, beautiful Low Precip supercell with a tornado. Had a drone shot of the tornado and sunset behind it.
Hobbies outside of storm chasing: Gaming, Kayaking, Skiing, Slot Canyons, Off Road Trails, Firearms, Photography and Film, Air Traffic Control operator in Vatsim (for flight simulators), Rodeos, Concerts, Movies, Travel
Where do you live? Great Bend Kansas
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Farmer in central Kansas
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Farmer in central Kansas
How long have you been storm chasing? Since 1988
What got you into storm chasing? I became a Ham radio operator and was needed as Storm spotter so I joined Skywarn.
Why do you love weather? Because it’s so much of my life as a farmer and a storm chaser.
What was your favorite storm catch, to date? Mineola Kansas, 2019.
Any crazy storm stories that you’d like to share? I happen to be watching the same tornado that TIV2 saw in Goshen, Wyoming that made history as the first live broadcast of a tornado on the Weather Channel.
How’d you meet Ryan? We met on tour for Silver lining tours as a fellow tour guide.
Aside from a car and access to radar, what are three things that you find essential to storm chasing?
Able to use visual indicators with in the storm life cycle.
Situational awareness.
Chaser partner that is responsible and experienced.
What are you passionate about? Finding the best desserts after a long chase
What are you nerdy about? Communication equipment and technology
What hobbies do you have, outside of storm chasing? Computer networking Ham radio, Construction, auto repair.
What do you wish people understood about you? How to pronounce my last name
What is your most useless talent? Making a loud whistle with my mount without using my fingers.
What else would you like people to know? I like to be early to the show
Grew up in Colorado
Living in southern Wyoming with my husband and a handful of kids
I keep things organized around Storm of Passion, help manage the Brand, and go on as many storm chases as I can
I have cosplayed as Dorothy and speak on video when its needed
Living in southern Wyoming with my husband and a handful of kids
I keep things organized around Storm of Passion, help manage the Brand, and go on as many storm chases as I can
I have cosplayed as Dorothy and speak on video when its needed
Son of James Breitenbach(President), Live in Lawrence, KS
Crew Chief manages the TIV-2 Crew, As well as helps manage the Engineering and Maintenance of the vehicle.
I am also a primary driver of the vehicle when I am scheduled to chase
Crew Chief manages the TIV-2 Crew, As well as helps manage the Engineering and Maintenance of the vehicle.
I am also a primary driver of the vehicle when I am scheduled to chase
Washington, Missouri
Photographer and TIV Navigator
Passion for weather photography, and Astrophotography (especially deep space objects)
Always hunting for the next Sprites or Blue Jets
I love to sell my prints! Check out my socials to find them and contact me
Photographer and TIV Navigator
Passion for weather photography, and Astrophotography (especially deep space objects)
Always hunting for the next Sprites or Blue Jets
I love to sell my prints! Check out my socials to find them and contact me
Ryan has been a friend and chasing partner for over a decade. I spend lots of time moderating the social accounts, maintaining our brand relationships, and sometimes driving the TIV
Where do you live? Great Bend Kansas
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Farmer in central Kansas.
How long have you been storm chasing? Since birth I've been chasing storms!
What got you into storm chasing? My parents got me into storm chasing!
Why do you love weather? I love weather because it fascinates me and gives me so much joy.
What was your favorite storm catch, to date? Minneola KS tornado May 17 2019
Any crazy storm stories that you’d like to share? I've Been in a tornado!
Aside from a car and access to radar, what are three things that you find essential to storm chasing? knowledge, jacket, and a camera
What are you passionate about? storm chasing
What are you nerdy about? storm chasing
What hobbies do you have, outside of storm chasing? Gaming, driving, hanging out with friends, and golfing.
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Farmer in central Kansas.
How long have you been storm chasing? Since birth I've been chasing storms!
What got you into storm chasing? My parents got me into storm chasing!
Why do you love weather? I love weather because it fascinates me and gives me so much joy.
What was your favorite storm catch, to date? Minneola KS tornado May 17 2019
Any crazy storm stories that you’d like to share? I've Been in a tornado!
Aside from a car and access to radar, what are three things that you find essential to storm chasing? knowledge, jacket, and a camera
What are you passionate about? storm chasing
What are you nerdy about? storm chasing
What hobbies do you have, outside of storm chasing? Gaming, driving, hanging out with friends, and golfing.
Name: Jesse Gillett
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Content Creation/Digital Capture Artist
What got you into storm chasing? Discovery Storm Chaser's
Why do you love weather? For the amazing views/understanding the science
How’d you meet Ryan? Through a video collaboration opportunity/Wakita Twister Movie Event 2023
What are you passionate about? Documentary Filmmaking
What are you nerdy about? Video editing/Editing Software
What hobbies do you have, outside of storm chasing? Aviation/Flight Simulation
What do you wish people understood about you? That I'm not related to the Razor brand
What is your most useless talent? Expert at Wii bowling
What is your profession, outside of storm chasing? Content Creation/Digital Capture Artist
What got you into storm chasing? Discovery Storm Chaser's
Why do you love weather? For the amazing views/understanding the science
How’d you meet Ryan? Through a video collaboration opportunity/Wakita Twister Movie Event 2023
What are you passionate about? Documentary Filmmaking
What are you nerdy about? Video editing/Editing Software
What hobbies do you have, outside of storm chasing? Aviation/Flight Simulation
What do you wish people understood about you? That I'm not related to the Razor brand
What is your most useless talent? Expert at Wii bowling
