The 2012 Grand Marshal is Gary Lezak, NBCActionNews

In 1992, Gary made the move to Kansas City.   In 1999 Gary became Chief Meteorologist at KSHB, NBC ACTION NEWS. He established himself and his weather team as the most accurate in Kansas City and has been #1 in forecasting not only during his time at KSHB but since he arrived here in 1992.

An animal lover, Gary has been known to share air-time with his well known dogs. Windy lived to a nice old age of almost 17 years old. Breezy and Stormy now carry on Windy's legacy of going out in the public with Gary. Both Breezy and Stormy were adopted from the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City.

By far, the biggest challenge in Gary's life was being diagnosed with cancer in 1999. It was a very rare form called extra-skeletal osteogenic sarcoma. Only six adults a year are diagnosed with the same form of cancer in the United States. The doctors discovered it was very aggressive and recommended Gary undergo extensive chemotherapy to ensure the cancer was removed from his body. Two surgeries to remove the cancer were performed before chemotherapy treatments could begin.

Gary is now cancer free since 2000 and celebrates every day!  He shares his cancer experience and his passion for weather at his more the 70 public appearances a year around the viewing area.