Before getting that chance in 2001, I spent 4 years behind the scenes in a number of positions including producer and radio reporter.
I was born in Leesburg, Virginia, but grew up Dayton. I attended Dayton Public Schools, Chaminade-Julienne High School, Sinclair Community College and the University of Dayton.
I am an animal lover. My husband Jeff and I live on a farm just outside Xenia. Right now we have two house cats, one barn cat and two Labrador retrievers. We're hoping to add farm animals soon.
I love spending time outside. On a nice day you'll catch Jeff and I on our motorcycle. I also enjoy running and rollerblading. I 've completed two marathons in an effort to raise money and awareness for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.
You can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/gabbyenright
Q & A
Where were you born? Leesburg, Virginia
Where did you grow up? Dayton, Ohio (Belmont area)
What was your favorite TV show then? Emergency
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be? Veterinarian
How might someone have described you in high school? Friendly
What was your first job? Paper route
What was your first job in television? I worked in the WHIO-TV studio as a camera operator in 1997.
What do you like about your job? I get to meet new people every day and see some incredible things.
What do you not like about your job? A lot of people like you or dislike you for what you do and they don’t even know you.
What might people be surprised to know about you? I love to ride Harley-Davidson motorcycles, I’m a certified scuba diver and I used to sell cars!
What is the hardest thing you ever did? I worked 3 jobs when I got my first job in TV in order to pay the bills. I was a bank teller, a waitress at Frickers and a camera operator in the WHIO studio all at the same time!
What would be a perfect day for you? The beach, a book and a lemonade or a cabin, the snow and a fire in the fireplace.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business? Be excited! Learn everything you can from everyone you can. Be ready to work long and weird hours, holidays and weekends. Realize you won’t be able to make everyone happy. Understand being in this business can be one of the hardest, but most amazing experiences you’ll ever have.
If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it? I would keep my first live television report in 2000. The report was terrible and I looked terrible but it shows me how far I’ve come. I would also keep the story I did on the last flight of the Hanoi Taxi at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. I got a rare chance to see history. I would love to keep my story about a little dog named “Petey”. Petey couldn’t use his legs and needed a wheelchair. After my story aired he was adopted instead of being euthanized. I would also keep my favorite blooper. A monkey, named Whiplash, who rides a dog during rodeos, showed up during my part of the noon newscast. I had to laugh…and I did…LIVE on air.
Favorites
Favorite book: The Autobiography of Walt Disney
Favorite CBS show: Ghost Whisperer
Favorite dream car: Jeep Wrangler
Favorite food: Cheeseburgers
Favorite hobby: Run, Rollerblade, Ride Motorcycles
Favorite Miami Valley place:Peaches Bar and Grill in Yellow Springs has a great patio! Slyders Tavern in Dayton has great burgers!
Favorite movie:The Notebook
Favorite music:Country, Rock, Pop, Dance, R&B, Rap…I like it all…Really I do!
Favorite travel destination:Ireland and Sarasota, Florida