I first earned my broadcast journalism degree from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, and then went on to earn a degree in Atmospheric Sciences from The Ohio State University. While attending classes at Ohio State, I began my broadcasting career at WHIZ-TV in Zanesville, Ohio. There, I reported on general news stories and gave the weekend weather. During my last year at Ohio State, I worked as a freelance weather forecaster for ONN, The Ohio News Network, in Columbus, Ohio. There I forecasted and presented the weather every other weekend, and filled in during the week.
Weather has always been my passion. As a child I loved the weather and watched the weather channel constantly to learn everything I could. I even kept a journal with daily weather facts. I still love learning about weather. The best part about my job is that I now get to share my knowledge with the Miami Valley.
As Cleveland native, and a Buckeye for life, I am happy to be working in Ohio. It’s great to be only a few hours away from my parents. When I’m not working, I stay busy. I love boating, running, skiing, playing sand volleyball (in the summer of course), attending Ohio State Football games and Columbus Blue Jackets Games, and spending time with my friends, my husband Drew and my dog Calie.
Q & A
Where were you born? Evanston, Illinois
Where did you grow up? I moved to Westlake, Ohio (near Cleveland) when I was three. That’s where I grew up.
What was your favorite TV show then? Full House
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be? A Meteorologist (since I was 7)
How might someone have described you in high school? That’s a tough one…I don’t think there’s one way to describe me. I was super busy with tap, jazz and ballet classes, twirling on a very competitive baton twirling team, and twirling as a Westlake High School Majorette. Somehow I managed time to socialize every weekend. I guess some may have described me as quiet, some may have described as a good student, while still others would describe me as fun and goofy. I guess it depends on who you ask.
What was your first job? Isle In the Sun tanning booth
What was your first job in television? WHIZ in Zanesville, Ohio
What do you like about your job? Well, I love the weather, so getting to look at and talk about the weather for a living is definitely a plus. I also like getting to experience the weather live in the field.
What do you not like about your job? I am very close to my family, so having to work many holidays is hard. It’s also hard to plan things because the weather happens 24/7. I’ve had to cancel plans many times because of the weather, and I feel that disappoints my family and friends.
What might people be surprised to know about you? I was pretty shy growing up. I had to work hard to overcome that. I still have my shy moments sometimes.
What would be a perfect day for you? It would definitely be a sunny summer day when could sleep in until about 9am, drink my coffee and watch morning TV in bed, then get up and go running outside. After that get I’d get together with my friends to lay by the pool for a few hours. Then I’d go home and get ready for a nice dinner on a patio somewhere with my fiancé.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business? Be ready to work crazy hours and holidays
If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it? That’s a tough one too. Probably when I worked Christmas Eve in Zanesville and did the Santa Tracker. I even had Santa and his sleigh fly across my futurecast that night. I had a great time with that, and it makes people laugh when they see it.
Favorites
Favorite book: The Great Gatsby
Favorite CBS show: The Late Show with David Letterman
Favorite dream car: Mustang Convertible
Favorite food: Pizza, Cookies, ice cream…I basically just love junk food
Favorite hobby: Working out, volleyball (when it’s warm) and of course looking at the weather
Favorite Miami Valley place: The Greene and any of the Metroparks (I love nature).
Favorite movie: Zoolander
Favorite music: I drive an hour to work every day, which means I listen to basically anything that will keep me entertained. Matchbox Twenty is my favorite though.
Favorite travel destination: A Cruise anywhere, especially where it’s warm!