Before coming to the Miami Valley, I worked for three and half years in the Tennessee Valley at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, Tennessee as a reporter and anchor. I reported a wide range of stories including the arrest of a Sheriff on drug and gun charges, the election of Chattanooga’s former Mayor to the U.S. Senate and a record breaking 3 year drought. I was honored with a Society of Professional Journalists award for reporting.
I grew up on a farm in Granville, just east of Columbus where my parents said all I did was talk. I was fortunate enough to find a career where I get paid to do that! I graduated from the E.W. Scripps School of Journalism at Ohio University where I worked at WOUB Radio and TV. My co-worker and fellow OU alum Jill Del Greco gave me my first chance on-air and I haven’t looked back. I covered miles of Southeast Ohio reporting the news for “Newswatch” and as host of the premier High School football highlight show, “Gridiron Glory.”
My wife Ericka and I are excited to call the Miami Valley home. We’re close to both our families and lots of friends and look forward to spending time with them. Look for us at any sporting event, especially UD and Ohio State games or enjoying the outdoors with our dog Daisy.
You can follow me on Twitter at twitter.com/MarkBruceWHIO
Q & A
Where were you born? Newark, Ohio
Where did you grow up? Granville, Ohio
What was your favorite TV show then? Ducktales, Perfect Strangers, Murphy Brown
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be? President of the World. When I realized that wasn’t a job, journalism seemed like a perfect fit.
How might someone have described you in high school? A brown-noser who worked hard and was rewarded with good grades all while trying to be friends with everyone.
What was your first job? Feeding Holstein Calves by the bottle and bedding straw on our family farm.
What was your first job in television? Reporter/Anchor at WRCB-TV in Chattanooga, TN.
What do you like about your job? I am outside meeting people everyday. I love to talk to folks and be away from a desk; this job lets me do that. It’s also something different; two days are never the same.
What do you not like about your job? It’s hard to not let what happens get you down. The stories we follow can be pretty depressing; that’s why it’s important to report all kinds of stories that matter to the most people.
What might people be surprised to know about you? I am a licensed football and basketball official. So please take it easy on the guys and gals in stripes; we work hard because we love the games we officiate just as much as you do.
What is the hardest thing you ever did? Learned to water ski. I’m tried it multiple times and I still haven’t succeeded. One of these days I’ll make it!
What would be a perfect day for you? After enjoying a big breakfast, I would head to an Ohio State football game, preferably a win over Michigan. I would then celebrate the victory with my wife, family and friends and a big pan of homemade lasagna. Dessert would be my Grandmother’s Tapioca pudding.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business? Learn by doing. Get an internship, volunteer, get a job doing what we do every day. It’s the only way to figure out how this business works and it’s the only way to get good at it.
If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it? A story I did at a factory in Cleveland, TN where they made M&M’s and Twix bars. It was a great story and the candy was so good right off the line! I would also include a story I did with a Hurricane Katrina evacuee named “Miss Lollipop.” Anita Bowers moved to Chattanooga and the city was better for it.
Favorites
Favorite book: Angels and Demons
Favorite CBS show: 60 Minutes and Sunday Morning
Favorite dream car: A Truck - Ford F-150 Platinum Edition
Favorite food: Ice Cream (I don’t get Ice Cream headaches)
Favorite hobby: Golf
Favorite Miami Valley place: Beavercreek
Favorite movie: Tommy Boy, Anchorman, Road to Perdition
Favorite music: Country
Favorite travel destination: Jekyll Island, GA; Fripp Island, SC; Paris, France