Yes, I spent my entire news career right here in Dayton at WHIO-TV, filling almost every news position imaginable. This has helped tremendously in reporting on my adopted hometown. I graduated from high school in Ypsilanti, Michigan in 1982 and then graduated with a bachelor’s degree from Cedarville University right here in the Miami Valley in 1986.
My career at WHIO-TV began in late 1986 when I was hired as a news editor. Things moved pretty quickly from there as I was given new opportunities and responsibilities. I became a news photographer in 1988 and spent several years behind the camera. I then moved to working as a night-time assignment manager for about a year. Following that, it was time for another move as I was asked to report on weekends and also produce medical reports for the station. .
I eventually moved to a full-time news reporter position about ten years ago. I spent several years as a general assignment reporter. About five years ago I was asked to fill the role of lead reporter on the station’s expanding morning newscasts. I continue to work in that role today, teaming with John Paul and Natasha Williams on Miami Valley’s number one morning newscast.
Along the way, I’ve covered just about every story you can imagine. Some of the more memorable events include Republican and Democratic National political conventions, tornadoes in Xenia, Blue Ash, and the Northern Miami Valley, the incredible events and changes brought on by 9/11 and the economic upheaval in Dayton as auto manufacturing jobs slip away and cities and families struggle to adjust. Through it all, I’ve forged strong ties to the Dayton region. I’ve been blessed to raise two college-aged sons here, 20-year-old Anthony and 18-year-old Nick. I’ve also received a new double blessing recently, marrying my awesome wife Christine and being privileged to become stepdad to 8-year-old Ashley.
I look forward to serving the Miami Valley every day. The best way I see to do that is working very hard to keep WHIO-TV’s viewers informed of the news in our community and explaining what impact those events will have on our lives.
Q & A
Where were you born? Michigan
Where did you grow up? West side of Michigan between Lansing and Grand Rapids
What was your favorite TV show then? Hill Street Blues
What was the first thing you ever wanted to be? Professional Athlete (didn’t everyone?)
How might someone have described you in high school? Athletic, Outgoing
What was your first job? Grocery store stock boy
What was your first job in television? Part-time Video editor, WHIO-TV
What do you like about your job? Meeting people, finding out how and why things are not working as they should or working exactly as they should.
What do you not like about your job? We never have enough time to tell all the great stories we uncover. There are always some great things we have to leave out.
What might people be surprised to know about you? I’m a huge University of Michigan fan (not always popular in Ohio) because my Dad went there.
What is the hardest thing you ever did? Serving as a pallbearer at my Grandfather’s funeral, a great man that’s still missed by everyone in my family.
What would be a perfect day for you? If money was not an issue, then I’d watch one of my children’s sporting events, and then fly my wife Christine and I to a beach to take a sunset walk at the ocean’s edge.
What advice would you have for someone wanting to go into the business? I might advise them to try something else first! But if they were determined I’d tell them to learn to write…that is the key…and also to read a lot, especially reading people with viewpoints that are different than their own.
If you could only keep one 5-minute tape from your career what would be on it? I think I’d probably keep the reports that I did at the Dayton Airport on the morning of 9/11. As we detailed how things literally changed minute-by-minute all of us and the passengers and people here and around the country realized the fact that the world was changing in a major way.
Favorite book: Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren, Anything by Harlan Coben
Favorite CBS show: Criminal Minds
Favorite dream car: Vintage Mustangs
Favorite food: Pasta, Spaghetti tops the chart
Favorite hobby:Working out, Reading, Watching my Kids Play Sports
Favorite Miami Valley place: The Greene
Favorite movie: Saw
Favorite music: R & B, Christian Contemporary, Jazz
Favorite travel destination: Antigua, In-country I like Chicago or New York