Fisher Plaza - Home of KOMO Radio and TV, where I work!
My first radio job!
A very young me with legendary crooner Tony Bennett - Summer 1990
At KXL in Portland, I even hosted my own talk show!
One of my first breaking news assignments was standing here the morning of 9/11.
This is where I currently anchor the morning news weekdays 9a-12p
LISTEN_LIVE
Part of my job has me from time-to-time filling in as a reporter, anchor, and weathercaster on TV!
Check out some of my work - Click on the "my stories" link in the menu at the top of the page
Me and Zoe at the Seattle Humane Society's "Walk for Animals"
Me and Carrie "Princess Leia" Fisher
May 2009
Me and American Idol Season 5 winner Taylor Hicks - May 2009
This is a very long story, so the short version: My dog Zoe wears the hairnet better than I do!
And so it begins. . .
My professional career began in the late 1980's in my hometown of Grants Pass, Oregon.
It's a great place along the Rogue River in southern Oregon. Local broadcast legend "Big" Jim Wilson took me under his wing, and taught me the ropes of diction and enunciation. I grew up in the business at KAJO, which he owned. For 7 years, I worked for Jim and his sons Carl and Matt. The trio also served as father and big brother figures during my early years as an adult, and I'm sure I'm a better guy for it today. Working with them, I learned the broadcast business at every level, an experience budding radio announcers just don't get anymore.
While reading news was part of the job, we also played music at KAJO. At the time, the station played a little of everything, but a lot of music from the 40's and 50's. This is where I "discovered" some of my favorite artists: Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett (I actually MET Mr. Bennett when he made a concert stop in Ashland), Ella Fitzgerald, and Harry Connick Jr.
One day, I had the good fortune of a GM from Portland driving through Grants Pass, and hearing me on KAJO. Yeah, I know what you're thinking "Really, that's how the 'big city' discovered you?" It's true, and I bet Tim McNamera still tells the story to this day. He talked to his people, and his people (the very talented Mike Dirkx) invited me to take a job in the Rose City.
So, I did.
The station was KXL, and it was there I began reporting. I didn't think I'd enjoy reporting, but it just took a few stories to hook me. I went on to host the morning news at KXL, where I was paired with some of the best female announcers in the business: Mary McDermott, Crystal Carlisle, and Rebecca Marshall.
After several years in Portland, I received another call. This time, it was KIRO in Seattle, again wondering if I'd be interested in migrating north.
I bit, and began my Seattle career as a full-time reporter. It was the first time I wasn't the anchor, and it was just fine. I won my first Edward R.Murrow awards for reporting while at KIRO.
In 2006 I would step away from reporting to become KOMO Radio's News Director. I really enjoyed that position. That assignment taught me more about me, and more about working with others than anything I've ever experienced. Being the manager has a lot of perks alright, as long as you commit yourself to listening instead of talking. I know, not what you expected to read, but I believe the best managers learn that with power comes compassion, understanding, and the ability lead by encouragement. You don't have to befriend everyone, you simply need to respect everyone. I'll always be thankful for this experience.
In the Fall of 2008, I was approached and asked about returning to the air, once again as an anchor. I felt the timing was right to move into the next phase of my career.
Today, I anchor the morning news weekdays from 9am until 12pm. Matter of fact, whether you're in Seattle or not, you can listen live via this link: LISTEN. I continue working on KOMO TV as a weathercaster on select weekends, and it's funny, but my career has come full circle. In my capacity as an anchor, I've once again been given time to create my unqiue stories for radio as a reporter. It really is the best of both worlds!
Me and President Carter - February 2009
As you can imagine, one of the perks of the job is meeting so many interesting people. It's not everyday you get to meet a former President, let alone, interview him! Politics aside, President Jimmy Carter is one of the most gracious guys I've ever met, a real class act. And it was very nice to meet and talk "shop" with ABC World News anchor Charles Gibson (he told me I could call him "Charlie").
Me and Charlie - 2008
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