Degree(s): BJ '93

Whereabouts: United States, California, Sacramento

What do you do?
I produce the 4:30 a.m. and 5 a.m. newscast, Monday through Friday. Competition is very intense in our market in the morning, so I’m a veteran presence. It also allows me more time for my other, non-paid, “job,” that of a youth soccer coach and administrator.

How did you get your job?
After spending three years in Bakersfield, my wife and I decided it was time to move to a bigger city. We loved the West (no snow!) and targeted three cities where we’d like to raise our family: Phoenix, San Diego and Sacramento. I sent a letter to all of the news stations in those three markets explaining my desire to advance my career. I got responses from 10 of the 12 stations within two weeks, including interviews at my top two choices. KCRA offered me a job as the 7 a.m. producer. In my years here, I’ve moved up the ladder to 6 p.m.

Best professional lesson learned at the J-School?
Never assume anything – especially if you’re putting it in a script!

What would be your best advice to current students?
Do everything you can at KOMU, KBIA, or the Missourian. Spend as much time there as possible. Try your hand at every job you can, and try to understand the rest. The more you know about the challenges of your job and the jobs of your co-workers, the better.

What did you want to be as a kid?
I always wanted to be a sports announcer, but after I saw what producers do at KOMU, I knew instantly that’s what I was meant to do.