JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Monday through Friday -- with you every weeknight on News4Jax. I consider it a great challenge and great opportunity to serve our community.
Since October 2010, I've had the chance to build relationships and become part of our community. It amazes me how giving Jacksonville and Northeast Florida can be!
Recommended Videos
I came from Columbus, Ohio, where I had spent almost 12 years. That's where my three children called "home." And yet moving to Florida came at exactly the right time for all of us. We hurt from saying goodbye to friends and family in the area. But finding a new area to call home, embracing a new culture, falling in love with the local church we connected to, and leaning in to both work and philanthropy absolutely "sealed the deal" on making this a permanent residence for our family.
Today, my daughter continues her education at UCF. My two sons are at St. Augustine High School, preparing for their sophomore and senior years. Each has participated in club volleyball. Two of them have earned certification to referee in sports they love (even though they are both teens). My wife has found a career with a firm in Jacksonville Beach, and pours herself into our family. Moving to a weekday schedule for me means I can be more involved in those weekend events and activities.
I am looking forward to working in the field as a reporter for our evening newscasts, then anchoring News4Jax at 11 p.m. with Joy Purdy. We have so many talented people in our newsroom, and it's so rewarding to work at delivering important stories in creative, compelling ways. I continue to learn from colleagues like Tom Wills and Mary Baer about the issues most important to Northeast Florida, and city reporter Jim Piggott and I have loud, energetic, always fun discussions about the stories in City Hall.
I will continue hosting This Week in Jacksonville on Sundays at 9 a.m. So many of you tell me you watch consistently because of the guests we bring in, the interviews we go after. I have met and asked questions of the city's leaders in business, healthcare, governance, politics, and philanthropy. I try to put myself in your shoes and ask the questions you want answered.
I also will continue my involvement with Alzheimer's Association through the Central and North Florida chapter, where I've been a board member since 2011, and HandsOn Jacksonville, where I joined the board of directors this past December.
Channel 4 is a great place to work, and a unique television station. I have worked in seven companies over my 25-year career in broadcasting. News4Jax has the highest commitment to our viewers I have experienced. I am so grateful to live here in Northeast Florida. Living and working here is my plan for the rest of my life, and I thank you for the chance to bring you the news.