Hi! Here’s a little excerpt from my autobiography…I was born in Mt. Vernon, Ohio on June 26, 1977, but lived in Mansfield, Ohio which is located about halfway between Cleveland and Columbus along I-71. (map)
I attended St. Peter’s Catholic School for all twelve years. In grade school, I didn’t do all that much except soccer. I played fullback from 3rd to 6th grades. In high school I got much more active. I started by becoming a manager for the boys basketball team. At the end of my Freshman year I took up the role of Sparticus Spartan – the mascot for St. Peter’s High School. I also got involved in Student Council – Junior Class Vice-President and Student Council Vice President. I also help to create the TV Club – delivering the video announcements over the school’s Channel One system. I graduated in 1995, recognized with the Four-Year Drama Award and The Bishop’s Cross.
Outside of school a chunk of my summers were spent setting up the annual parish festival — I even served as construction chair during my Junior and Senior years of High School. I also was an altar server at St. Peter’s for several years, and even had a paper route for a couple of years.
I started college at Ashland University where I really got going in Radio & Television. I was a DJ at WRDL 88.9 FM a 3,000 watt modern rock station, and was very involved in TV-2, the university’s cable access TV station. While at Ashland I tried everything — from talent to production. Also during my Freshman year at AU, I kept the Mascot thing going by playing the role of “Tuffy The Eagle.” After three semesters I left AU and transferred to Mansfield University of Pennsylvania.
At Mansfield,which is located in the northern mountains of Pennsylvania, (map) I was heavily involved at WNTE-FM, Mansfield’s campus radio station. While there I was chief engineer, and supervised a major equipment upgrade of the main studio.
During the summer of 1998 I worked in commercial radio at WHYT Y-105 WSWR-FM Curisin’ 100.1 and WMAN 1400, in his hometown of Mansfield, Ohio. During the summer of 1999, I was a promotions intern for WKYC-TV 3 in Cleveland, Ohio.
I graduated in December 1999 from Mansfield University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, but before I left I had to get a job. I was hired by WNWO-TV in Toledo, Ohio – the day before walking down the aisle.
At NBC 24 I started as a production assistant where my duties included – camera, Chyron, TD, audio and even some directing. After a year I transferred to engineering and there my duties included – air operator, tape and (my favorite) ENG operator (that’s a live truck to non-newzies)
In March of 2001, I headed across town to the CBS affiliate WTOL-TV. There I was hired as a promotions producer. That means I created promo spots to get you to watch our news – or why our super duper Doppler is better than the one that other station. After two years at WTOL I was ready for a change. I enjoyed working on this Web site and wtol.com, I decided to do it full time.
In August of 2004, Sandy and I decided to move over 1,500 miles across the country to Corpus Christi, Texas. That’s where I was the Internet Content Director for KRISTV.COM, South Texas’ NBC affiliate. Since joining the station, In 2006, I won both a 1st Place award from the Texas AP Broadcasters and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for the Texas/Oklahoma region. In 2007, I won a second 1st Place award from the Texas AP Broadacasters, but no regional Murrow… Guess you need a hurricane to win one of those.
But in October 2007, I said my goodbyes to KRISTV.COM and Corpus Christi to take on a new challenge as the Interactive Director for LIN Television of Indianapolis. I’m responsible for five Web sites including: WISHTV.COM, MyNDYTV.com, in Indianapolis. It’s the most challenging job I’ve had so far, but I’m loving every minute of it.
Outside of work, I’m very active member of the Knights of Columbus, serving as the Charter Financial Secretary for St. Simon the Apostle Council #15437. I’m also a Past Faithful Navigator for the Lt. General Timothy J. Maude Assembly #2740 in Carmel, Indiana. I served as FN during the 2011-2012 Fraternal Year.