<!-- Alternate content for non-supporting browsers --><font size="1" face="Verdana">Arizona has stolen my heart. Yes, I know, those of us who forecast Arizona weather, hear it all the time "how do you deal with that desert heat?" Truth be told... Fall, Winter and Spring make a few months of searching for shade and air conditioning...well worth the wait! I grew up in the small town of East Wenatchee, Washington, in an area also considered to be a desert. That could be why I am so comfortable with the lifestyle this desert has to offer. My broadcasting career started at KYMA, in Yuma, back in the 1990's and my path to ABC 15 has been quite an adventure. After high school graduation I moved to Los Angeles where I hosted two entertainment shows. That happened while I was still in college. I am a graduate of Pepperdine University with Bachelor of Arts degree in Telecommunications. When I moved to Yuma, I learned everything I could about a news operation - producing, writing, reporting, anchoring and the weather. It's also where I won an Associated Press FIRST PLACE award for Investigative Reporting. That award and experience lead to jobs at KEYT (ABC) Santa Barbara, XETV (FOX) San Diego, and now ABC15 here in Phoenix. Since my return to Arizona, the opportunity to cover hurricane Ivan was life changing. Our team rode the eye-wall of the category 3 storm in Pensacola, Florida, where the dirtiest or shall I say most dangerous part of Ivan made landfall. Words could never describe the emotions we all felt... watching people, just like you and me lose everything in one night... people we hunkered down with, inside a warehouse for more than 16 hours, windows being blown out every 15 minutes. It's a story that earned an Emmy nomination for Live Field Reporting. Mostly recently, I won an Emmy Award for hosting ABC-15's daily magazine show Sonoran Living Live. It's a show I won an Emmy for, for Co-Hosting, back in 2006. That same year, I was awared an Emmy for Breaking News Coverage of a rare weather event here in Phoenix: Snow! I was also voted Best Weather Anchor by the Associated Press in 2006. In addition to anchoring weather for ABC15 Daybreak, I work with our Sports Department. In the fall of 2003 I co-hosted the sports magazine show "EmmittZone" with former Dallas Cowboy /Arizona Cardinal running back Emmitt Smith… who is also the distinguished WINNER of ABC's DANCING WITH THE STARS. That same year I co-hosted the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl Special and coverage The FBR open. I've also had the honor of reporting from the Academy Awards on the RED CARPET. This year, I stood next to Joan and Melissa Rivers (talk about interesting!) I contribute regularly to the Abrams & Bettis show on THE WEATHER CHANNEL and Since August of 2005, I've filled-in for Marysol Castro in TIMES SQUARE on Good Morning America Weekend Edition. I still can't believe I call this a job! Some things you may not know about me include... I run starts and wind-sprints almost everyday--even when it's too hot outside (I’m addicted). I like riding my beach cruiser early Saturday mornings. On My IPOD you'll find all kinds of music...Dave Matthews Band, Bob Segar, Prince, 50-Cent, Metallica, Ne-Yo, Rihanna, The Fray, Chris Daughtry, Natasha Bedingfield, Linkin Park, Nine Inch Nails, Motley Crue, Nelly Furtado, and Tori Amos. I love going to the movies as long as we can order HOT Popcorn with M&M's... Yum! I also enjoy cooking, reading, interior design and learning more about my Native American roots. I am a proud member of the Native American Journalists Association. Throughout the year, I visit schools across the Valley with WOW in tow. WOW - or Weather on Wheels - is in interactive educational weather experience inside a 24-foot mobile motion simulator. </font>
