What was your first job as a journalist?
A photo magazine.
Have you ever used a typewriter?
Yes
How is social media changing news?
We do push out news on Facebook and Twitter, which really reaches a huge audience. So it's good to reach a wider audience, and quickly.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Will McAvoy, if you know the reference. Then I think Walter Cronkite and Larry King are pretty great. Sean Hannity is pretty good too.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
Keeping the public up to date about what's happening in the world around them, and keeping an open door to our government.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
Can't think of one.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
Either by phone or email.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
I use Google Docs, Photoshop, MacJournal, Logic Pro X, Skype and a few more.
What's your favorite social network?
I realize I shouldn't say this, but I'm not a big fan of social networks. However, I'm now a fan of Muck Rack.
Who do you wish followed you?
Everybody
Why did you become a journalist?
It's interesting everyday and there's always a new topic I learn about, dive into and report on. I stay up on what's happening in society.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
nope
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
My most recent, Heroes Among Us.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Stay unbiased. Don't go on crusades. Stay neutral otherwise, you miss the story and only report one sided news, You're a reporter, not in PR
When's the best time to pitch you?
During working hours on the West Coast.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I just got a good one today about an Employee at xyz company Created an Urban Safe Space for monarch butterflies, I did the story.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
lol. I just had a guy call me a couple weeks ago and said everything is a conspiracy, everything from the local government.
What's your favorite drink?
Water
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
On horseback or on a boat.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
I try to keep up with many the national and international publications for news. I also like Science, Space and technology publications.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That I support one side or the other. I just report on what happened and what people say, I don't take sides.
