What was your first job as a journalist?
I was a part-time broadcaster, producer and field reporter for Entercom Radio's sports station in Portland, Oregon, KFXX 1080AM "The Fan".
Have you ever used a typewriter?
I might be part of the last generation who ever had to use a typewriter and my last experience with one was when I was a kid.
How is social media changing news?
It's a paradigm shift we've never seen before and it's essential to news outlets now in knowing how to handle the input from social media.
Who's your favorite fictional journalist?
Clark Kent, because he also gets to moonlight as Superman.
What does it mean to be a journalist?
We are tasked with holding those in power accountable and informing the public of what is happening in the world as truthfully as possible.
What's the funniest news-related #hashtag you've seen?
I can't think of one off the top of my head.
How do you prefer to be pitched on stories?
I don't have a particular favorite format, although I think email provides the best platform for the full context of a story pitch.
What tools and software do you use to do your job?
Everything. As a multimedia journalist, nothing is off the table when it comes to gear needed to get a story done. Versatility is mandatory.
What's your favorite social network?
Right now, it would be Instagram because it's the most democratic and the trolls haven't found a way to destroy it yet.
Who do you wish followed you?
I'm not the sort of person who worries about who's following me, but I wouldn't mind Bill Moyers or Keith Olbermann giving me a look up.
Why did you become a journalist?
I love the art of storytelling and I grew up in the Post-Watergate era where the impact of journalism had changed American history.
Did you work for your high school newspaper? If so, what did you do there?
I didn't because other students managed to use their privilege and positions to get on the staff. It was a harbinger of things to come for me
What story are you most proud of writing or working on?
I wrote a story about an attorney who was forced to resign for misconduct, I liked that story because it genuinely helped people out.
What advice can you offer to aspiring journalists?
Be prepared to have more doors shut in your face than opened. Everyone wants to do what you do and nepotism is a very real part of this trade
When's the best time to pitch you?
Pretty much any time of day works for me, but ideally I like to get pitches in the evening so I know what I'll be working on the next day.
What's the best pitch you ever got?
I had to drive out to the middle of nowhere and do a story on a Cold War era missile silo up for sale as a real estate project. Fun day.
What's the worst pitch you ever got?
I had to go cover an abused horse being put down by local animal control officers. It was heartbreaking to see an animal so badly mistreated.
What's your favorite drink?
Depends on the day. During the week it's tea or chocolate milk. On the weekends, it's either Coca-Cola or Dr. Pepper.
When you're not at a computer, where are you most likely to be?
Outside with my camera taking pictures, in my car taking a drive or curled up on my couch watching movies or reading a book.
Aside from your own, what's your favorite publication to read?
The Boston Globe and the New York Times.
What's the most common misperception about your beat?
That sportswriters only care about sports. I'm a multi-faceted individual who likes lots of things and shouldn't be pigeon-holed like that.
