Since I was a child I have always been awestruck by the power of Mother Nature.

Growing up in Rancho Cucamonga, California, I was always fascinated with earthquakes. When the big earthquake hit the San Francisco/Oakland Bay area in 1989, I was glued to the television. At that point, I knew that I wanted to pursue a career that would put me right where things were happening, providing important information to viewers.

Following graduation from the University of Southern California in 1994, I worked as a broadcast assistant for CBS News, where I got the opportunity to cover the O.J. Simpson murder trial. Also, while working as a reporter for KOBI-TV, I covered the logging protests in the hills of southern Oregon.

I first moved to Brevard County in 1998. During that stint, I reported on hurricanes Irene and Floyd, as well as Florida's worst brush fires, deadliest tornadoes and astronaut John Glenn's historic return to space.

My next professional step landed me in Spokane, Washington where I won numerous Society of Professional Journalism Awards for coverage of local government and politics.

And now, I have returned to Central Florida and am elated to be covering Brevard County for Channel 9. I couldn't resist the idea of returning to the Space Coast. It is such a thrilling place and there is always so much happening here.

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