I'm flattered you want to learn a bit more about me.
I’ve recently taken up as the lead reporter for Health News Illinois, a start-up media outlet that is the one-stop-shop for all things healthcare business and policy in the Land of Lincoln. Splitting time in the Capitol in Springfield and wherever else the stories take me, I help prepare the daily newsletter that drops in our subscribers inbox every weekday morning.
Before this, I spent over six years at the Herald & Review newspaper in Decatur, Ill. I was blessed during that time to break news such as Warren Buffett's son, Howard, to be appointed sheriff, the above-average number of deficient bridges in the county and the financial strain the Illinois budget impasse had on local municipalities' bottom line.
Not all of my work has been straight news, as a stint on the entertainment beat allowed me to talk with Vanilla Ice about his "Mount Rushmore" of rappers, and with Grammy-winning artist Kurt Elling about the lasting impact of Frank Sinatra.
My work has also been featured in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, the St. Louis Business Journal, Paste Magazine and the Associated Press.
My career began in 2009 at Southern Illinois University Carbondale's student newspaper, the Daily Egyptian. During my two-and-a-half years at the DE, the largest student-run newspaper in Illinois, I was named editor of the sports, campus and entertainment desks. Along with hiring and managing staff, I had the opportunity to cover beats as varied as the #1 rated football program in the Football Championship Subdivision, financial strain put on the university from state budget cuts, and a looming teacher's strike.
After graduating in 2011, I went directly to the University of Illinois Springfield to take part in their one-year Master's Program in Public Affairs Reporting. Aside from classwork, the program offered the chance to become an intern at the Daily Herald as their statehouse reporter. From here I was able to provide a unique twist on state issues, looking into the impact of proposed gambling expansion on suburban Chicago casinos as well as the elimination of the controversial legislative scholarship program.
Aside from writing, I have fallen in love with photography and photojournalism. With every story I take on, I try and imagine potential art and how it could be compliment the written piece. My photo shoot to accompany the 2011 World Series Championship St. Louis Cardinals was later recognized by the Illinois College Press Association, who named my work the best sports and best feature photos of the year.
My personal time is taken up with my love of sports, music and the outdoors. I passionately follow the aforementioned Cardinals, as well as the Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Blues and the Chicago Fire Soccer Club. I try to be on the forefront for any new and upcoming music act, and I'm a regular at concerts throughout central Illinois. When the weather is nice, you can find me practicing for my first marathon or cycling at nearby bike trails.