ORLANDO, Fl. — On August 2, 1986, Greg Warmoth walked through the doors of WFTV to start his first day of work. We asked him 9 questions about the last 34 years.
Question 1: What was your first day at Channel 9 like?
Greg: August 2nd, 1986. I remember two things. 1) Our News Director Bob Jordan calling-in and saying, “if you do no better than that young man, you’ll be fine here.” And 2) one of our main anchors, Bud Hedinger, calling and saying, “welcome aboard.” Two class moves that meant the world and were lessons to follow when welcoming others into the WFTV family over the years.
Question 2: What made you transition from sports to news?
Greg: In 1997, Eyewitness News Daybreak anchor Ken Tyndall left Orlando for a job in Las Vegas. With only one anchor, Cynthia Vega, on the set, our News Director, Lauren Watkins, asked me to fill-in during the ABC-affiliates annual conference in Orlando. During this time, I worked sports on the weekends and news during the week. By July, WFTV asked me to switch from sports to news. The, rest, as they say, is history.
Start at the bottom and through hard work you will climb up the ladder.
— Greg Warmoth
Question 3: You’ve covered some big stories at Channel 9, but when it comes to the everyday ones, which do you think about the most and why?
Greg: The thing that sticks with me the most are the sudden loss of life stories. Accidents that I’ve seen while working in the field, have really stuck with me. When we cover fatal accidents, whether with traffic or job site deaths, those type of breaking news stories are constant reminders to the fragility of life.
Question 4: What advice do you have for someone who is starting a new job?
Greg: The advice is simple. No job is too small. Start at the bottom and through hard work you will climb up the ladder. Plus, people will be pulling for you, when they see your work ethic.
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Question 5: What has changed the most about television news since you started at Channel 9?
Greg: So many things have changed, but the one that comes to mind is what you are doing now: reading news on your home computer, tablet, or phone. We used to hold big stories until Eyewitness News at 6 but now, as soon as we learn and confirm information, we break-it though our many digital platforms.
Question 6: What do you love about living in Central Florida?
Greg: I love that Orlando still feels like a small town to me. I got here when I was 21. I met my wife and raised my three sons here. My parents, grandparents, sister, two aunts - they all moved here, too! It was not my original intent to live here, but now it is my intent to never live anywhere else.
Question 7: What is something you know now that you wish you would have known in 1986?
Greg: This is a tough question. When I look back at my TV career, I’m glad I didn’t take those other opportunities outside of the market. At times, I saw others leave for bigger cities and wondered what that would be like. I’m glad, and relieved, that I stayed right here, where I consider home.
Read: Vanessa Echols celebrates 28 years at WFTV; here are the 9 questions we asked her
Question 8: How has your family influenced your career?
Greg: My family has influenced my career in more ways than I can begin to explain. Once my parents moved here, then my sister, then my grandmother and her sisters, I knew this was not just a stop but a landing spot. My sons became involved in the community, my wife had her family here and friends. This was home and I’ve never wanted to let them down.
Question 9: What are you the proudest of as you celebrate this anniversary?
Greg: I have to say the length of my stay is not my proudest moment. This was never about marking time but making a difference in the lives of my children, family and of course Central Floridians. I’ve never been about awards, praise or money. I have also sought approval and that can come in many forms. I think the greatest is when I hear it from the viewer. Many have never met me, so to get their praise in a letter, email, phone call really makes an impact. It’s because of that, that I try to praise and compliment people that I meet and work with. I think all of us need a pat on the back. And for the last 34 years, Central Florida has done that for me and I say, “Thank you!”
If you would like to reach out to Greg, you can email him at Greg.Warmoth@wftv.com
Cox Media Group
