“This has been a hard decision, but also the right decision for me professionally and personally,” she said. “I’ve been blessed to have a 40-year career in the television news business, 30 of those years here in Central Florida. So now just feels like the right time to say goodbye to my television news career.”
Echols said she is eager to spend more time with her parents after she retires.
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Vanessa Echols and Brett Michaels
Longtime Lexus of Orlando spokesperson Holly Watson with WFTV news anchor Vanessa Echols.
GF Default - Steve Harvey interview with Eyewitness News 9's Vanessa Echols
GF Default - Raw: Vanessa Echols goes one-on-one with Pence on election
Vanessa Echols interviews Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings Orange County Jerry Demings agreed to an interview about making history as the first black man to hold numerous leadership positions in local government. (Alex Blankenship/Alex Blankenship)
Vanessa Echols Vanessa Echols anchors WFTV Eyewitness News at Noon and 4 p.m. She also works with 9 Family Connection. (Cindy Kelly)
Masks Up! WFTV Family shows us their masks Vanessa's cousin Terry Hollaway Davis has been making masks for family, friends and complete strangers. (Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
Black History Month Celebration benefiting UNCF Orlando's branch of the UNCF hosted its annual luncheon on Tuesday emceed by Channel 9’s own Vanessa Echols. (WFTV Staff)
Vanessa Echols Channel 9′s Vanessa Echols announces her retirement after 40 years in news (wftv.com)
Vanessa Echols Channel 9′s Vanessa Echols announces her retirement after 40 years in news (wftv.com)
Vanessa Echols Channel 9′s Vanessa Echols announces her retirement after 40 years in news (wftv.com)
Vanessa Echols Channel 9 anchor Vanessa Echols announced Thursday that she will retire next month after 40 years in broadcast journalism. (wftv.com)
Vanessa Echols Channel 9 anchor Vanessa Echols announced Thursday that she will retire next month after 40 years in broadcast journalism.
“Personally, my father turned 90 this month, so retirement will allow me the time and opportunity to be more available to him and my mother,” she said. “Central Florida will always have a special place in my heart.”
Her work in journalism has earned her three Suncoast Emmy awards and a national award for her podcast “Colorblind: Race Across Generations.”
“Words cannot express the respect and admiration we have for Vanessa,” said Paul Briggs, the station’s vice president and general manager. “She has impacted so many people throughout the years with her journalism and community involvement. We will miss her greatly and wish her all the health and happiness in retirement.”
Echols and anchor Greg Warmoth spent 15 years anchoring together in the mornings, becoming the longest-tenured anchor team in Orlando television history.
Greg Warmoth and Vanessa Echols have worked together since 1992 Vanessa Echols started at WFTV on August 3, 1992. Greg Warmoth started on August 2, 1986. We asked them to share some pictures with us. (Greg Warmoth, Vanessa Echols/WFTV)
“We shared the anchor desk but much more than that,” Warmoth said. “She has guided me through difficult challenges with steady, heartfelt and faith-based advice. I watched in amazement as she battled and beat breast cancer and took that victory as a way to help others facing similar health scares.”
“I will be forever grateful to the viewers of Central Florida who welcomed me into their homes each day and allowed me the privilege of telling their stories throughout the years,” she said.
Watch her on Channel 9 Eyewitness News at 4.
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