When I was working at my last TV station in Jackson, Mississippi and beginning to look to make a move to another station I was so excited to get a job offer in Hartford, Connecticut. I was there on a job interview, walked in the door and the station resembled a library, it was quiet, stuffy, very serious, people seemed unhappy, and were even rolling their eyes as the manager walked by. I wasn't looking forward to it, but it was a great career step, and near my girlfriend who lived in the New York City area at the time.
I walked out of the station convinced I would make the best out of it, and while stuck in traffic in New York City the phone rang.
"Hello Wayne? This is Bruce Moore, from WVEC in Norfolk; we hear you're looking for a job."
I didn't know anything about WVEC, and had never set foot in Hampton Roads before; I was so confused as to how I was getting this call. Well, I was convinced I would be moving to Connecticut so I politely said no thank you. But my soon to be boss urged me to visit and at least give them a chance. I did, and immediately knew it was the place for me.

I remember walking into the newsroom and our former Chief Investigator Doug Aronson told me how he too stumbled into town and never left. People were laughing, joking, cracking jokes on the boss, and not rolling their eyes. It clearly seemed like a family.
Later, I had dinner in Downtown Norfolk with the upper management of the station, two gentlemen I never met in my life. Well, one gave me a hug, and the other patted my back and welcomed me like an old friend.

I was instantly hooked. I planned to stay here just two years and then make a move to another larger city

Four years later, here I sit. It's not just WVEC, but all of Hampton Roads. Tomorrow is my 30th birthday, and I mentioned it on the air briefly, well I've gotten calls and even a cookie bouquet delivered to work. I really didn't expect anything of the sort, and have been reminded why I love living here so much. There really is a certain Spirit about Hampton Roads, one I'm honored to have experienced and enjoyed for the past few years.

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