#MediaMonday – Gina Salazar
Every Monday, HMA introduces you to a member of the media – the new and the seasoned – that keep our local and national news gears turning.
Today we hear from Gina Salazar, the new host of Better Arizona at CBS5. Gina has worked in the television industry since 1994 as a host, reporter and spokesperson. She has interviewed numerous celebrities including Michael Jordan, Wayne Gretzky, Rosie O’Donnell, Senator John McCain and President George W. Bush.
But I bet you didn’t know that Gina has also competed in the Miss USA, Miss Teen USA and Miss America systems. She was Miss Wisconsin USA 1994 and placed in the top 15 at Miss USA.
Gina is an UCLA alumna. She resides in Scottsdale, Arizona with her husband of 14 years, John Hook, and their twin boys and daughter.
So, Gina, time to share!
What do you want to tell the blogosphere about yourself today?
I am thrilled to be hosting the Better Arizona Show. I love being back in the television industry on a daily basis. The best part of my job is having the opportunity to meet so many fascinating people. I love learning about various companies, charities and new experiences in and around Arizona. Hosting the Better Arizona Show allows me to do all of that, while still being a fulltime mom to our three children. I drop them off at school and pick them up each day. I am also vice president of their school’s PTO. Multitasking and juggling a multitude of projects is a way of life for me. As a mother of multiples I don’t have any other choice, right? Between basketball, piano, tennis, scouts, dance and acting my kids keep me on the run. We have a great time in the car, singing songs, cracking jokes, and sharing the day’s events. Our weekends are often spent in the backyard soaking up the beautiful Arizona sunshine.
I am passionate about helping others and have spent the last few years focusing on volunteer work. I served on the board of the Paradise Valley Mothers of Multiples Organization for eight years, three as president. I spent four years as a national worker for Multiples of America and chaired their week-long national convention in Phoenix. I also serve on the Women of Influence panel for MASK, Mother’s Awareness of School-age Kids.
It’s hard to believe when I moved here in 1996 that my plan was to stay for one year before moving back to Los Angeles or Chicago. As my husband says “life is what happens when you’re making other plans.” We are so fortunate and blessed to have our amazing family, fabulous friends and a great life here in Arizona.
