#MediaMonday – Luke Garrison
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.
Luke Garrison is the fairly new(well if you count February as fairly new) 6 p.m. news producer at ABC15. Truth be told he actually started at ABC15 in 2010 as a morning producer so I guess he’s not really that new at all!
He loves to write stories that have true emotion and purpose and also looks for what’s happening “now” and always tries to implement breaking news whenever, wherever and however he can.
Luke moved to Phoenix from Minnesota in 2010 because he wanted to experience living somewhere new. He has his Bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota.
Luke now resides in Phoenix with his girlfriend and wiener dog, Paisley.
So, Luke, take it away!
What do you want to tell the blogosphere about yourself today?
I grew up in Minnesota my whole life, experiencing the cold winters, rainy springs and summers and plenty of amazing “northern accents” (you betcha). Until high school, I never considered a career in journalism. My father was a TV reporter for many years and I was bound and determined to try something different.
That mindset lasted until I joined my high school’s TV program in Eagan, Minn. From there I was hooked. I attended a small college in Minnesota called Gustavus Adolphus. Although they didn’t have a journalism degree or a TV program, I made the most of my experience. I helped start a TV program there that still exists today. I used that and internships to get my real-world experience.
Following college, I started as an associate producer at KSTP in Minneapolis in 2009. I quickly realized, however, that I wanted to see more of this great country. My brother lived in Phoenix at the time, and while visiting him, I applied to ABC15. Four years later, I’ve worked my way up from morning to 6 p.m. producer, winning an Emmy Award along the way.
I am blessed to enjoy my work each and every day. Outside of the job I love running, playing board games, and watching sports—typically all of which are with my girlfriend and adorable puppy.
I never thought I could call some place other than Minnesota home, but I am happy to say Arizona is my home.
