CV
Professional Summary
I'm an award-winning journalist and experienced multimedia storyteller specializing in Eastern Kentucky and environmental issues across the commonwealth. As a reporter for the Lexington Herald-Leader, I cover the people, communities and challenges shaping Appalachia, with a focus on compelling, accountability-driven journalism that gives overlooked communities a voice.
My work combines investigative reporting, public records research, data analysis, photography, video and audio storytelling to explain complex issues that impact Kentuckians. I bring experience covering local government, energy, labor, environmental policy and rural communities, along with a commitment to accurate, accessible and engaging journalism across digital platforms.
I'm a former labor and benefits reporter at Bloomberg Industry group in Washington, D.C., where I specialized in U.S. retirement policy. Before that, I was a two-year fellow at the Investigative Reporting Workshop, where my work concentrated on drinking water access and contamination in central California and rural Louisiana. I also spent time embedded with an investigative practicum team at The Washington Post.
I cut my teeth as a reporter working for daily newspapers in western Kentucky. In 2020, I graduated with a master's degree in investigative journalism from American University where I served as president of the School of Communication Graduate Student Council.
I'm a trained and experienced multimedia reporter passionate about watchdog journalism and public-service reporting.
Skills
Breaking News Investigative journalism AP-style editing Elegant writing Social Media Photojournalism Data journalism Audio/video editing Research Fact-checking Interviewing Web-based content management systems Audience analytics & SEO
Work Experience
Nov. 2025-present
Lexington Herald-Leader - Eastern Kentucky & Environmental Reporter
Cover Eastern Kentucky news for Central Kentucky’s paper of record from an Appalachian bureau and lead the newspaper’s statewide environmental coverage.
Dec. 2020-Nov. 2025
Bloomberg Industry Group - Regulatory Reporter
Produced daily and enterprise news coverage of employee-benefits regulation at the U.S. Labor Department, Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, and IRS.
July 2019-Dec. 2020
Investigative Reporting Workshop - Graduate Fellow
Reported and wrote data-driven investigations, managed social media and tracked immigration policy; assigned to The Washington Post investigations team.
May 2016-Dec. 2019
Messenger-Inquirer - Government Reporter
Monitored government and policy trends for the city of Owensboro, produced weekly podcast; led newsroom investigations.
June 2015-May 2016
McLean County News - Editor
Managed newspaper and online publishing staff for a weekly newspaper; responsibilities included editing, reporting, photography, etc.
Oct. 2013-June 2015
Murray Ledger & Times - Reporter/Photographer
Developed daily general news coverage for the community and produced several weekly newspaper sections; redesigned online edition.
May 2013-Nov. 2013
WKMS-FM - Reporter
Followed local and statewide beats for National Public Radio affiliate; contributed to nationally award-winning documentary coverage.
June 2015-May 2016
The Murray State News - Editor-in-Chief
Operated weekly student newspaper, managing editorial and advertising staff; responsible for overseeing weekly content and finances.
Education
July 2019-Dec. 2020
American University, Washington, D.C. — M.A. in Investigative Journalism
Awarded graduate reporting fellowship and led investigations into water quality among disadvantaged, unincorporated communities in California’s Central Valley and water access in Louisiana, served on the School of Communication dean search committee and as graduate student council president.
Aug. 2010-May 2015
Murray State University, Murray, Ky. — B.A. in Journalism
Graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in journalism and dual political science and photojournalism minors; editor-in-chief of The Murray State News; member of Kappa Tau Alpha National Honor Society in Journalism and Mass Communications and National Collegiate Honors Society.
Interests
I'm an avid outdoorsman who enjoys hiking, fishing, kayaking and climbing. My wife, daughter and I love exploring Eastern Kentucky's mountains, trails, rivers and hollows, and taking advantage of the outdoor adventures that Appalachia has to offer.