Saturday, September 04, 2010
Meet the WIBX news team

Meet the WIBX News Team

 

 

Jim Rondenelli is a life-long Utica resident who graduated from Herkimer County Community College in 1980 with a degree in Radio-TV Broadcasting. After a brief stint as a part-time sports reporter with the Utica Observer-Dispatch, Jim began his radio career at Utica's WRUN radio in 1982.

Today, Jim works overnights preparing most of the stories you hear during The Mohawk Valley's First News on WIBX. He also prepares the brief news updates heard on the other Regent Broadcasting stations.

Jim is an avid sports fan and collector of sports memorabilia. He also enjoys listening to music, biking and playing golf... although he refuses to divulge his handicap!

 

 

 

 

Although born in Fort Knox, Kentucky, Jeff has always considered himself a New Yorker. Jeff is a graduate of Utica's Notre Dame High School and HCCC. While working on his Associate Degree at Herkimer, he began working for the area's top radio group, Regent Broadcasting. Jeff joined WIBX's news team as a full time reporter in February of 2005. Jeff anchors the WIBX local news updates and is a co-host of the 5:00 News Block.

 

Jeanette Lenoir, the newest member of the WIBX News Team, moved to the area from Washington, DC. Her previous work took her from the Mayor's Office in Houston, TX where she worked in the Mayor's Anti-Gang Office on a DOJ Truancy Reduction program. Her next move took her to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC where she worked as a Deputy Press Secretary and Special Assistant. From there, she took a Reporter position with WAMU and was credited for breaking the Charlotte-Mecklenberg School District plagiarism story involving DC Mayor Adrian Fenty's school take over plan. Her passion for journalism has lead her to the Greater Mohawk Valley to further her pursuit in Broadcasting. She holds a Bachelors of Science in Journalism with a Minor in Broadcasting. Originally from South America, Suriname she speaks several languages including Dutch and Surinamese. Jeanette covers the Mohawk Valley and co-anchors the 5:00 News Block with Jeff Monaski.

 

 

 

 

 

WIBX listeners may remember Ken from his on-air work at the station about 10 years ago. A native of the area, Ken is a graduate of Utica College and has a background in marketing and sales. He has worked in municipal government at both the city and county level. In addition to his duties on WIBX’s First News and substitute co-host of First Look, he currently serves as the Public Information Officer for the Oneida County Health Department. Ken and his wife Claudia reside in Marcy, they have four sons and two grandchildren.

 

 

 

 

 

Zach began broadcast journalism as a reporter, anchor and producer for Herkimer College's student-run television station HCTV Channel 99 News. From Herkimer College, he earned an Associate of Applied Science degree in Television/Radio Broadcasting.

 

Zach furthered his education at Utica College of Syracuse University. There, he studied intense writing and production techniques. Zach was a beat reporter for UC's newspaper, The Tangerine, and hosted a weekly newscast on WPNR-FM 90.7. It was here, at Utica College, that he discovered his talent for reporting and writing. In Spring 2008, he interned at WUTR-TV in Utica, NY. While there, he headed Earth Expo 2008, a showcase of businesses and schools dedicated to the green movement. He was also head energy reporter at the television station. 


Now, at News Radio 950 WIBX, Zach reports on events that take place at the Utica Common Council and Utica School Board meetings; he also reports on issues that concern Utica and its surrounding areas.