Karen has a long history with broadcasting and WEYI. She fell in love with television when she was a child and was ecstatic when she was offered the opportunity to participate in a television production class at Grosse Pointe South High School. Her mentor, Dr. Julie Corbet, decided to take her under her wing and push her head first into the industry.
Karen's first television job was at the ripe old age of 15, when she worked as a camera operator for Grosse Pointe Cable. By 16, she was directing. She also was a co-producer, director and played a supporting role in a spoof production called “Grosse Pointe 48236.” Guess what show they were spoofing.
Karen continued her education at Macomb Community College and then at Specs Howard School of Broadcasting. Specs helped her find her first post-graduation job producing at Comcast, where she wrote, produced, shot and edited commercials. With that experience, Karen found her way to WEYI.
Karen joined the WEYI team in November 1994. Her first role at the station was to assist in client commercial production and to co-produce the children’s television show, “Young People’s Report.” YPR produced numerous MAB awards and two Michigan Emmys.
In 2006, Karen became the stations Interactive Manager, working with the staff to improve station's online effort. In 2009, Karen became WEYI's Marketing Research Director.
Karen is married to a “hometown boy," who is a hard-working farmer. And if you recognize Karen's last name, yes, he’s related to half of Tuscola County. Karen's family has relocated from the Detroit area to Mid-Michigan. Her father is a member of the Tuscola County Sheriff's Department and her sister is a teacher in the Birch Run School district. She and her family and truly invested in the Mid-Michigan community.
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FUN FACTS FROM AN INTERVIEW WITH KAREN
Favorite Movie? Gone With the Wind
If you were stranded on an island – what’s the one thing you’d want with you? A raft
Person you most want to have dinner with? My grandfather
Favorite story you’ve covered? I loved covering the Michael Buble concert. One of my favorite singers and he puts on one heck of a show.
Interesting talent you possess? I have monkey toes, I can pick up almost anything with them. It disturbs my husband but I find it quite usefull.
Best vacation you’ve taken? My last big trip with my family before moving out was to Branson, Missouri. We had a cabin on a lake in the mountains and spent a week having fun in that crazy town.
Movie star crush? Alexander Skarsgard
Place you’d most like to visit? I would love to go to Italy and find my ancestral home.
Charity or non-profit organization you volunteer for? I lend a hand every year to the Millington Hometown Days Festival. It’s a great event that supports many projects in the community.
Favorite childhood memory? When I was 12 I took a motorcycle trip with my father from Detroit, Michigan to the Black Hills in South Dakota. There’s nothing like seeing our country from the view on a motorcycle.
Way you like your coffee? I don’t, I’m a tea girl.
What do you do to “treat” yourself? Curl up with a good supernatural or sci-fi thriller and a glass of wine.
Number one thing on your “bucket” list? To own my own Italian restaurant.
Favorite Michigan spot to visit / vacation? We do a ladies shopping trip every fall to Novi. All women, no men or children allowed, no calling home, just food, fun, female bonding and shopping. So I guess Novi would be my favorite destination.
