News Team Bios

Susan Farley, a familiar face in Eastern Maine, has joined the WVII ABC 7 and Fox 22 News team.

Most recently Susan served as the executive director at the Ellsworth Area Chamber of Commerce, but now returns to her roots in news, a long history that began in 1987 when she held the position of news director at WDEA/ WWMJ radio stations. In 1990 she became the assignment editor at WABI-TV for six years. She left the station to run her own successful business while continuing to assist WABI in coverage of elections and other special events. She returned to WABI full-time in 2003 to serve as the station’s Coastal Bureau chief for the next six years.

“I am very happy for this opportunity to return to the newsroom,” said Farley. “I’m looking forward to working with the entire ABC 7/Fox 22 News team to bring quality news reporting to our viewers.”

JR Mitchell joined the news team in September of 2015 following a lengthy career in radio, most recently having spent 13 years as the morning show host for Q-106.5 in Bangor. JR has also worked at stations in Millinocket, Houlton and Ellsworth as well.

JR was born in Machias and attended school in the town of Millinocket. He was very involved in politics, music and athletics, and that drove his desire to go into broadcasting. Graduating from the New England School of Broadcasting in 1986. JR is a two-time Country Music Association nominee for Small Market Personality of the Year, and also by the Academy of Country Music for the same award.

JR is a Master Mason at Mystic Lodge #65 in Hampden and is the Chaplain of Anah Shriners in Bangor, as well as being in many of the clubs involved with Anah Shriners, and is a huge supporter of the Pine Tree Camp for Children and Adults with Disabilities.

JR enjoys attending sporting events, live concerts, and telling the stories of the people in Eastern, Central and Northern Maine.

Beth Jones is ecstatic to join the WVII team after reporting and managing a newsroom in Burlington, VT as well as reporting and anchoring Portland, Maine for three years.

Beth got her start in reporting in Central New York after getting her master’s degree from Syracuse University. Go Orange! Beth is passionate about news, informing her community, and telling stories that matter to viewers.

She has also been involved with animal rescue since 2007, when she served as a dog walker for the ASPCA in Manhattan. She hasn’t stopped advocating for animals since and has volunteered for a foster-based Maine rescue for several years now.

Beth loves spending time with her family including her two dogs Sophie and Josie, as well as outdoor adventures. She also enjoys dance (especially ballroom), rowing, boxing and food!

Kayla Hevey joined the ABC 7 and Fox 22 news team in June of 2019.

She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University where she majored in broadcast journalism. While at Quinnipiac, she was a member of the school’s student-run television station, Q30 Television, covering local and entertainment news as an executive producer and host of a lifestyle show. She also gained experience interning at several news stations across Connecticut.

Kayla is from Somers, Connecticut, but some of her best memories are visiting the southern coast of Maine on vacation with her family in York. She’s excited to start her career here in Bangor while getting the chance to explore other parts of the state.

If you see her around, say hi! Kayla can be contacted at [email protected]
or on Twitter @kaylahevey.

Joe Cortese joined the ABC 7 & FOX 22 in March 2020

He graduated from Keene State College in 2017, where he majored in Public Relations Journalism. While at Keene State, Joe was a part of the Keene baseball team for four years and reported for KSC-TV. He gained experience in the media through WEEI Sports Radio Network as a producer and loves anything to do with sports, especially baseball and football.

Joe has been a coach in youth baseball the last three years, coaching at both Energy Athletics and Mizuno Northeast in Massachusetts. He loves teaching kids about how sports can have a positive impact on their lives.

Originally from the little town of Upton, Massachusetts, Joe is excited to start his career in Bangor and explore every corner of the state with his dog, Dakota. He is extremely eager to get to know the community and don’t be afraid to say hi!

Got a story idea? Reach out to him at [email protected] or send him a twitter message @JoeNews42.

Dillon joined ABC 7 and FOX 22 in August of 2021.

He is a graduate of San Antonio College and Rutgers University. Dillon’s experience includes covering college basketball, natural sciences, spot news and anything sports related for The Ranger, an award-winning student newspaper at San Antonio College.

Dillon studied Journalism and Media Studies as well as Evolutionary Anthropology at Rutgers in New Brunswick, NJ.

He also spent time as a staff writer for Jersey Sporting News covering various New Jersey teams and athletes.

Originally from Washington State, Dillon is excited to start his television news career in Bangor.

His passions outside of journalism include watching and playing sports, exploring nature with his dog Bruce and reading.

Dillon can be reached at [email protected] or on Twitter @dillonreports. Send any story ideas his way and give him a follow.

Brooke Reilly joined the ABC 7 and Fox 22 news team in May of 2020.

She is a graduate of Quinnipiac University, where she studied journalism. While at Quinnipiac, Brooke was a member of the school’s student-run television station, Q30 Television.

Throughout her four years with the station, she held several positions, including news director, executive producer of the newscast, associate producer of a lifestyle show and secretary. Brooke gained experience anchoring shows and reporting stories regarding the university and local area. Her work with Q30 was recognized by the Society of Professional Journalists and College Media Association.

During her time at Quinnipiac, Brooke also kept busy working as an orientation leader for incoming students and a student ambassador for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Brooke previously worked at NBC News with the TODAY Show as a production intern, KTLA 5 News as an assignment desk intern, the FOX News Channel’s Los Angeles bureau as a college associate and FiOS1 News as a news intern.

Originally from Cornwall, NY, Brooke is excited to begin her professional reporting career here in Bangor and explore Maine.

David Horwitz joined the ABC 7 and Fox 22 news team in May of 2020. He is excited to immerse himself in the Bangor community and bring stories to the people of Maine!

David comes to us from WFSB in Hartford, Connecticut where he got his start in TV news as an analyst for March Madness, making predictions for college basketball tournament games. He then worked as the news and sports intern covering everything from fires to high school sports, Covid-19 and much more.

Before that David worked with at-risk youth helping them achieve their academic and employment goals. He has vast experience in the nonprofit sector helping the less fortunate.

David is a native of West Hartford, Connecticut and University of Connecticut graduate. During his time at UConn, David was a member of the Huskies practice basketball team that helped prepare the women’s team for one of its national championship runs.

In his spare time, he coaches youth travel basketball, loves to play sports and volunteers in the community. Please send your story ideas David’s way.

You can reach David by email at [email protected]

Cierra Jordan came aboard the ABC 7 and FOX 22 News team in July of 2020.

Cierra received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Connecticut. Originally from New York, she developed a passion for visual storytelling and giving a voice to the voiceless. As a UConn Husky, she spent most of her days as a news and sports reporter for the student television station, UCTV. Her biggest break was when she covered the UConn Women’s Basketball regional semi-finals game against Mississippi state back in 2016.

After she graduated from UConn, she became a feature reporter for the Cape Cod Baseball Summer League in Cotuit, Massachusetts.

In addition to her summer internship experience, she gained professional experience at MLB Network as a Broadcast Associate.

Outside the newsroom, Cierra is a socialite who enjoys hiking and attending sporting events and festivals when she’s not covering them. She also hosts a YouTube channel where she interviews professional athletes and top high school and college athletes.

Coming from the “Big Apple,” she is excited to start her career here in Bangor and hopes to bring the best to the table.

Please feel free to contact Cierra at any time @[email protected] if you have a story to tell, or just simply want to say hi.

You can also follow Cierra on Twitter and Facebook at @CierraJordanTV

Stephanie Wittenbach joined the ABC 7 and FOX 22 team in December 2020.

She loves writing and broadcasting and during her off time, you can find her honing her skills and enjoying life.
A native of Los Angeles, California, she is making her way back to New England after she recently graduated from Emerson College in 2019 with a bachelor of science degree in journalism.
While attending Emerson, she became a morning host and producer for 88.9 WERS, working alongside longtime radio host George Knight. Soon after she began hosting shows including “The Secret Spot” and “Standing Room Only.”

While Stephanie loved working in radio, she began anchoring with her school’s TV Network EIV. She started as an international correspondent and made her way up to executive producer, running a cast and crew of 30 with a live 30-minute newscast. She has worked as a multimedia intern at local cable access TV stations, including Arlington Community Media and Somerville Media Center in Massachusetts.

Stephanie loves working out and dancing to feel alive and healthy. She loves the beach, her family and this year is committed to being more creative. An avid long boarder, now that she is in New England she is excited to try something different like skiing or snowboarding.
You can reach Stephanie by email at [email protected]

Melissa joined the ABC 7 and FOX 22 news team in March 2021. She is really excited to join such a great news team and immerse herself in the community here in Maine. 

Melissa is from Longmeadow, Massachusetts and graduated from Emerson College in 2019 with her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. During her time in Boston, she interned at Boston’s News Leader WCVB-TV ABC 5 in the newsroom. She was an evening anchor and correspondent for WEBN News and reported for Emerson Independent Video. She also produced a show for the Emerson Channel.

She is passionate about all things  journalism and loves to write in her free time. 

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys hiking, exploring Maine, hanging out with friends, trying new local food and spending time with her cat Simba. She also loves taking care of her house plants. 

If you have any story ideas, contact her at [email protected]

Geoff joined Rockfleet Communications in November 2015 as a weekend meteorologist and reporter. In 2018 Geoff won the Broadcasters Association Award for Best Weathercast.

A native of Grayslake, Illinois. Geoff is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma, Geoff supplemented his broadcast meteorology education with Mississippi State University.

Directly out of college, Geoff took a career detour. he entered into the business world working in several large cities all over the country, including stops in Chicago, Miami, Orlando, Dallas, Phoenix, Atlanta and Las Vegas. While his experiences in the business world proved successful, they took him away from his true passion. In late 2013 Geoff decided it was time to follow his dreams. he quit his job, re-enrolled in school and picked up a full time weather internship at WGBA-TV (NBC26) in Green Bay Wisconsin. This internship complimented his years long internships back in Oklahoma.

Geoff loves the outdoors. While he is technically always working (observing the weather is a 24/7 job!), you can find him skiing, biking and boating that is, when he isn’t up in the air sharpening his skills as a licensed pilot and Certified Flight Instructor.

Devin joined the ABC 7 and Fox 22 weather team in October 2018 as the Weekend Meteorologist. In August of 2020, he moved to the Weekday Morning Meteorologist roll. He also works in the Morning Meteorologist roll with our sister station WJFW Newswatch 12 in Rhinelander, WI.

Devin attended Western Illinois University in Macomb, Illinois, where he graduated with a bachelor’s of science in meteorology and a minor in broadcasting. He got his first experience in live TV when he interned for NBC affiliate, WAND-TV 17 in Decatur, Illinois, in the summer of 2015. Devin’s experience grew when he was recruited to be the weather anchor for NEWS3, the on-campus TV station from January 2016 until he graduated. Additionally, Devin created forecasts for Tri-States Public Radio throughout his college years.

Devin is proud to call himself the No. 1 Leatherneck fan for Western Illinois University. On days they play, especially in football and basketball, you can expect Devin to be cheering his alma mater. An avid sports fan, he also cheers for the Wisconsin Badgers, Chicago NHL hockey, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Bears.

Devin enjoys interacting with everyone. Please feel free to reach out to him on social media or directly via email at [email protected].

Andrew is a Wisconsin native from Waterford, a small town on the outskirts of Milwaukee. He studied meteorology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

After his time at UW Madison, Andrew worked in utility vegetation management out of northern California. There, he mitigated fire hazards, especially for the Kincade Fire in 2019.

Andrew enjoys traveling and outdoor recreation. During his time at Madison, he spent time living in Morocco to study Arabic language and Moroccan culture. In fact, he has visited four of the seven continents so far.

When he is stateside, he loves spending time at his family’s lake house in the Northwoods. In the wintertime you can find Andrew strapping on his snowboard and enjoying a fresh snowfall on the slopes and trails. During the summertime, Andrew is likely gearing up for camping and hiking adventures.

Andrew is always looking for good conversation. He can be reached at Facebook and Twitter by clicking the links above.

John Wagoner joined the ABC 7 and FOX 22 sports team in September 2018.

He is a recent graduate of the University of South Carolina, where he gained experience in multiple newsrooms across the Carolinas, as well as working with ESPN U and CBS Sports. John was a member of Student Gamecock Television in his time at South Carolina, where he did everything from sketch comedy to producing their sports show, Capital City Sports.

John loves all sports from curling to cricket, and although he’s never lived north of the Mason-Dixon Line, he’s excited to get to know the sports landscape of eastern Maine!

You can get in touch with him at [email protected] or on Twitter @jwagonersports.

Dave Peck joined the ABC 7 and FOX 22 news team in August of 2020.

He is a graduate of Bowdoin College, where he studied history and theater before attending Northwestern University to earn his master’s degree in journalism. Early on at Bowdoin, Dave played varsity football and baseball for the Polar Bears before hanging it up due to injury. Dave transitioned to media working for Brunswick’s Radio MidCoast WCME as well as the Bowdoin Athletic Department. He also spent two summers doing play-by-play and sideline reporting for the Newport Gulls baseball team of the NECBL before interning at NBC 10 Boston in 2019.

Originally from Old Lyme, Connecticut, Dave is excited to return to New England, and Maine in particular, to tell stories in his favorite region. Outside of the newsroom, Dave is always looking for his next tennis match and roots for all-things Boston sports!

Feel free to reach out to Dave at [email protected] with any story ideas, or follow him on Twitter @DaveLPeck.