Adriana Mendez will join the NBC station in Milwaukee, Wisconsin WTMJ as the station’s new morning anchor.
Mendez will co-anchor alongside Tom Durian. It replaces Symone Woolridgewho announced his departure in September.
The station said Mendez started at the station’s front desk more than a decade ago, commuting every day from Kenosha.
“It’s been an emotional whirlwind, and as I’m ready to embark on this new journey, I can’t help but think about those early days driving from Kenosha to Milwaukee to work as a part-time receptionist at TMJ4 “Méndez said. “At the time, a lot of people wondered why I would commute 50 minutes just to work a few hours a day; Deep down, I thought it would be the first stepping stone to something bigger.
After interning in the news and sports departments, she worked in Waco, Texas, as a general assignment reporter. She then moved to Grand Rapids, Michigan and Asheville, North Carolina, where she worked as a traffic anchor and multimedia reporter, before returning to TMJ4 in 2018.
“Adriana is one of the hardest-working people I know,” said Tim Vetscherinformation director. “She is also the first person to reward other colleagues for their good work. So not only is she a great reporter, but she’s also a great teammate. We couldn’t be more excited that Adriana is taking this next step with TMJ4 News.
“For six years, I have called TMJ4 my second family. I met so many amazing and wonderful viewers who also felt like extended family and friends,” Adriana added. “I am so honored that we can all take this next journey together.”
