Communiqué
WOUB opened doors for Los Angeles TV Reporter John Cádiz Klemack
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ATHENS, OH – As the son of a Polish American father and Cuban refugee mother, John Cádiz Klemack came to Ohio University with many skills and experiences other students didn’t have. The bilingual journalism student had spoken Spanish since his childhood in Grove City and knew he wanted to bring his unique background and perspective to a television news career. So, he started working at WOUB right away to start developing his skills as a broadcaster.
“I got involved with WOUB as a freshman,” said Klemack. “Students who worked at WOUB got to sharpen their journalism skills daily. It was the extracurricular activity you did. The professional staff provided wonderful feedback for students, looking at scripts and constantly helping you read, write and express stories better.”
Klemack was never afraid to jump into whatever was going on at WOUB and believed in taking advantage of every opportunity available to learn and grow.
“When we set up a live camera in the newsroom, I was one of the first to use it,” said Klemack. “I did a newsroom live shot for a story about a child that had been mauled by a dog, a story that to this day, changed my perspective and approach to storytelling. It made me realize the responsibility that journalists have when telling someone else’s story.”
Klemack took that newfound perspective into WOUB’s first remote live shot with a satellite truck in February of 2001.
“I’ll never forget it. It was Valentine’s Day, and it was in Charleston, West Virginia,” said Klemack. “President Bush had just taken office, and it was his first trip to the area since becoming President. I did a live shot with Air Force One in the background.”
After graduation, Klemack returned to the Charleston area. He was hired as the morning news anchor and general assignment reporter for WOWK-TV. He also worked as a statewide news correspondent for the station’s three-affiliate network. After about three years, Klemack moved on to spend four years as a reporter and anchor for KSTU-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah. While there, he covered the Elizabeth Smart kidnapping and the arrest and prosecution of polygamist sect leader Warren Jeffs. In 2008, Klemack was hired as a general assignment reporter at the NBC affiliate in Los Angeles. In that role, he has covered some of the highest profile stories throughout Southern California, across the nation and abroad. Klemack was on scene to cover the tragic mass shootings in Parkland, Florida, Las Vegas, Nevada and El Paso, Texas. He reported from South Florida to cover the devastation of Hurricane Irma on the region, even filing reports for NBC4’s sister-station, Telemundo and he was sent to Mexico to cover two papal visits, those of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis.
“It’s been great to use my Spanish on Telemundo,” said Klemack. “I feel my Latino perspective, with the culture of strong family ties and bonds, has helped me focus more on how the stories I tell impact people.”
Klemack has been honored with several industry awards, including the L.A. Press Club Award for his continuing coverage of an elementary school child abuse scandal. He was the recipient of an Edward R. Murrow Award, Emmy Award, Associated Press Award for “Best Spot News Coverage” and multiple awards from the Society of Professional Journalists for “Best Reporter,” “Best Spot News” and “Best News Series.” He was also awarded “The Responsible Journalism Award” by the L.A. County Probation Officers Union.
“I wouldn’t be here today without WOUB. WOUB created the journalistic integrity I carry with me today,” said Klemack. “I was able to make mistakes and learn from them. For that, I am truly grateful.”