‘wfmj today’ Schneider leaving anchor position
By GUY D’ASTOLFO
After nearly 14 years, Scott Schneider will say goodbye to “WFMJ Today” this week. Friday will be his last day.
It will mark the end of a long chapter for Schneider, who was part of the daily morning TV newsmagazine’s on-air team from its inception. He is the only remaining member that is still on the show.
“Nearly 14 years ago, I sat in a room with a handful of people at WFMJ staring at a blank tablet,” said Schneider in a statement. “My colleagues and I were charged with creating an entirely new early morning broadcast — a first for WFMJ. Our goal was to deliver a fresh, energetic approach to morning news.
“I consider myself fortunate to have been here for the launch of ‘WFMJ Today’ and to have played a significant role in its success over these many years.”
Schneider did not reveal the direction his career will go next.
“After careful consideration I have decided it is time I leave my post as morning anchor,” he said. “I am going to take some time off and hope to begin the next chapter of my life right here in northeast Ohio.”
The original “WFMJ Today” team consisted of Schneider, anchor Nicole Perry, Lisa Montgomery on weather, and live reporter Susan DeLeo. Schneider left the show briefly in 2003 for a position at a Jacksonville, Fla., station, but soon returned.
Though no one event stands out in his mind as a highlight of his tenure, Schneider said his fondest memories are “the laughter — particularly during those moments when we stopped being ‘journalists’ and allowed ourselves to let loose.”
A Los Angeles native, Schneider is a graduate of California Polytechnic State University-Pomona. He came to 21 WFMJ-TV from a station in Clarksville, W.Va.
After Schneider leaves, WFMJ reporter Mike Case will play a more prominent role on “WFMJ Today,” said Mona Alexander, news director for the station.
She added that more changes to the show will be phased in around the end of January.