To the guy who was my first friend in TV.
To the guy who gave me the nickname “Intern Extraordinaire” waaaaaaay back when (Summer 2007).
To the guy who pushed me – without even knowing it – to do better and be better as a Producer, a Reporter, an Anchor, and most importantly… as a Friend.
I would not be where I am or who I am if it weren’t for you. You have made a huge impact on me, my career, and this community. I know my story is just one of hundreds – maybe even thousands – in our industry or in our area, but it’s a story that needs to be told… and for the last eight years, you’ve helped me tell it.
On Friday, May 8th, 2015, WQAD will say “See Ya Later, Buddy” to Jason Fechner. It means Monday, May 11th, 2015 will be a very strange day for our viewers, for the community, and for us here at WQAD. It means when you turn on the TV during the week at 5pm, 6pm, and 10pm – you won’t hear his voice.
It means you won’t see him running along the Mississippi River in the mornings or stopping across the street at the 7-Eleven for coffee in the afternoons or — GASP — finagling his way to get as much Chinese food as possible at Hy-Vee on Friday nights. It means we’re losing… not just a main anchor at our station, but a main anchor of our area.
I have always admired Jason for his “hard work and determination” (a little WQAD inside joke) to his role as a newsman, but I admire him even more for his dedication to our community and his role in helping its many, many causes.
To raise money in the fight against cancer, Jason kayaked and literally fought the currents on the Mississippi River for 12 HOURS! To raise money so The Salvation Army could get a little closer to its goal for the Red Kettle Campaign, Jason rose up and rang a bell for 24 HOURS! Even in smaller ways (which are big to many), Jason has made giving back and paying it forward… effortless, easy, expected in life. I consider myself simply lucky that I’ve been able to be part of some of those efforts with him.
I am more than lucky that I’ve been able to sit at the same anchor desk with Jason when Denise Hnytka (who is amazing by the way, just need to throw that out there) is off or when a fill-in is needed. On the weekends, it’s seriously an honor to sit in the same chair that Jason sits in during the week. I never have – and never will – take this job and these opportunities for granted. I know Jason never has – and never will – either.
Jason has supported me and my career goals since I was an Intern for WQAD in the Summer of 2007. I remember I did the most mundane story in a newscast towards the end of that Internship and Jason introduced me – then Angie Mitchum – as “Our Intern Extraordinaire.” He didn’t have to do that, but he did. He made me feel important, worthy, and respected. Nearly eight years later, he still makes me feel important, worthy, and respected. In fact – now that I think about it – he has a way of making every single person he meets feel important, worthy, and respected. I’ve witnessed it.
And I’m going to miss that – seeing the way he interacts with people, shakes their hand, places his hand on their shoulder… emcees events, makes jokes, isn’t afraid of making fun of himself, knows so much about the organization he’s speaking for… banters with Denise and James, keeps the pace of a show, writes beautifully, accepts his self as an anchor, not a persona of “This is Jason the Anchor”… finds a balance of being friendly and professional and serious and unique. I have learned so much from him. He is a teacher just as much as he is a co-worker and a big brother and a dear, dear friend to me.
There are only a handful of people who I attribute to where I am today. Jason is one of those people. Even though he is leaving WQAD, I have a feeling he will still be one of those people. I will still go to him for advice, for encouragement, for a laugh. I will still send him texts on holidays, my favorite emojis, hilarious memes, and my coffee order. I will still see him (whether he likes it or not!) whenever he visits the Quad Cities so we can catch up, have a quick lunch, or take a walk.
What’s more – Even though he is leaving, I will still be trying to be at least 5% of what Jason has been to our station, to our viewers, and to our community. I will get involved more, speak up more, do something crazy for charity, meet new people, ask questions, be kind, accept all, smile, laugh, and be okay with being myself. Jason has inspired me to be a better person all-around and knowing he’s inspired others to do the same, I have a feeling he’s leaving this market and this area in pretty darn good hands.
Jason is leaving a mark that no one will be able to repeat – stand on, sit in, kayak up – or replace. So as hard as it is to say “See Ya Later, Buddy” – I am so happy that he is now going to be able to share his passion with others in another place.
I know my story is just one of hundreds that people have about Jason and his impact on their life. None of this should really come as a surprise to people in our area, but I felt like my story needed to be shared… and since our job is to be storytellers, what better way to tell it than right here, right now.
J – I wish you better than the best. You deserve it more than anyone I know. Finally, thank you… for being such a great friend and role model and character in my story. I can’t wait to see where this next chapter of your story takes you.
– A