Pay It Forward: Jeff Johnson of Montgomery
Jeff Johnson, or "Coach Jeff" as he's more affectionately known, has been coaching and helping young men in the Montgomery area get college scholarships since 2012.
Ellis Eskew
Ellis Eskew joined WAKA in October 2012. She anchors Action 8 News at 11:00AM, Noon, 5:00 & 5:30PM.
With nearly 20 years of experience in the TV news business, Ellis has held many different jobs both in front of and behind the camera.
She got her start in TV in her hometown of Dalton, Georgia. From there, she went on to report for stations in Chattanooga, Tennessee, and Huntsville, Alabama, where she was anchor/producer for the FOX affiliate.
Ellis graduated from Brenau University in Gainesville, Georgia, with a degree in Mass Communications/Broadcast Journalism. Her senior year, she interned at CNN in Atlanta.
Ellis has received several awards for her work, including “Best News Anchor” from the Alabama Broadcasters Association. She competed against news anchors from all across the state, regardless of market size, to win this recognition.
Ellis says one of her most memorable stories includes getting to travel with 100 World War II veterans to Washington, DC to see the war memorials. It was called Honor Flight. Telling the amazing stories of these brave men and women was an honor for Ellis, and she believes they truly are “The Greatest Generation.”
Ellis also got the opportunity to fly in a CH-47 Chinook helicopter with the Georgia National Guard Armory to cover their training in Fort Stewart.
When she is not reporting the latest news, Ellis enjoys traveling, working with children, drawing and painting and being active in her church and community.
Articles
Pay It Forward: Pat Coots of Millbrook
Pat Coots volunteers his time to help out at his church whether it's driving a church bus or sweeping the floors.
Pay It Forward: Charles Smith of Montgomery
Charles Smith is a retired math teacher who has returned to teaching for the state to help students improve their ACT scores. He has implemented math labs in most of the high schools in Montgomery. "I nominated him because everything…
Pay It Forward: Bernard Pace of Tuskegee
Bernard Pace of Tuskegee is a trained food service worker. He spent 23 years in the Army as a cook and supervisor. Now he uses his skills to help his church.
Pay It Forward: David Brunson of Wetumpka
David Brunson has been a volunteer firefighter for 25 years. He retired with the Elmore County EMA after 17 years. But he continues to serve others.
Pay It Forward: Cassandra Kennedy of Montgomery
Cassandra Kennedy has always been the kind of person to pay it forward to others whatever the need. "It's what's in my heart. I've been like this all my life. You know if…
Pay It Forward: James Marshall of Montgomery
Dr. James Marshall is celebrating 47 years as the pastor of Rosa Parks Ave Church of God. But his work extends beyond the pulpit as he has been a consistent advocate for social justice,…
Pay It Forward: Daisy Bolden of Montgomery
Daisy Bolden just retire after spending 41 years working with seniors in the River Region. She has blessed a lot of people in those years and considers them family. "She is always at weddings and baby showers of the seniors…
Pay It Forward: LaQuesha Hollenquest of Coosada
LaQuesha Hollenquest says she was taught it is better to give than receive. And that's how she lives her life. Hollenquest is a full time caregiver to her mother and is…
Pay It Forward: Kai Weekly of Wetumpka
Kai Weekly is the leader of a ministry called Celebrate Recovery at Santuck Baptist Church.
