TV’s John Clay vacates anchor chair, takes on new challenge
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WTAJ Anchor and Managing Editor John Clay is changing careers after 21 years at WTAJ TV as a reporter, anchor, editor and mentor. His last newscasts will be March 12. On March 16, he starts as voluntary services officer at Van Zandt VA Medical Center, Altoona.
He told the Mirror's Patt Keith, "I will really miss my co-anchor Amanda Kenney. The best part of the WTAJ newsroom is definitely the people in it that care for each other. … And special thanks to Phil Dubrow for helping to make this tough change as easy as possible."
As a Navy veteran, Clay said he's passionate about making a difference for veterans and for the community and this position offers him the opportunity to do both.
"This opportunity came up, and it feels like a great fit for me," he said.
Here are his reflections:
Mirror: Most memorable story you covered?
Clay: Of course I'll remember the stories that I spent hundreds of hours covering, like the (Jerry) Sandusky sex abuse scandal and the I-99 acid rock cleanup. I spent countless hours covering environmental issues with our Central PA Green series. But as a veteran, what I enjoyed most was covering stories of local veterans.
My favorite part of this job has always been to discover a unique or personal story of someone and then be able to share that story with the community. Talking with WWII and Vietnam veterans about what they experienced and how they got through the tough times was amazing and inspiring. There are some veterans that I have met that I know I'll be friends with for the rest of my life. And it all started from a simple TV interview. That makes me feel great.
Mirror: What did you most enjoy about TV broadcasting?
Clay: I have always loved getting out into communities and being in the middle of what's happening. While interviewing the most powerful political figures in the country and state is often exciting, talking to local people about how they are making a difference in their communities has always been more impactful to me. When I moved here in 1998, I thought I'd be here a couple of years and move on. I didn't have any ties to the area. But I quickly made friends and fell in love with the natural wonders of central Pennsylvania. People have always been very generous and welcoming to me, and I'll never forget that. I realized not far into my time at WTAJ that I'd likely be staying here for the rest of my life. I'm so glad to be able to raise my three boys in this community.
Mirror: WTAJ is often a starting point for reporters who recently graduated from college. What positive habits /skills did you instill?
Clay: Accuracy has to be the first lesson for any journalist, no matter where they work. I always tried to pass down lessons that I learned to journalists who I've worked with here at WTAJ over the years. Seeing young, bright reporters grow into competent writers and storytellers has been so much fun for me. Knowing that I had a hand in challenging them, pushing them and raising the bar on what makes an excellent news story. … I've always shared with people that I want to be able to walk through stores and when I see someone that I interviewed, look them in the eye and be proud of how I told their story. That's one of my biggest lessons: work hard and tell the story right so you can look people in the eye and be proud of what you do.
Mirror: Of those journalists you've coached, who are you most proud of; who has gone on to do great things?
Clay: It's so great to see reporters get what you are trying to teach them. Some of them, you just know that they are going to be successful. But I'm so happy to have learned that they don't have to leave this community to be successful. … It's not about going out and becoming a recognizable name that makes me proud. As I've always said, it's when they step up to the plate and knock a story out of the park.
Mirror: What will you be doing in your new role at the Van Zandt VA Medical Center in Altoona?
Clay: A big part of my job is to help organize and support the 300-plus amazing volunteers at Van Zandt. … These are volunteers that help make sure veterans can get to their medical appointments and help make sure they are supported as they go through their appointments at the VA. The core part of what I will do is to make sure veterans have the support they need, and we are working to improve their quality of life.
I'll also be working to make community partnerships so we can fund projects and programs that don't get federal funding.