Related Stories
Andy Koen
Story By:
Source: KOAA
Andy Koen
News/Education Reporter
Contact
Started at News First: June, 2003
I started here as one of the studio crew members for the morning show, News First Today. I was promoted to produce that show in January, 2004. Then, in November, 2004, I became a photojournalist. I worked as a "one-person-band," both reporting and shooting video, for about six months before getting the promotion to reporter in October 2006.
Hometown: I'm a Pueblo native ... graduated from South High School in 1997.
Previous stations: KOAA is my first station and it's really been a great place to learn and develop my craft. The management and staff here have really brought me a long way from when I first started. I don't think I could have moved up as fast as I did working anywhere else. There's a wealth of experience and knowledge here to draw from and I've done my best to be a sponge and try and soak it all up.
Education: I have my B.F.A. (Bachelors of Fine Arts) from Sam Houston State University, 2002.
Personal Interests: Going to movies, reading, playing guitar, and playing with my dog
Interesting Facts:
In June 2006, I married my high school sweetheart Ellie Willumstad and the two of us then adopted a yellow lab named Sophie from the Humane Society.
Growing up, I was paperboy and also wrote for the school newspaper with fellow News First producer Daneya Esgar.
I was in a "Blues Brothers" cover band in college.
About working at News First:
We deliver unbiased reporting on the stories that affect our viewers the most. This assumes that we'll get it right the first time and won't insert personal opinions into our coverage. Our viewers not only deserve to know what's going on -- but they also deserve a clear message, so they can really understand what's going on.
Favorite Websites:
howstuffworks.com (a lot of pop-up ads, but it really explains scientific stuff in an easy to understand way)
ask.com (like google, but cooler)
nfl.com (gotta check the fantasy football scores!)
yahoo.com (a good site for just about everything)
