WYLN-35 names Mahanoy Area alum Gary Perna news director
HAZLETON, LUZERNE COUNTY – The management of WYLN35-TV based in Hazleton, PA is pleased to announce Gary Perna has been named the station’s News Director, effective January 23, 2017.
Perna began working with WYLN35-TV October of 2012 as the night news reporter. During his tenure at the local news station, Perna became the producer of WYLN’s Late Edition News at 10PM and played a role in creating the station’s Evening Edition News at 5:30PM. Perna has also been the host and producer of “Topic A,” the station’s community-based talk show. Just recently, he co-created a new business show broadcasting on WYLN35 called “Getting Down to Business.” Perna has also moderated political debates and covered election night live on WYLN35, in addition to helping host the annual American Cancer Society Telethon broadcasted live on WYLN35. Finally, he has served a period of time in the station’s sales department, further building his relationships with numerous business owners and civic organizations in the community.
Perna is a 2010 graduate of Mahanoy Area High School and a 2012 graduate of Luzerne County Community College. In addition to his efforts over the years reporting on activity in our community for WYLN35, Perna is dedicated to supporting the community. He serves as Secretary of the Six County Firemen’s Association of PA, where he was president from 2013-2015. For the past 11 years, he’s been an active member of the McAdoo Fire Company and he has also been active over the years in the New England Fire Company, Tamaqua, Schuylkill Historical Fire Society and as a forest fire warden with DCNR Weiser State Forest District 18.
Perna has been recognized for his work in the community by State Senator David Argall with the 2010 Good Citizen of the Year Award; The William “Bill” Riccio Community Service Award presented by the McAdoo Fire Department and McAdoo Fire Company Ambulance Association; and recently by the McAdoo Fire Company with the Chief Bob Leshko Memorial Award for showing outstanding service and dedication to the fire company.
Perna is a member of the First Presbyterian Church, Mahanoy City where he serves on the board of session and as the Chair of the Board of Deacons.
Perna and his wife Whitney have four dogs that they love more than anything in the world.
“I think my experience in both the news and sales field will lend well to this position. I’m excited to work with the best news and sales team in the area, and want to continue to serve OUR community.” Gary Perna said.
WYLN35 owner, Pat Gans stated, “We are pleased to see Gary take on more and more responsibility over the years. We are impressed by his dedication to the community, the station and by his sincere passion for news. We are confident he will continue our important mission of sharing news with the community through the power of local television.”
WYLN35 is the only broadcast television station based in Hazleton, PA. The station is available on cable and broadcast, reaching approximately 1 million households in northeastern Pennsylvania. To learn more about the station, go to www.wylntv.com
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