Georgia native Chris Holcomb has been named 11 Alive's chief meteorologist, a job he has been seeking for many years.
The NBC affiliate announced his promotion today via Tweet: Help us congratulate Chris Holcomb 11Alive on his new job as chief meteorologist at 11Alive! http://on.11alive.com/U4oIjL
He replaces Mike Francis, who left in January and has since gone into real estate. Before Francis, Paul Ossmann was the long-time chief there and is now at CBS Atlanta as weekend meteorologist.
On Facebook, Holcomb this afternoon posted this:
I am truly humbled and honored! Ever since I met Guy Sharpe in the grocery store when I was a child, interviewed Chuck Moore for a 6th grade career day project and watched Atlanta news growing up, it was my dream to one day be Chief Meteorologist in my hometown. I have never lived nor worked outside of the state of Georgia. I have lived Georgia weather my entire life. Now that I have this amazing opportunity, I promise to be here for you in good weather and in bad. If you by chance watch another station out of habit, I hope this would be an opportunity to break that habit and turn to your hometown meteorologist on 11Alive News. I'll be here with you with Brenda Wood, Demarco Morgan and Jeff Hullinger each night! Thanks for watching!!
Holcomb has been waiting in the wings for many years and there was a lot of internal support after Francis left for the popular Holcomb to get the top spot.
11 Alive reporter Doug Richards (who writes the informative blog "Live Apartment Fire") wrote on Facebook: "I've never heard more raucous applause in a newsroom than when [news director] Ellen Crooke made this announcement this afternoon. Chris Holcomb is very deserving."
According to 11 Alive, Chris was born at Emory hospital, grew up in DeKalb County, and is now raising his family in Gwinnett County. Chris is married to Angie, his wife of twenty three years and has a 19-year-old son and a 15-year-old daughter.
Holcomb has been with 11 Alive since 1991. He is a four-time Southeast Emmy Award winner and two-time Gabby winner.
As the NBC story notes, "It's a well-deserved promotion and a dream come true for a meteorologist who has lived his whole life in Georgia."
This move comes amidst a major reshuffling of meteorologists in Atlanta TV news. Fox 5's Ken Cook last month announced his retirement last month after 35 years and part-time weekend meteorologist Steve Milone recently left as well. David Chandley last week said he is leaving Channel 2 Action News Friday after nearly 26 years in hopes of getting his own chief meteorologist job. Channel 2 last week introduced a new meteorologist Katie Walls and has an opening for a fifth position as well.
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