Dan Ball
By: WFFT Local
Updated: March 10, 2013
Dan Ball is an award winning anchor/reporter with nearly 20
years of broadcasting experience. Right after graduating from Archbold
High School in Northwest Ohio, Dan enlisted in the military. He entered the
United States Air Force as a combat journalist, working for the Armed Forces
Radio and Television Service. Growing up in Archbold, Dan spent his
summers in Northeast Indiana in Steuben County, skiing and lounging on Clear
Lake.
Dan's first job in the commercial television industry was as a
photographer/reporter, working for the ABC affiliate in Palm Springs
California. Since then Dan has worked around the country covering every type of
story in the newsroom, while working his way up to main anchor. From
Presidential races and natural disasters to undercover investigations
and even the red carpet at the Oscars and Emmys, Dan has covered it
all.
Dan's career has taken him all across the country, working at the CBS station
in Fresno California, the Fox affiliate in Grand Rapids Michigan, the NBC
station in Las Vegas Nevada and a cable station in Philadelphia.
Dan has won two Emmy awards and has been nominated five separate
times. His first Emmy in 2006 was awarded for his coverage of President
Gerald Ford's funeral. The second award came in 2009, when Dan was named
"Best Anchor" in the Pacific Southwest Region. He was nominated for
Best Anchor three years in a row while working in Las Vegas.
Whether it's investigating a consumer scam, covering breaking news, the
economy or politics, Dan's passion is covering stories that relate to the
community he lives in. "If it's local and it matters to my neighbors ,the
man and woman next door, then it belongs on the nightly news!" Ball said.
In addition to his role as news director and main anchor at WFFT,
Dan promises that the newsroom will make a major effort to cover
stories that effect veterans and active duty military personnel. In the past
Dan has served as a military correspondent, flying with the Air Force
Thunderbirds and deploying with the Marines and Air Force on desert training
missions.
"Thanks to these brave men and women, I have the freedom to report stories
on television every day. We owe it to them to make sure they have a voice"
Ball said.
When he's not in front of the camera or chasing down a lead, Dan enjoys
spending time with his beautiful daughter Avery, riding his motorcycle, boating
and hiking. Dan is also very active in the community, volunteering to host
and take part in numerous charitable organizations. Currently he sits on
the Advisory board for the non-profit group, USVETS.
Dan looks forward to living and working in Fort Wayne because he says,
"It's like coming home, all of my family and some really close friends
still live in Northwest Ohio and Northeast Indiana. Hopefully they'll all be
watching WFFT at 10pm every night now!"
