MEET THE STAFF
Professional Staff
Jim Mead
General Manager of UWW-TV
Years at UWW: 19
Hometown: Burlington, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “No man is a failure who has friends.” Clarence Odbody, It’s a Wonderful Life (1946)
About Jim: Many creative examples I continue to incorporate into class lectures and labs are inspired by my early youth when I used to write short stories and create “television shows” with Fisher Price characters and play sets.
Joe Mabie
Video Production Manager
Years at UWW: 3
Hometown: Stoughton, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Always go to other people’s funerals; otherwise, they won’t come to yours.” -Yogi Berra
About Joe: When not on campus, I’m likely searching out the area’s best cheeseburger, or I’m at a sporting event of any kind. I like to be as active as possible, whether that is golfing (both traditional and disc) in the summertime or curling in the wintertime.
Student Staff
Ciara Featherly
Student Producer of Network Operations
Year: Senior
Major: Electronic Media
Hometown: Pingree Grove, Illinois
Favorite Quote: “Don’t let the darkness fool you. All lights turned off can be turned on.” – Noah Kahan
About Ciara: Hello!! I’ve always wanted to work in the media industry, and UW-Whitewater has given me so many opportunities to do so. One thing to know about me is I love to get involved. One of my favorite professors told me to say yes to every opportunity and here I am. When I’m not in class or working one of my many jobs, I can spend time with friends, watching hockey, or playing township on my phone.
Abbey Hamachek
Student Supervisor of News Programming
Year: Senior
Major: Broadcast/Print/Web Journalism
Minors: Film Studies and Electronic Media
Hometown: Manitowoc, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes I’ll start a sentence and I don’t even know where it’s going. I just hope I find it along the way.” – Michael Scott
About Abbey: Hi! In the future, I would love to go into investigative reporting at a local news station. Barbara Walters is a huge inspiration when it comes to my career. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with friends and family as well as listening to music. Concerts are one of my favorite things. I also absolutely love animals; I have two dogs and a hamster.
Rori Nikole
Student Supervisor of Media Communications
Year: Junior
Major: Graphic Design
Minor: Electronic Media
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “It is just as important to live in the present as it is to understand the past.”
About Rori: After taking two years off school, I pursued a bachelor’s degree in arts and film at UW-Whitewater. My drive and passion have allowed me to excel in both my career at UWW-TV and my studies as an undergraduate. My goal for the 2024-25 school year is to gain more field experience through hard work and dedication all while fulfilling my current responsibilities.
Gabe Sadoski
Student Supervisor of Sports Programming
Year: Sophomore
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Randolph, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain
About Gabe: I am majoring in Journalism (BPW) with a minor in Electronic Media while pursuing a Sports Communication Certificate. I will be a part of the broadcast team for football this season as well. I hope to one day work in sports media covering basketball and/or football. In my free time, I love to listen to music, play video games, visit record stores, bake, and spend time with friends/family.
Ramsey Richards
Student Supervisor of Equipment Operations
Year: Senior
Major: Electronic Media
Minor: Film
Hometown: Madison, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “I haven’t slept for ten days because that would be too long.” – Mitch Hedberg
About Ramsey: Hi, my name is Ramsey. When I’m not working, I usually play video games, watch hockey, or spend money on energy drinks.
Chris Aguilar
Student Producer of Sports Programming
Year: Senior
Major: Electronic Media
Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Success is not final; failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that count.” – Winston Churchill
About Chris: I worked on Hawk Talk as producer/director for the 2023-24 school year as well as live sporting events covered on UWW-TV. I will co-produce The List this semester. My goal after college is to get a job behind the cameras and cover the biggest sporting events, which is something I’ve always dreamed of.
Eydie Furnett
Student Producer of News Programming
Year: Sophomore
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Kenosha, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “I don’t wanna read a story. I wanna watch a story.” – Meadwad
About Eydie: Hello! I am a journalism major who previously co-anchored Whitewater Wind Down. This upcoming semester, I plan to anchor for Wake-Up Whitewater, while writing scripts and assisting in event and sports coverage. I also work as a Video Production Assistant for the University Center! I enjoy petting dogs, playing with slime, and drawing in my spare time.
Josh Jacobi
Student Producer of Sports Programming
Year: Junior
Major: Electronic Media
Minor: Journalism
Hometown: Oak Creek, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “The only place success comes before work is in the dictionary.” – Vince Lombardi
About Josh: Hi, I’m Josh. Video production has been my life. I love making videos so much that I’m majoring in it! Once I graduate from college, I plan to work either out of a production truck at sporting events or end up on a movie set somewhere. In my free time, I enjoy watching movies and sports, going on drives, listening to music, hanging out with friends, and playing with my dogs back home.
Alex Lazzerini
Student Producer of Sports Programming
Year: Senior
Major: Journalism
Hometown: Rockford, Illinois
Favorite Quote: “I think there might be no rules. I’m awake now.” – Tim Robinson
About Alex: I am a 23-year-old from Rockford, Illinois. My interests include film, sports, and spending time with my friends.
Lewis Lea
Student Producer of Entertainment Programming
Year: Sophomore
Major: Film Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Trust is built through actions, not words.” – Chris Redfield
About Lewis: Lewis is a new member of the UWW TV crew. He is excited to not only learn how to produce and learn how to work with cameras and set up, but also to work with the staff. He hopes to use what he learns from UWW TV to help with his future career goal of working in film.
Alex Manthei
Student Producer of Sports Programming
Year: Senior
Major: Broadcast/Print/Web Journalism
Hometown: West Bend, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “I am always doing what I cannot do, so that I may learn how to do it.” – Pablo Picasso
About Alex: My number one focus in life is music. I love listening to many different genres but especially heavy metal. If I’m not listening to music, I am probably playing music. For the past few years, I have tried to learn a new instrument each summer and, thus far, I’ve done guitar, bass, keyboard, and harmonica. In the grand scheme, I hope to do something I can be remembered for.
Betsabe Ramos
Student Producer of News Programming
Year: Sophomore
Major: Broadcast; Print; Web Journalism
Hometown: Oregon, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Life is God’s novel. Let him write it.”— Isaac Bashevis Singer
About Betsabe: Hi! Alongside journalism, I enjoy content creation and anything musical! In the future, I hope to work in the entertainment industry, specifically at Variety magazine. In my free time, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, dancing/singing, and binging TV shows/movies. Currently, I’m watching New Girl and Community!
Hunter Sandee
Student Video Production Specialist
Year: Senior
Major: Electronic Media
Hometown: Sheboygan, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Once you do the hard stuff, it becomes not that hard.”
About Hunter: Hi! My name is Hunter, and my career goal is to become a film editor or sound engineer. In my free time, I like to bake, garden, listen to music, and play PC games. I also like One Piece, Lord of the Rings, Porter Robinson, and my awesome cat Melmen!
John Venable
Student Producer of Entertainment Programming
Year: Sophomore
Major: Film Studies
Hometown: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: “Building the future and keeping the past alive are one and the same thing.” – Solid Snake (Metal Gear Solid)
About John: I am a new member of the UWW-TV team. I love expanding my horizons and learning new things! I hope to produce stories that inspire.
Carter Waelchli
Student Producer of News/Entertainment Programming
Year: Senior
Major: Electronic Media
Hometown: Whitewater, Wisconsin
Favorite Quote: excited to be a part of UWW-TV and looking forward to producing great programs with the staff!
About Carter: I am excited to be a part of UWW-TV and looking forward to producing great programs with the staff!
Peyton Walz
Student Producer: News Programming