City of Glendale - News

New Face, Old Friend

Former Channel 12 news anchor and Glendale Fire Department administrator Julie Watters joins Glendale 11

The new voice of Glendale might sound pretty familiar to some—and with good reason.

New executive producer for Glendale 11, Julie Watters has been talking to Glendale, as well as Arizona, residents for years. A graduate from Northern Arizona University, Watters worked for KPNX-TV, Channel 12 (NBC) in Phoenix, for more than 11 years as a reporter and anchor. Covering a variety of news stories from the Oklahoma City bombing to the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, Watters has been recognized with several broadcast journalism awards, including Best of the West accolades and the coveted Emmy.

After nearly 14 years in radio and television, Watters made the leap to marketing and communications in 2002, when she joined Glendale’s Fire Department as the first marketing and communications coordinator. For almost the last four years, she has worked with the department to develop a public information office, conduct media relations training for firefighters in the field and chief officers in administration, organize community programs such as the popular water safety walks and build the fire department’s first ever community services division. She was also promoted to community services administrator for the department—a level on par with an assistant chief.

Broadcast Calling

Now, Watters is coming back to her broadcast roots.

“I’ve been watching the exciting things that have been happening here at this cable television station (Glendale 11),” Watters says. “I see this talented staff that they have hired. The technology that’s been added is really top level, and the new facility is going to be amazing. You can just see that the city leadership believes in the power of this station.

“I believe we have the ability to make this the best city cable station in the Valley, state and maybe even the nation. Glendale 11 is a true communication tool to be utilized by all.”

With a staff that includes acclaimed Valley broadcast veterans like Jon Brictson and video production staff with decades of award-winning broadcast experience, Watters is certainly joining a team that is at the top of its game. She also comes on board as the station is on the brink of moving into its new headquarters—a state-of-the-art media center planned to take up 15,000 square feet of the John Q. Hammons Renaissance Hotel (slated to open in December 2006). The new facility will be smack in the middle of the Valley’s biggest sports and entertainment district and will offer Watters and her fellow teammates front-and-center access to mega events coming to Glendale in the coming years, including the 2008 Super Bowl.

“It’s exciting to know that we’ll be right there, in the thick of it,” Watters says. “We’ll be a valuable information tool for both the citizens and our fellow media.”

A Fond Farewell to Fire

Watters, who grew up in Glendale and graduated from Apollo High School, has energy for her new role in the city that is fueled by her accomplishments in Glendale’s Fire Department. And while she will miss working with what she calls “one of the best fire departments out there,” she says she’s confident that the crew she helped to build will be able to carry on without her.

“Julie demonstrated some exceptional attributes as an individual who came in and rapidly rose through the ranks,” says Glendale Fire Chief Mark Burdick. “I’m very proud of her and what she’s done. She created some great programs here in the fire department, and was a real asset to the community, and I know she’ll continue to be one in her new role.”

Of all her work with the Fire Department—media training, community awareness initiatives and program development—Watters says it is her work with creating the city’s water safety walks that gives her the most pride. Taking place 16 times over four summers, this volunteer effort resulted in the passing out of more than 108,000 fliers to Glendale citizens. And in 2003, the city recorded zero child drownings. “That’s something you can’t hang on a wall,” Watters says. “That’s something that you carry in your heart. We made a difference, and we did it as a team of volunteers.”

Where You’ll See Her Now

As an official spokesperson for the city, Watters will be taking on a hosting role for future special events as Glendale continues to announce exciting projects and partnerships. She’ll also be the face for some of Glendale 11’s most popular programs, including Destination Glendale, Festival Showcase and Glendale 911. CLICK HERE for the Glendale 11 program guide.

“I love being a story teller, and I think there’s a story here to tell,” Watters says.

Glendale will be listening.