Cathy Lewis
Cathy Lewis knows Hampton Roads.  As one of the region’s most veteran broadcasters, Cathy also has the distinction of directing a major regional leadership organization, which gives her a unique opportunity to engage the people of Hampton Roads in the issues we face.

Cathy is the founding host of “HearSay with Cathy Lewis” on 89.5 WHRV-FM.  Launched in 1996, the program quickly became a “must” for those with a message for Hampton Roads.  President Barack Obama appeared on the broadcast during the presidential campaign.  Six Virginia governors along with members of the Hampton Roads congressional delegation have appeared regularly.

Cathy is best known, though, for her ability to connect with listeners.  She was named one of the “50 Very Important People in Hampton Roads” by Hampton Roads Magazine and is a frequent favorite in reader polls. In 2008, Cathy developed the concept for What Matters.  The program quickly found a following in the Friday night public affairs line-up on WHRO-DT 15.1.  She serves as host and Executive Producer of both broadcasts. 

Since 2001, Cathy has also served as Executive Director of the CIVIC Leadership Institute, developing the program from its early days into a robust, significant organization that brings together high-level leaders from the public and private sectors in service to Hampton Roads.

In 2009, Cathy received an honorary doctorate from Virginia Wesleyan College and was inducted into the Junior Achievement Business Hall of Fame.  She was also named a Woman of Distinction by the YWCA in 2002 and was an inaugural recipient of the Women in Business Achievement Award from Inside Business in 2003.  She spent eight years on The Williams School Board of Trustees, serving two terms as President. 

A popular keynote speaker and facilitator, Cathy is a professional member of the National Speakers Association®.  In addition to speaking on topics from leadership and media to youth sports, Cathy’s humor essays on life as a clergy spouse have appeared nationally on The Hallmark Channel.  She is married to The Rev. Canon Win Lewis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.  Their daughter is a distinguished scholar athlete who enters the University of Virginia in the fall of 2009. 

Cathy is a cum laude graduate of the W. Page Pitt School of Journalism at Marshall University. Cathy can be contacted at hearsay@whrv.org
 

Tayla Burney producer of HearSay, joined the staff in February of 2007. She was born and raised in the city of Brockton, Massachusetts and attended Suffolk University in Boston. While at Suffolk she was a member of the Archer Fellows program there and spent a semester in London before receiving her BA in English. Tayla is happy to be back on the East Coast after living in San Diego and working in nearby Coronado. A strong interest in current affairs and the arts drew Tayla to WHRV and HearSay. She lives with her husband and their adopted shelter dog in Norfolk and is a devoted Red Sox fan. Contact Tayla at: tayla.burney@whrv.org

Danny Epperson is a producer with HearSay and joined the team in January 2009.  Danny is a Hampton Roads native and a graduate of Christopher Newport University.  Born and raised in Suffolk, Danny first gained his broadcast experience through an internship at WTKR-TV in Norfolk, where he landed his first job as a news producer.  Before joining WHRO and WHRV, he produced news programs and specials for WAVY-TV in Portsmouth for 10 years.  Danny also produces WHRO’s What Matters, hosted by Cathy Lewis.  He’s a two-time Emmy Award-winning producer who loves the area and he’s pleased to call it home. Contact Danny at: danny.epperson@whrv.org

Perry Smith serves as the audio engineer for HearSay. He joined the WHRO team in early 2004 after graduating from Old Dominion University with a degree in Engineering. While he currently has no pets, Cathy is encouraging him to adopt a ferret.
Perry can be contacted at: Perry.Smith@whro.org