In 9th grade, Brad was able to spend a day with Hyde through Dunbar Junior High School’s career program.

"That was awesome," Brad said. "Sonny showed me around his office, we looked at a lot of his photographs, and I even got a quick camera lesson." Little did Brad know then that he would be doing something very similar as an adult.

The career day experience and influence of Wonderful West Virginia inspired Brad to become a still photographer, and he graduated from West Virginia State University with a degree in communications, concentrating on television production.

"Videography was the profession that opened up to me," Brad said. "I started at a PR firm in Charleston, moved to West Virginia Public Television, and finally to WCHS/WVAH in December of 1993 as a news photographer."

Brad has been producing "Traveling West Virginia" for a decade, and has been asked many times to name his favorite places in West Virginia. "My answer has always been, ‘I don’t know’ because there are so many wonderful places to see and things to do," he said. "It’s impossible for me to choose a favorite, or even a top three."

For his 90-second weekly travel feature, he’s finding new favorites every week.

Though he may not be able to name a favorite West Virginia location after ten years, Brad immediately notes the best part of his job. "The people I meet on a weekly basis are the best," he said. "West Virginians are a breed apart. The people I have had the honor of featuring are truly special folks. So many are wise, genuine and content. It’s amazing how many of them were raised in West Virginia, left for a time, and have returned."

While Traveling West Virginia celebrates ten years, another WCHS/WVAH feature produced with Brad behind the camera is celebrating five years of airing. In 2003, the station teamed up with the Department of Natural Resources to create "West Virginia Wildlife," a weekly feature where anchor/reporter Patrick McMurtry and Brad highlight DNR’s activities throughout the Mountain State.

"We tag along with deer, bear, bat, fish and even insect biologists as they manage West Virginia’s wildlife populations," Brad explained. "The opportunity we’ve been given to document and experience our native wildlife in such an intimate manner is something Patrick and I never get tired of doing."

"Long days, tired muscles, and temperature extremes are the norm, but we’re both outdoor nuts, and we love it!"

Brad and his wife, Patricia, live in Scott Depot with their daughter Emily, and two dogs, CoCo and Ruby. "When I’m not keeping the road hot driving all over West Virginia for work," Brad said. "I spend most of my time at home with my girls, my favorite people in the world."

"God blessed me with fantastic friends and family, an amazing career, all in the state I love."

Readers can watch "Traveling West Virginia" on WCHS channel 8 and WVAH FOX 11 Thursdays at 6 and 10 p.m. and "West Virginia Wildlife" every Wednesday at 6 p.m. and 10 p.m. The video clips are also available online at www.wchstv.com.

Brad is always looking for new stories, interesting places, or unique individuals to feature on "Traveling West Virginia," and welcomes suggestions and input for the show. He can be contacted in the news room at 304-354-4115, on his mobile phone at 304-539-3873 or by email to brice@wchstv.com.