Lety Bazurto-Mathews, Photographer-Editor

Lety works on Conexion 12, where she’s brushing up on her Spanish, Rec 365 getting her sports fix, and Sonoran Style capturing the beauty of the region. When she's not at work she enjoys horseback riding and playing sports with her husband. And to think…Lety started at Channel 12 as a U of A intern in 1993!

Jeanie Bergen, Writer-Producer

Jeanie hopes to one day win the lottery. Until then, she writes and produces D-town and The Loop. She enjoys exploring downtown Tucson with co-host Corey Dane, who is coincidentally a Midwest transplant as well. The Loop is where the "real" Jeanie emerges. Her comedic talent, if you will, is showcased amongst important City information. She enjoys spending time with her "witty" and "incredibly handsome" husband. Jeanie is an alumnus of the University of Arizona, where she graduated with a double major in Journalism and Theatre Arts in 2007.

Martha Cantrell, Photographer-Editor

Martha Cantrell is one of the funniest people you will ever come across (insert blowing of own horn here). She is 5’4’’, and no, she will not say how much she weighs. She is a Taurus, who likes long walks, Arizona sunsets, and great Mexican food. Oh wait, it’s not that kind of ad. Martha has been a photographer/editor with Tucson 12 since 2004. She works on shows like REC 365, Sonoran Style, and Tucson NOW. She has met some great people along the way and some, she’s still questioning. She loves telling your stories, Tucson.

Gene Einfrank, Writer-Producer

If you know Gene, you know he loves to cook. But when he’s not behind the stove, you’ll find him behind his computer - working on stories for Tucson Now, My City and numerous special projects. Gene says working for Tucson 12 is one of the most rewarding television jobs Tucson has to offer. It not only gives him access to everything that’s happening throughout the community, it’s also a front row seat to an inside look at local government. With over 30 years in the ‘biz’, Gene’s worked in nearly every aspect of television production. As a Tucson native Gene’s excited to have the opportunity to put his experience to work in the town he knows and loves.

Gary Keckonen, Video Engineering Tech

Gary keeps us on the air …and looking good! He’s the “McGyver” of Tucson 12. You would not believe what he can do with smoke, mirrors, bubble-gum…and gaffing tape. Besides trouble shooting and fixing stuff…he backs up the master control operator…and serves as technical director for Mayor and Council meetings. Oh, he also builds our studio sets! Gary is a proud grandpa but his eldest daughter and grandkids live out of state. His wife and teenaged daughter are patiently waiting for him to fix things around the house.

Dulce Mascareno, Writer-Producer

Dulce has been working in the TV ‘biz’ since she was 17 years old. Born in Los Mochis, Sinaloa, México, she graduated from Escuela de Comunicación Social in Culiacán, Sinaloa with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. She worked at Telemundo and the Mexican Consulate before she moved to Tucson 12 to produce and host the channel’s only Spanish language program Conexión 12. Dulce has won two Emmy awards and she received the Award Sinaloenses Ejemplares by the State Goverment of Sinaloa, Mexico. Dulce and husband, Alberto Araujo, enjoy visiting her family in México. But its Tucson she loves… because of the warm weather, warm people, the Hispanic community, and the Mexican culture. She doesn’t miss Mexican food…or Mariachi music. She say’s she’s had to listen to more Mariachi music in Tucson than in her whole life in México.

Jennifer McKinney, Television Production Manager

Jennifer started her video production adventure over 35 years ago as a studio camera operator… and then news producer for seven years at Tucson’s CBS affiliate KOLD-13. She switched to public service in 1984 when she was hired to create Tucson 12, the City Channel. She has built two production facilities, and lived through too many budget cycles to remember. Credited with hiring an extremely talented staff…Channel 12 is a ten-time winner of the NATOA “Excellence in Government Programming” award and winner of 12 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards. Jennifer has a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications from Southwest Missouri State University and a C.P.M. certification from Arizona State University. In her spare time she is an avid reader and enjoys outdoor activities with her husband.

Mitch Riley, Photographer-Editor

Mitch has been working in the film and television industry for over twenty years, joining Tucson 12's creative team in 2005. After 15 years in New York City, he and his wife decided to move back West, closer to family and their roots. Mitch loves to produce intimate stories about people and their lives, believing that stories about people are what connect us to our audience and each other. His favorite people profiles include the widowed gallery owner Olivia, the leathered cowboy blacksmith Don, the starry-eyed young Quince Elianna, the mysterious and controversial painter Daniel, the idealistic young cattle ranchers Sara and Paul, and the passionate print photojournalist James Gregg. These people and their stories epitomize the privilege that he enjoys and the potential that he sees around us. "We're so fortunate to work in this industry where we're able to meet new and interesting people everyday and learn new ways of looking at our world." Mitch has been recognized for his work at Tucson 12 with 16 nominations and 12 Emmy awards from the Rocky Mountain Southwest Chapter of NATAS. He earned a BA in Communication at the University of Colorado and an MFA in Film from New York University.

Cindy Samaniego, Master Control Operator

Cindy and her husband have a 8-year old son and a 16-year old daughter. When she’s not mediating the home front…she’s programming Channel 12. Don’t even think about going long on your show! She has a head for numbers and can multi-task like nobody’s business. Cindy takes care of the on-air “Community Calendar” graphics and she has the pleasure of spending every Tuesday with Mayor and Council running the crew…and the audio board. Cindy started as a secretary but soon moved to production assistant and then master control operator.

Dan Sheffer, Chief Photographer-Editor

An official “almost native” of Tucson relocating to the desert at age 5, Dan graduated from Sahuaro High School and attended the University of Arizona before finding his true passion while studying independent film production in Southern California. He returned to the desert by way of Flagstaff, AZ as a news photographer/editor at KNAZ and then KVOA-TV in Tucson. A proud part of the Channel 12 creative team since 1984, Dan still most enjoys a day in the field with his camera, telling downtown’s unique stories on D-town, and southern Arizona’s stories on Sonoran Style. His passion for popular music has found a creative outlet in both the Studio C series and D-town’s “Front Row Seat” segments. Dan has received 2 Rocky Mountain Emmy Awards as well as recent recognition from the National Press Photographers Association. His wife Anne is an award winning interior designer, newlywed daughter Carrie currently resides in Italy and son Todd is a recent graduate of the U of A.

TUCSON 12 SHOW HOSTS

Jed Dodds, Host - Zoo News

Jed Dodds is a born and raised Tucsonan, a native to this great desert. He can remember growing up at the Reid Park Zoo, dreaming of someday getting to work with exotic animals. Jed has a degree in Veterinary Science from the University of Arizona. He started his animal career when he was 14 years old at a Veterinary Clinic here in town and then five years ago he joined the great team at the Reid Park Zoo. Not shy about too many things, getting in front of the camera as the host of “Zoo News” seems almost too natural for this passionate animal enthusiast. Jed says, “People often ask me what my favorite animal is and my response of the Great White Shark usually is not what people are expecting.” He’s been to the Farallon Islands off the coast of San Francisco and just recently to South Africa to swim with these amazing animals. Along with traveling, Jed enjoys rock climbing, hiking, lifting, dancing, skiing and loves hanging out with his friends and family.

Corey Dane, Host - D-town and Tucson NOW

Corey hails from Chicago, but moved to Tucson 3 years ago because his fans in the windy city were getting a bit out of control. Now a desert dweller, Corey works at Banana Republic, appears on TV as the spokesman for ztucson.com, and gets together every now again with Jeanie to tell Tucsonans what's up downtown on D-Town. He received his BFA from the Professional Acting Studio at the University of Illinois Urbana, Champaign and is certified in small sword, rapier, dagger, and hand to hand combat. In his free time (what's that!?!) Corey enjoys cooking, spending time with friends, and he is currently training for his second Half Marathon right here in Tucson!

Jennie Grabel, Host - Studio C

Jennie is an Arizona native raised in Bisbee. She earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Humanites, English Literature, and Classics at the University of Arizona. She was drawn by fate to the Community Radio Station 91.3FM KXCI where she began her radio gig. She’s been at 92.9 The Mountain since 2004. Jennie still pinches herself to make sure it is true. Being a part of The Mountain has provided her with opportunity that she would never have even dreamed of. An interview with Sarah McLachlan, Studio C with The Indigo Girls, Ozomatli, Ani DiFranco, and the opportunity to provide Tucson with a positive, informative morning drive program that highlights the beauty within our community. She loves music first and foremost, but also enjoys yoga, boxing, running and spending time with friends and family.