Heather Van Nest

Heather Van Nest is co-anchor of the weeknight 6 PM and 11 PM newscasts. She joined the 10 Connects news team in October of 2002 as a morning & noon co-anchor.

Heather prides herself on making a difference in the community. She's written stories that have created new laws, solved problems and even changed lives.

She has received several honors since her arrival at WTSP including an Edward R. Murrow Award for "Risky Rays: Don't Get Burned," a news documentary on skin cancer. The American Academy of Dermatology also recognized her efforts on preventing and detecting skin cancer with a national Gold Triangle Award. The Hillsborough County School District is using "Risky Rays" as a teaching tool to warn students about the harmful rays of the sun.

Before joining WTSP, Heather worked as an anchor & consumer investigator at WJXT in Jacksonville, Florida. During her tenure at WJXT, more than a dozen state and local agencies honored her as Northeast Florida's "Consumer Advocate of the Year."

She's received numerous industry awards including investigative and individual achievement awards from the Associated Press, Society of Professional Journalists, Emmy nomination and an Edward R. Murrow Award for team news coverage.

One of her proudest professional moments happened after a series of her investigative reports exposed late model salvaged cars that were being rebuilt and sold to unsuspecting buyers. As a result, in May of 2002, Governor Jeb Bush signed legislation that closed a dangerous loophole in Florida's salvage law.

Heather was born in Orange County, California and also grew up in Minnesota. She graduated from the University of Wisconsin Madison and studied at the Spanish American Institute in Seville, Spain.

Outside of work, Heather advocates the health benefits of eating a fresh, unprocessed, organic diet.

This will be the 5th year she's walked 60 miles for the Breast Cancer 3 Day.

Heather's also an avid lover of all animals, big and small.

Skip Mahaffey

Skip is a well respected and awarded on air radio personality. But it's his passion to give back to the community and charities that make him a truly special celebrity. Here is a sample of commitment:

• “Skip’s Kids” - A group that provides VIP trips for underprivileged children of Tampa Bay to places like Sea World, Disney World, Adventure Island, Busch Gardens and more.

• FBI – Graduate of the FBI Citizen’s Academy. Winner of the prestigious Director’s Community Leadership Award.

• St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital - Helped raise over $1,000,000 in four years. Served as organizer and host of the Second Chance Prom, a one evening event that raised over $12,500. Pennies For St. Jude- As part of the Radio-thon, collected 1.4 million pennies in 8 days.

• The Angelus- 1999-2003. As emcee of the annual Charlie Daniels concert, raised over $1,000,000 for a local home for severely handicapped children and adults.

• “Postcards From Home” – In the past 9 years, sent over 275,000 holiday postcards from listeners to troops overseas

• Shriner’s Hospital - Through various station and hospital events raised over $25,000 for the local Shriner’s Hospital.

• Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office - (Honorary Deputy). A weekly on-air segment devoted to crime prevention and other law enforcement issues. Emcee for annual event with over 20,000 bicycle helmets given to Bay area children. Host HCSO Memorial Services 2002-2008. Host/emcee for HCSO promotional ceremonies, 2003-2009.

• Police Unity Tour – Participated in a 3-day cycling event to raise money for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington D.C. 2004-2009.

•Pasco County Sheriff’s Office – (Honorary Deputy) Emcee Sheriff’s Sporting Clay event to benefit Sheriff’s youth Ranch 2002-2004

•Pinellas County S.P.C.A. - Weekly on air feature devoted to adoption of pets and pet issues.

• Adventures for Wish Kids – Helped raise over $750,000 in one year to provide family activities to children with life threatening illness’ in three states.

• Honors and Other Notables – Emceed the Change of Command ceremony at US Central Command for Gen. Tommy Franks; Emcee for “Freedom Concert” for US Central Command broadcast to US Military installations over the world; Honorary Deputy Hillsborough and Pasco Counties; Honorary Sargeant, United States Army Recruiting Battalion, Tampa.

• Other Agencies and Charities Include: Pasco County Chamber of Commerce, Metropolitan Ministries, Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts of America, Easter Seals, American Cancer Society, Alpha House, Habitat for Humanity, Pinellas and Hillsborough Country Public Schools, The Florida Aquarium, FFA Tampa Bay.