Tom Byrne, news director
Tom Byrne has been a fixture covering news in Delaware for more than two decades. He joined Delaware First Media in 2010 as news director for WDDE’s online predecessor, DFM News, overseeing the launch of the news service and guiding its two-year expansion and transition to WDDE News. He leads WDDE’s reporting, editing, and on-air staff and is responsible for daily news operations and coverage decisions.
A Philadelphia native, Tom was the sports director at WNBI-AM/FM in Park Falls, Wis., before moving to Delaware in 1990. For the next 20 years he worked as sports editor and anchor at WILM Newsradio in Wilmington and served as a reporter, producer, sports editor, anchor, and host for WHYY-TV news programs in Delaware.
Tom’s work has been honored by the Delaware Press Association, the Associated Press, the Philadelphia chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the National Federation of Press Women.
When he’s not in the office, Tom can be found reading history or pursuing his love of all things athletic.
Susan Geary, morning host
Public radio veteran Susan Geary is WDDE’s local host of NPR’s “Morning Edition,” a role she had previously at WVTF-FM in Roanoke, Va.
Susan came to WDDE with radio and television experience from around the country. A graduate of Northern Arizona University with a degree in broadcasting, she worked for more than two decades as a news reporter, producer, and anchor at radio stations in Phoenix, Flagstaff, Denver, and Lafayette, La. She managed television network news teams in Denver, covering the Columbine shootings and other stories of national interest.
Susan likes to practice and coach artistic roller skating in her spare time. Look for her circling the rinks in Dover and Newark.
Joseph Leahy, afternoon host
Joseph Leahy brings us home in the afternoon as WDDE’s local “All Things Considered” host. At St. Louis Public Radio, Joseph served as a producer, anchor, and reporter, covering spot news and feature stories.
Joseph is a University of Missouri graduate who spent several years in Boston before returning to his home state. He earned his master’s degree in print and multimedia journalism from Emerson College and served as a communications intern at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government. His writing and photographs were featured in The Boston Globe, and he worked as a newscaster and reporter for WERS-FM.
Joseph likes to cook and, true to his Missouri roots, makes some mean Kansas City barbecue.
James Dawson, reporter
James Dawson covers Delaware politics and government as well as general assignment stories for WDDE. He came to Delaware from his home state of Idaho, where he served as a public affairs reporter and news director for the commercial radio network Inland Northwest Broadcasting. His reporting experience included state and local government, arts and culture, crime, and agriculture.
James contributed features and reports to the Northwest News Network, a collection of public radio stations across the Pacific Northwest, and served as an intern with NPR affiliate Northwest Public Radio in Pullman, Wash. He has a bachelor’s degree in broadcasting and digital media from the University of Idaho.
When James isn’t haunting the corridors of Legislative Hall, you might find him brushing up on his photography skills or shamelessly singing while driving all over Delaware.
Karl Malgiero, digital media producer
Karl Malgiero manages the delivery of content through WDDE’s website and produces multimedia content to accompany the stories at WDDE.org.
Karl has been with DFM News and WDDE from Day One. He participated in the design and development of the original DFM News website, and he has assisted in the production of several special news events, including Delaware Debates 2010 and the DFM News Social Security forum in 2011.
After training at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting in Cherry Hill, N.J., Karl interned with the Comcast SportsNet production team during the 2007-08 Philadelphia Flyers broadcasts. After doing production work on commercials and network television, Karl worked at WHYY-TV as an assistant director of the former “Delaware Tonight” broadcast before joining DFM News for its 2010 launch.
A lifelong Delawarean, Karl takes his taste buds seriously and has strong opinions on where to find the best food and beverages in the First State.
karl.malgiero@delawarefirst.org
Ben Szmidt, producer/reporter
Ben Szmidt, splits his time between the field and the office, generating news stories for WDDE and developing the online multimedia content that accompanies those stories. He is the lead producer of History Matters, our monthly video exploration of the Delaware’s history presented in conjunction with the Delaware Historical Society.
Ben’s career spans the transition from DFM News to WDDE. As a University of Delaware mass communication/journalism student, he became DFM’s first intern. He also interned with the Investigators Unit of NBC10 Philadelphia (WCAU). In 2011 DFM hired Ben as a full-time producer/reporter, and his array of talents contributed to the growth of DFM News and the development of WDDE.
Ben’s multimedia skills comes naturally, as he also is a multi-instrumental musician.
