By Rick Griffin
KNSD-TV/NBC 7 San Diego has announced Sheena Parveen will become the station’s new meteorologist for the weekday morning (4:30 a.m.-7 a.m.) and midday (11 a.m.-noon) newscasts. The station said Parveen will begin Wednesday, Oct. 17, alongside anchors Marianne Kushi and Greg Bledsoe.
Parveen replaces Jodi Kodesh who had been at the station since 2008 as a meteorologist and traffic reporter. She joined KNSD after spending three years in Palm Springs at KPSP-TV. Station officials declined to offer a reason on Kodesh’s departure.
Kodesh told Times of San Diego she was informed her contract would not be renewed on July 2, following her return from vacation. “It was my last day on air,” she said. “It did come as a shock to me. They just decided to go in a different direction. I have nothing but love for them and the opportunities they gave me. I really do believe that everything happens for a reason.
“If I’ve learned anything, it’s that I have an amazing husband and two little boys who love having me home. And, being able to sleep in is incredible. I will always be a meteorologist. I love making videos about the weather and I plan to do even more of that now.” Kodesh is continuing to posts weather forecasts on her Facebook page.
Parveen, a member of the American Meteorological Society and a certified broadcast meteorologist, was previously weekday morning meteorologist since 2016 at WRC-TV NBC4, an NBC-owned station in Washington, D.C. Starting in 2012, she worked as weekday evening meteorologist at another NBC-owned station, WCAU-TV NBC10 in Philadelphia. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in meteorology from Florida State University in 2008, she began her on-air meteorology career at WCTV in Tallahassee, then became the meteorologist at Fox 13 in Tampa before heading to Philadelphia.
In her forecasting career, Parveen has covered hurricanes, tornadoes and blizzards. She was on the air when Hurricane Sandy made landfall at the New Jersey Shore as well as the January 2016 blizzard that demanded round the clock coverage for multiple days.
“While I’ve appreciated the opportunity to forecast all different types of weather events in different parts of our country, I’m excited to finally make my way to beautiful Southern California, an area I have dreamed of moving to,” said Parveen. “I’m thrilled to be working at NBC 7 with such a great morning team and I hope San Diego will wake up with us every morning so I can help people have their best day.”
“Sheena’s education, training, and experience make her a top meteorologist,” said Greg Dawson, VP of news at NBC 7. “Her genuine warmth and sense of humor makes her a terrific on-air personality. We are thrilled to have her join our team and become part of the San Diego community.”
Southwest Strategies Adds Three New Employees
Public affairs firm Southwest Strategies has added three new employees to its San Diego office. They include: Ryan Purdy, manager of public affairs; Courtney Pittam and Natalie Kessler, both account executives.
Purdy was previously director of policy with San Diego City Councilmember Lorie Zapf. With the city, Purdy worked with the San Diego Association of Governments and San Diego Local Agency Formation Commission. He also served as Zapf’s consultant to the Smart Growth and Land Use Committee.
Pittam was previously an intern with the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp. She graduated magna cum laude from Point Loma Nazarene University with a bachelor’s degree in international studies. Kessler was previously an intern with the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce. She recently graduated from San Diego State University with a master’s degree in public administration. Southwest Strategies has nearly 50 employees who work at offices in San Diego, Fresno and Sacramento.
Anaheim City Council Member joins Madaffer Enterprises
San Diego public affairs firm Madaffer Enterprises has announced Kris Murray, a City of Anaheim council member, has joined as a strategic partner.
Murray has more than 25 years of experience, including co-chairing the Southern California Water Coalition Water Energy Task Force and serving two terms as chair of the Orange County Council of Governments.
She was first elected to the Anaheim City Council in November 2010 and reelected in 2014. She is termed out.
In addition to working with the Madaffer firm, Murray also will operate her own firm called KLM Strategies. Murray previously worked with Willdan, a professional consulting and technical services firm, from 2008 to January 2018.
Founded in 2009, Madaffer Enterprises is led by former San Diego City Councilmember Jim Madaffer, who served on the council from 2000 to 2008.
SAFE Hosting Golf Classic at Sycuan Resort
The San Diego Advertising Fund for Emergencies, a volunteer, non-profit organization providing confidential financial assistance to local advertising and marketing professionals and their families facing a life crisis emergency, will host the fourth annual SAFE San Diego Golf Classic, a fundraising golf tournament on Monday, Oct. 15, at Sycuan Golf Resort, 3007 Dehesa Road in El Cajon. Tee time is 8 a.m.
Cost to play is $175 for individuals or $600 for a foursome. The after-golf party will feature giveaways, buffet and raffle prizes. To reserve a playing spot, visit www.safesandiego.org.
SAFE is supported by volunteers in the advertising, communications and marketing industries. Over the years, SAFE grant recipients have needed assistance with such expenses as utilities, food, gasoline and rent due to a variety of emergency situations ranging from life-threatening disease to accident, injury or employment interruption.
Rick Griffin is a San Diego-based public relations and marketing consultant. His MarketInk column appears weekly on Mondays in Times of San Diego.