Erica Mokay Biography: CBS Pittsburgh – Career and Personal Life

Erica Mokay Biography: KDKA-TV (Pittsburgh, PA)

Erica Mokay is an American journalist working for CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV) as a news reporter and fill-in anchor. Here’s a brief overview of her life and career:

Early Life and Education

• Birth: Erica was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. She has chosen to keep her exact birthdate private.

• Education: Erica graduated from West Virginia University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Television Journalism.

Career

• Early Career: Erica began her journalism career as an intern at KDKA-TV in June 2011.

• WWMT-TV: She worked for WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan, for nearly 12 years, holding various positions such as Weekend Anchor/Reporter, Morning News Anchor, Investigative Journalism Workshop, Host/Special Assignment Producer, and Evening News Anchor.

• KDKA-TV: Erica joined CBS Pittsburgh in October 2022 as a news reporter and fill-in anchor. She covers weekend evenings and three weekdays, and occasionally subs as a fill-in anchor.

Notable Achievements

• Regional Emmy Nomination: Erica was nominated for a Michigan Emmy Award in 2018 for Best Television Anchor.

• Awards and Honors: She has received various awards, including the Merit Award for News Anchor and Breaking News Award for the South Haven Pier Shooting.

Community Engagement

• Volunteer Work: Erica is an active volunteer in the community, serving as a Hospital Volunteer at Ascension from January 2017 to January 2018, and as the Honorary Red Kettle Campaign Chairperson at The Salvation Army since January 2020.

• Fundraising: She has also been involved in hosting celebrity fundraisers for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Personal Life

• Hometown: Erica was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, and grew up in Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania.

• Hobbies: Erica loves antiquing, salvaging unique treasures, and spending time with family and friends.

Erica Mokay’s dedication to journalism and her passion for informing viewers have made her a respected figure in the field.

Husband:

Erica Mokay is married to Mike, a former booth announcer for WJRT. They have chosen to keep their marriage quite private, and there isn’t much information available about Mike. The couple does not have any children at the moment.

In her leisure time, Erica enjoys hanging out with her husband and their dog, Lila, eating pizza, or chilling at the beach. Erica Mokay stands at a height of 5 feet 5 inches (1.65 meters)

Career and Background:

Erica joined KDKA-TV in October 2021 after establishing a strong foundation in journalism.

Before moving to Pittsburgh, she worked at WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where she honed her skills as a news anchor and reporter.

Her career is marked by a commitment to delivering impactful and informative stories, with experience spanning multiple states and communities.

Early Career

• West Virginia University: Erica graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Journalism and Television Journalism in 2012.

• Internship at KDKA-TV: She began her career with an internship at KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh from June to August 2011.

• WDTV in Clarksburg, West Virginia: Erica interned at WDTV for less than a year in 2010.

WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo, Michigan

• Weekend Anchor/Reporter: Erica started as a Weekend Anchor/Reporter in December 2011.

• Morning News Anchor: She transitioned to the role of Morning News Anchor from August 2012 to March 2013.

• Investigative Journalism Workshop: Erica took on the role of Investigative Journalism Workshop in September 2015.

• Host/Special Assignment Producer: She served as Host/Special Assignment Producer from 2013 to 2016.

• Evening News Anchor: Erica anchored the 5 p.m., 6 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m. shows from March 2013 to December 2016.

• Morning/Noon News Anchor: She held the position of Morning/Noon News Anchor from January 2017 to September 2019, anchoring Monday-Friday from 4:30 a.m. to 7:00 a.m. and 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.

• Evening News Anchor: Erica continued as an Evening News Anchor until October 2022.

CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV)

• News Reporter and Fill-in Anchor: Erica joined CBS Pittsburgh in October 2022 as a news reporter and fill-in anchor. She covers weekend evenings and three weekdays, and occasionally subs as a fill-in anchor.

Notable Achievements

Erica Mokay has covered several notable stories throughout her career, showcasing her dedication to journalism and her ability to report on significant events. Here are some highlights:

• Pfizer’s COVID-19 Vaccine Rollout: Erica reported on the rollout of Pfizer’s COVID-19 vaccine from its West Michigan facility, providing crucial information to the public during the pandemic.

• East Palestine Train Derailment: She covered the catastrophic train derailment in East Palestine, offering timely updates and insights into the incident.

• Michigan State University Shooting: Erica reported on the tragic shooting on the campus of Michigan State University, delivering comprehensive coverage of the event.

• Jamboree in the Hills: She had the opportunity to interview and introduce some of the biggest names in country music at Jamboree in the Hills, a multi-day concert in Ohio.

• South Haven Pier Shooting: Erica and her team at WWMT-TV received a Breaking News Award for their coverage of the South Haven Pier Shooting.

Awards and Honors:

Erica Mokay has received several awards and honors throughout her journalism career, highlighting her dedication and excellence in the field. Here are some notable ones:

• 2018 Michigan Emmy Award Nominee: Erica was nominated for the Best Television Anchor category, recognizing her outstanding work at WWMT-TV.

• Merit Award for News Anchor: She received this award for her exceptional performance as a news anchor.

• Breaking News Award: Erica and the WWMT News Team won 1st place for their coverage of the South Haven Pier Shooting, showcasing their ability to deliver timely and accurate news during critical events.

• Hearst Journalism Award: While still a student at West Virginia University, Erica won 10th place nationwide for radio news reporting, a prestigious award often referred to as the “Pulitzer Prize for college journalism students”.

Erica Mokay has worked with several close colleagues throughout her career in journalism. Here are some of her notable colleagues:

• Mary Ours: Erica met Mary during the KDKA internship process and has maintained a close relationship with her over the years. Mary is a veteran meteorologist at KDKA-TV.

• Rich Pierce: Erica worked with Rich Pierce at WTOV-TV in Steubenville, Ohio. Rich is a reporter at WPXI-TV.

• Sarafina James: Erica also worked with Sarafina James at WTOV-TV. Sarafina is a reporter at WJW-TV in Cleveland.

• Jessica Guay: Erica reunited with Jessica at KDKA-TV after working together at WTOV-TV. Jessica is a reporter at KDKA-TV.

• Ashley Zilka: Erica went to high school with Ashley at Belle Vernon Area High School and interned with her at WPXI-TV. Ashley is a reporter at WTAE-TV in Pittsburgh.

These colleagues have been part of Erica’s journey in journalism, and she has maintained strong professional relationships with them over the years

Net Worth and Salary:

Erica Mokay’s estimated net worth ranges between $500,000 and $1 million. Her salary as a journalist likely falls within the industry standard, ranging from $50,000 to $100,000 annually.

Is Erica Mokay Married?

Yes, Erica Mokay is married to Mike, a former booth announcer for WJRT. They have no children but enjoy spending time with their dog, Lila.

How Old Is Erica Mokay?

Erica Mokay is estimated to be in her early 30s. She was born in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, but the exact date, month, and year of her birth have not been publicly disclosed.

Where Is Erica Mokay Working At?

Erica Mokay is currently working at CBS Pittsburgh (KDKA-TV) as a news reporter and fill-in anchor.

She joined the station in October 2022 and has been covering weekend evenings and three weekdays, occasionally subbing as a fill-in anchor.

Erica Mokay is active on social media. She uses Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter to share updates about her work and personal life.

On Instagram, she often posts photos of her life, including moments with her husband, their dog Lila, and her hobbies like interior design and antique shopping.