Getting to know ABC Action News journalist Ashley Glass with this week's "10 questions for?"

This week we are thrilled to hear from a familiar face here at ABC Action News. As we learned this week, Ashley Glass is not just a talented journalist but she can tear up a dance floor too!

Ashley took part in noted philanthropist Julie Weintraub's annual Hands Across the Bay dancing event. The non profit supports programs to help better our community. She trained for weeks and it paid off! Ashley came in second in the competition and helped raise money for a good cause.
 
I've known Ashley for more than two years now. She joined ABC Action News in March of 2010. She started as a reporter and now anchors the weekend morning newscasts.

Prior to that she worked in West Palm Beach and Gainesville  FL, as well as Springfield, IL.

She is thrilled to be in Tampa.  She said she is the proud daughter of a Navy pilot. As a child she moved around a lot but spent the majority of her youth growing up in Orange Park.  

It's no surprise to learn that one of her favorite stories of all time was flying at near supersonic speeds with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels.

She's covered a wide range of stories and told me that the tornados in the Midwest and hurricanes in Florida have made her an experienced weather reporter as well.

Right now, we are in the midst of a very close presidential election. Ashley remembers covering then Senator Barack Obama announced his presidential candidacy in  Springfield, IL in 2007.

She's also made appearances on national news shows including, CNN with Nancy Grace and FOX News with Shepard Smith with her coverage of Dalia Dippolito, a newlywed convicted of a murder-for-hire plot against her husband in 2009.

Among the many stories she has followed at ABC Action News, she's covered the Gulf oil spill and recovery in the Florida and the final launch of Shuttle Discovery in Cape Canaveral.

I couldn't help but chuckle when I read Ashley's answer to number 6, the question is "what is your greatest success" - and Ashley said it's yet to come. Oh to be young! I see Ashley as a remarkable young woman who flourishes in her job and constantly tries to do better. She is a go-getter and it is thrilling to see such passion.

I also smiled when I saw her comfort food is pistachios. Mine too!

Here we go...



1. What is your all time favorite movie or song?

Gone with the Wind. Hands down.

2. Do you have a Smartphone? If so, what's your favorite app?

I do, and I'm on the Instagram bandwagon. I can't help myself from playing with all of the filters immediately after snapping a picture.

3. Who do you count as your mentor(s)?

My mother, as she teaches me daily about how to be a strong woman of faith.  Also, the General Manager at WKMG-TV in Orlando, Skip Valet, has guided my career since I was 15-years-old. He gave me my first internship at a "real" news station and has taught me how to be an interesting, credible journalist ever since.

4. What was your very first job?

I was a lifeguard for many summers at the neighborhood pool where I grew up.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I'd stick to my decisions and never look back. I change my mind about many things, many times a day. It's exhausting!

6. What do you consider your greatest success?

It's yet to come. I just know it.
               
7. Tell us something about you most people don't know?

I once flew with the Blue Angels. I (voluntarily) ran a 13-mile course full of obstacles and live wires. I'm more nervous to speak in front of a large crowd than jump out of an airplane. Pistachios are my comfort food. I often dance down grocery store aisles. I decorate for Christmas the day after Halloween. I overshare random facts about myself.  

8. If you could have dinner with any three people, living or dead, who would they be?

Mary Todd Lincoln, Maya Angelou, my Grandpa Leo.

9. What is in your fridge right now?

Lots of leftovers from several different restaurants, cookie dough and a half gallon of milk. It's bleak.

10. If you could have a different career, other than what you're doing now, what would it be?

I'd be an agent of some sort, possibly a sports or news talent agent. Negotiations (big and small) fascinate me, and I find myself constantly cutting deals.

If you would like to suggest someone for 10 questions you can e-mail me at sfazan@abcactionnews.com. or "like" me on Facebook. To do that just head to abcactionnews.com/facebook ... and find me under the favorites tab and click the "like" button.

I look forward to hearing from you!