Tom Erskine is the news operations manager for 49 News.

Born in Racine, Wisconsin, Tom has spent most of his life and TV career in Kansas, where he got his start at PBS station KTWU while attending Washburn University. His career also includes positions at KTSB – now KSNT – where he directed weekend newscasts, shot film and sprayed for bagworms! He eventually became the chief photographer, assignment and production manager for the station.

In 1988, Tom joined KWCH-12 in Wichita and took on the role of production director before becoming assistant promotions manager. While there, he promised he’d only take positions west of the Mississippi, but in 1993 went to work as the creative services manager for NBC affiliate WKTV-2 in Utica, New York. He also helped re-launch the ABC affiliate in Watertown, New York.

Tom has won Addy, Telly and Association of Broadcaster awards as well as numerous honors from the Children’s Miracle Network, Boy Scouts of America, American Red Cross, Hospice, American Diabetes Association and Cancer Association. He is most proud of having helped raise more than $750,000 in one day for the relief efforts associated with 9/11, his work with the Utica Food Bank where there is now a Tom Erskine Humanitarian Award, and the first full-length coverage of two National Curling matches.

Tom and his wife, JoAnne Brand, have two children, Joe and Sarah.