Tom Llamas Leaves WNBC for ABC News

By Chris Ariens 

TomLlamasTom Llamas, a reporter and anchor at WNBC, who also reported for NBC News, has left the peacock and is joining ABC News.

Llamas had a fast rise through NBC, starting as an associate producer at MSNBC, working as a campaign embed during the 2004 elections, joining NBC’s WTVJ in Miami in 2005 as a reporter, then returning to New York and WNBC in 2008 as a reporter, later anchoring the Noon and 5pm newscasts.

Llamas, who entertained offers from at least two other networks, we hear, will be a New York-based ABC News correspondent and anchor. He’ll join in mid-September.

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More: The note from ABC News president James Goldston after the jump…

Team –

I’m pleased to share that Tom Llamas will be joining ABC News in mid-September as a New York-based correspondent and anchor.

An accomplished journalist with wide-ranging experience, Tom joins us from NBC 4 New York where he was co-anchor of the 5 p.m. newscast as well as a contributing correspondent for NBC News. Tom is well-known for his intrepid investigative reports and innate ability to forge strong connections with his audience.

Throughout his career, he has covered many significant news stories, including Hurricane Katrina, the earthquake in Haiti, the Boston Marathon Bombings and Superstorm Sandy. His reporting has been recognized with several prestigious awards, including an Emmy for “Best Anchor” and a Murrow for his contributions to WNBC’s breaking news coverage of Superstorm Sandy.

Prior to joining NBC 4 New York, Tom was based in Miami covering breaking news for NBC’s WTVJ/NBC6. Most notably, Tom embedded himself with the Coast Guard in 2008 for an Emmy-award winning report on human smuggling. He also is experienced in the field—traveling across the country to cover the 2004 Presidential campaign for MSNBC, writing and shooting daily live segments. Born and raised in Miami, he graduated from Loyola University in New Orleans with a B.A in broadcast journalism. When he isn’t spending time with his wife and 17-month-old daughter, Tom loves fishing and being out on the water.

Tom is incredibly proud of his Cuban-American roots and the sacrifices his parents and grandparents made to come to the U.S. He comes to us with a unique and valuable perspective on a host of hot button national issues.

A passionate and dynamic storyteller, I’m excited for Tom’s ideas and input and I’m confident that he will be an outstanding addition to our talented team of journalists.

Please join me in welcoming Tom to ABC News.

James

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