Longtime WMUR anchor Tom Griffith has announced he will retire later this spring.
“When I arrived in New Hampshire in 1988, I thought this might just be another stop along the way in a long broadcast career,” said Griffith. “But I fell in love. I fell in love with a state and way of life like no other in America.”
WMUR president and general manager Andrew Vrees said it’s almost unheard of for an anchor to spend this many years in the business at one television station.
“In that time, Tom has succeeded because of his commitment, his professionalism and his overwhelming kindness,” said Vrees.
Before joining the Manchester, N.H. ABC affiliate, Griffith worked as an anchor at WSYX in Columbus, Ohio, and as an anchor and reporter at WKYT in Lexington, Ky., WTOV in Wheeling, W.V. and Steubenville, Ohio.
WMUR credits Griffith with being the first journalist to ask then-Governor Bill Clinton in 1992, whether he had ever had an extra-marital affair.
“Tom has been a mainstay in our newsroom; always calm under pressure and supportive to everyone, especially the many up-and-coming journalists over the years,” said WMUR news director Alisha McDevitt.
“I will celebrate my 65th birthday next week and with nearly 35 years of service here at WMUR—and more than 45 years in the broadcast news business, I have decided its time to start having dinner at home,” Griffith wrote on Facebook. “So, I will be retiring in another month or two and want to let you know, how honored I am that New Hampshire allowed me to serve from the WMUR anchor desk for the last 35 years.”
His last day will be Friday, June 3.