TORONTO – Rogers’ second longest-serving employee ever is calling it a career after 50 years of reporting on Toronto’s traffic.
Russ Holden (pictured) joined the company in 1967 in the operations department at radio station 98.1 CHFI, followed by years in commercial and program production. He then took to the sky as an airborne traffic reporter, spending decades informing Toronto and cottage country radio audiences of the latest traffic news. Holden later moved to 680 NEWS as a traffic reporter when the all-news radio station hit the airwaves in 1993, and most recently has appeared on Breakfast Television Toronto.
During his time at 680 NEWS, Holden was an integral member of the on-air team, winning awards including Canadian RTDNA and Edward R. Murrow Awards. He also contributed to award-winning coverage, including his traffic reports during the SARSStock Relief Concert in 2003, G20 protests in 2010, and a breakdown of the city’s subway system during the morning drive in June 2015.
A supportive mentor to his colleagues, Holden has also spent years teaching broadcast at Ryerson University, Centennial College and Seneca College.
“Russ is deeply entrenched in the Toronto community and has been part of listeners’ and viewers’ morning routine for decades. He is truly passionate and dedicated to his craft, and is an exemplary member of our Rogers family,” said Rogers Media president Rick Brace, in the news release. “The late Ted Rogers named Russ ‘a true pioneer’, and I couldn't agree more.”
“For the past 50 years, I’ve been truly fortunate to turn my passion for flying and reporting into a career,” added Holden.
