'The Leckenator' at Large
From his can’t-stand-still intensity to his knack for creating engaging live morning show segments, Emmy nominated television personality Ryan Leckey has a reputation for doing untraditional TV. Ryan, who Pennsylvania viewers often call ‘The Leckenator,’ is known for his energetic story telling of breaking news to his iconic interviews with television legends including Regis Philbin, Barbara Walters, and even past presidents such as Bill Clinton.
He started in television right out of high school when he was 18 at WJAC-TV in Johnstown. It was the same station he visited as middle schooler when he would pitch teen segment ideas to the general manager. While working in his hometown, Ryan learned the behind-the-scenes execution of a newscast, then moved to the news department a short time later. There, Ryan worked primarily as a one-man-band which involved shooting, writing, and editing his own stories. While at WJAC, Ryan solo anchored his first newscast at 19 and before leaving the station in 2005, he had reported, anchored, and filled-in on the weather segments.
All was achieved while earning his bachelor’s degree in communication at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.
In 2005, Ryan accepted a reporter position at WNEP-TV, one of America’s highest rated television stations. The News Station is based near Scranton, PA. Ryan worked mornings and weekends for two years before moving to Monday thru Friday, where he became one of the familiar faces on Newswatch 16 This Morning. Not only did Ryan become a regular personality, he also implemented and still produces his own franchise segments thanks in part to a lot of professional leeway from his bosses and fellow morning team members. The franchises include: “Leckey Live,” “Leckey Time,” and “What the Heck, Leck?” Ryan’s various franchise segments highlight everything from community causes to special projects which have included: “Leckey’s Look at The View,” “Leckey’s Look at Live! With Kelly & Michael” and “Leckey’s Look at “The Chew,” which gave viewers an all access pass to the ABC daytime talk shows and in-depth interviews with the hosts. Other interviews include chats with Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer, and Katie Couric. Ryan is also a big fitness advocate and has launched several interactive segments to help viewers shed the pounds including: “Fight Fat This Fall,” & “Slim Down For Summer.”
The self-proclaimed social media addict can be followed at facebook.com/ryanleckey and @RyanLeckey on Twitter and Instagram.
One of Ryan’s biggest accomplishments while living and working in Northeastern & Central Pennsylvania include the “Ryan’s Run” campaign. In addition to running in the I-N-G New York City Marathon, Ryan, along with WNEP-TV viewers helped raise nearly one-million dollars in the past four years. The money is being used to change lives for the better for kids and adults with disabilities at Allied Services. The NYC Marathon later named “Ryan’s Run,” as a Bronze Charity because of the significant amount of money it raised in such a short amount of time. The Bronze Charity status put the campaign on the same world stage as the Michael J. Fox & the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundations. “Ryan’s Run” was alsohonored as an “Outstanding Television Public Service Campaign” by the Pennsylvania Association of Broadcasters.
According to his website, RyanLeckey.com, his many accomplishments include: being named an "Outstanding Young Pennsylvanian" (Nov. 2011) by the commonwealth's Jaycees organization for his dedication to so many charitable causes. Also, an Emmy Nomination for his Spot News coverage during record flooding in the Spring of 2011 and another honor for his contribution to an Emmy Nominated Newscast in 2007. Ryan provided multiple live reports from a shutdown highway during the infamous Valentine's Day Snowstorm. Electric City Magazine has named Ryan "Best Local TV Personality" three years in a row. Ryan also holds a Master’s Degree from Marywood University in communication arts with a concentration in media management. Marywood is where Ryan taught courses in media performance and broadcast news writing.
When he’s not on the air or volunteering as a host at various community events, 'The Leckenator' can be found working out at CrossFit Scranton, a place he considers his second home.
Fun fact: Ryan has written/recorded several original songs and released his first album "Just Getting Started" on January 13, 2012. You can hear them at ryanleckey.com/music.