Meteorologist David Heckard Joining WJXT

David Heckard

Graham Media Group’s independent WJXT Jacksonville, Fla., has hired David Heckard as assistant chief meteorologist beginning Sept. 6.  He joins anchors Tarik Minor on News4JAX at 4 pm and Kent Justice and Joy Purdy on News4JAX at 6:30 pm, in addition to News4JAX.com and News4JAX+.

Heckard has spent several years as a meteorologist at Spectrum News 13, the 24-hour cable news operation serving the Orlando, Fla., area.  Before that, he worked at WZVN Fort Myers, Fla.; WEHT Evansville, Ind.; and WXVT Greenville, Miss.

“We’re fortunate to have David join The Weather Authority team,” said Terri Cope Walton, Vice President and General Manager.  “He is an extremely talented meteorologist who has tracked Florida hurricanes and is dedicated to keeping people safe from oncoming storms which is important here on the First Coast.”

In addition to assisting John Gaughan, Richard Nunn, Mark Collins and Danielle Uliano in the weather department, Heckard will help research, organize, write and produce weather stories and graphics for TV, digital and OTT.

He graduated from Purdue University with a B.S. in meteorology and has a CBM certification and NWA seal. In addition, he has won Florida Association of Broadcast Journalists awards for weather reporting and received a breaking news Emmy nomination for his 2020 tornado coverage.