Longtime anchor and reporter Pam Cross is leaving WCVB-TV ABC 5 in Boston, her professional home for the last 35 years, she has announced.
“WCVB has given me a window on the world to see and chronicle caring, chaos, cruelty and creativity. There’s no way to set a value on what I’ve seen, heard and learned. There is always something new,” Pam said in a statement. “Opportunities come hand in hand with challenges. This is my opportunity to pull the shade on this window and open the door to new challenges. I am excited to start a new adventure after departing my post at WCVB in early March.”
The new challenge? Pam is leaving to start a new entrepreneurial venture with her husband Ron Ancrum. They are starting a business called Ancrum Strategic Advisors that will offer assistance to non-profits and small businesses with program evaluation, planning development and will help them improve their public face through better communications.
“Pam has been a committed colleague at WCVB for so many years, a consistent presence for us and the community she has served so well. She and her husband Ron are off to an exciting new joint venture,” WCVB President and General Manager Bill Fine told New England One, “which is our loss as Pam has always represented WCVB so well – on and off the air.”
WCVB News Director Andrew Vrees echoed the same sentiments.
“For 35 years, at WCVB, Pam has had a front row seat to some of the biggest stories of our lifetime. Whether she was behind the anchor desk or in the field Pam always delivered the news with confidence, compassion and commitment,” Vrees said. “Off the air Pam has also made significant impact in the communities we serve as an emcee, volunteer and mentor.”
Pam joined WCVB in 1981 as a general assignment reporter, and has been an integral part of the station’s news team since then. She was named anchorof the weekend edition of the Midday newscastin May 1993, and in September 1994 was named anchor for the 6pm and 11 pm weekend editions of NewsCenter 5. In March 2008, Pam moved to anchoring the Saturday evening editions of NewsCenter 5, and is also a general assignment reporter during the week.
Outside of WCVB, Pam is involved in the local community and is a big supporter of local charities. She has partnered with dozens of organizations including Mass Health Council, Partners for Youth with Disabilities, American Cancer Society NE, Dana Farber, National Association of Black Journalists. She has also been the recipient of numerous awards, including the YMCA Boston Black Achievers Award, honors from the Massachusetts Black Legislative Caucus, the Boston Association of Black Journalists, and is a member of the Boston YWCA's Academy of Women Achievers.
Before joining WCVB, Pam spent 5 years in Hartford, CT at WFSB-TV CBS 3, first as a general assignment reporter then as the weekend anchor and reporter. She also worked in radio news for WDRC in Hartford, and for WSTC in Stamford, CT.
A native of Norwalk, CT, Pam is a 1975 graduate of Emerson College in Boston where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in speech and journalism.
Her last day at WCVB is March 5.
Take a trip down memory lane with Pam and NewsCenter 5 below!
Pam Cross Reports: Inside Massachusetts newest medical marijuana dispensary (2015)
NewsCenter 5 at 6pm with Pam Cross & Bob Halloran Open/Close (2014)
NewsCenter 5 at 11 Open with Pam Cross & Bob Halloran (2009)
WCVB Promo - Coverage You Can Count On (1999)
News Update with Pam Cross (1996)
NewsCenter 5 at 11pm Clip with Pam Cross (1995)
