Gene McHugh, VP/General Manager of WAGA/Fox5
Atlanta, one of the nation’s highest-rated FOX Affiliates, was
born in Montclair, New Jersey and raised in St. Louis, Missouri.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Gene worked in advertising and broadcasting in Missouri, New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Atlanta, and has been employed by Fox Television Stations, Inc. since November 1993.
Gene, who served as a lieutenant in the U.S Navy Reserves, is actively involved in community projects. He serves on the Atlanta Ronald McDonald Houses Executive Committee, Board of Directors; and is a board member of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, USMC-R Toys For Tots Atlanta Campaign, and the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation.
Gene’s Irish roots are in County Roscommon. At the tender age of 17, his grandfather Michael McHugh left the 15-acre family farm located near the River Shannon in Roosky, and sailed on the steamer Teutonic from Queenstown, arriving at Ellis Island, April 15, 1897. After securing employment, he sent for his bride, Catherine Healy, who was born on an adjacent farm. The couple had six children, including Gene’s father, Paul. Michael became a U.S. citizen on October 13, 1902 and achieved rank of captain on the Montclair police force.
Gene says it was “Irish luck” that he married Deborah Ann Vivod. The couple have three grown children, Erin, Megan and Michael, and two grandchildren, Tommy Wood and Phoebe Eddings.
A graduate of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, Gene worked in advertising and broadcasting in Missouri, New York City, Chicago, Washington, DC, and Atlanta, and has been employed by Fox Television Stations, Inc. since November 1993.
Gene, who served as a lieutenant in the U.S Navy Reserves, is actively involved in community projects. He serves on the Atlanta Ronald McDonald Houses Executive Committee, Board of Directors; and is a board member of the Georgia Association of Broadcasters, USMC-R Toys For Tots Atlanta Campaign, and the Atlanta St. Patrick’s Day Foundation.
Gene’s Irish roots are in County Roscommon. At the tender age of 17, his grandfather Michael McHugh left the 15-acre family farm located near the River Shannon in Roosky, and sailed on the steamer Teutonic from Queenstown, arriving at Ellis Island, April 15, 1897. After securing employment, he sent for his bride, Catherine Healy, who was born on an adjacent farm. The couple had six children, including Gene’s father, Paul. Michael became a U.S. citizen on October 13, 1902 and achieved rank of captain on the Montclair police force.
Gene says it was “Irish luck” that he married Deborah Ann Vivod. The couple have three grown children, Erin, Megan and Michael, and two grandchildren, Tommy Wood and Phoebe Eddings.