Christian Hetrick | News reporter
Manahawkin, NJ | Phone: (609) 425-0512 | christian@christianhetrick.com | Twitter: @_Hetrick

EXPERIENCE

State House Reporter – Observer – Trenton, NJ – (June 2017 to present)

• Covers New Jersey politics and government with daily stories on the incoming and outgoing governors, state Legislature and key congressional races in the 2018 midterm election.
• Breaks stories that have a major impact, including first reports on important legislation and developments on the campaign trail. Highlights include exposing a lame-duck bill to give politicians bigger pensions and putting a price tag on Gov.-elect Murphy’s policy proposals.
• Writes investigative reports that expose corruption and wrongdoing by frequently filing public records requests and examining campaign finance reports. My most recent investigation exposed a loophole in New Jersey’s pay-to-play disclosure law.
• Produces a daily newsletter on New Jersey politics that includes original reporting and rounds up the best stories from Observer and other outlets.
• Runs a Twitter feed with more than 2,800 followers that consistently delivers news to readers.

City Hall Reporter – Press of Atlantic City – Pleasantville, NJ – (December 2014 to June 2017)

• Covered Atlantic City’s financial crisis, a high-profile story followed by national outlets, from the casino town’s economic downturn to the controversial state takeover of city government.
• Served as a face of the newspaper with appearances on NPR, NJTV, Fox News and local radio stations talking about local issues that appeal to a larger audience.
• Recorded explainer videos and podcast episodes attached to news stories.
• Previously served as a breaking news/digital reporter (December 2014 to May 2015), maintaining the website display and social media accounts.

 Sports Reporter – Philadelphia Inquirer – Philadelphia, PA – (May 2014 to December 2014)

• Wrote high school sports roundups, live game and feature stories.
• Uploaded scores and schedules to the website.

 EDUCATION
Rowan University – Glassboro, NJ – B.A. May 2014
Journalism major and writing arts minor, 3.88 GPA

• Served as Editor-in-Chief of The Whit, Rowan’s student newspaper.
• Recipient of the College of Communications and Writing Arts’ 2014 medallion for “Excellence in Journalism.”

 SKILLS

• Proficient in programs such as Microsoft Excel, Pacer and LexisNexis.
• Can analyze and sort large quantities of data.
• Ability to use, navigate and edit footage and audio on iMovie and GarageBand.
• Frequently file Open Public Records Act requests.

 AWARDS

• Third place, Robert Kelly Award for Reporting/Writing, in the 2015 New Jersey Press Association Newspaper Contest.
• First place, Investigative Reporting, in the 2013 New Jersey Press Foundation College Newspaper Contest.
• First place, Opinion/Column Writing, in the 2012 New Jersey Press Foundation College Newspaper Contest.