Jackie Purcell, weatherperson for Channel 2 News, grew up in Anchorage. She assumed her present position in 1990, but that’s NOT what she’s going to talk about. At the monthly luncheon for Alaska Professional Communicators, Jackie will share stories of her debut in the movies — “Big Miracle” (the whale movie). As Jackie says, “I have photos from my movie experience. Little did I know that cameras were not supposed to be on set, but no one said a word to me!”

Jackie graduated from Bartlett High School in 1979. She attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Wash., graduating in 1983 with a degree in communications and a minor in political science. She started her career in 1984 at a small radio station in Chickasha, Okla., but decided to move “home” in 1985, working her way through radio and television until becoming the full-time weatherperson for Channel 2 News in December 1990.

“It’s a gratifying experience to work in a job you love, in a town you love, surrounded by people and scenery you love. Wow!” Jackie says.

Although she’s lived in Alaska for much of her life, Jackie had the opportunity to travel all over the world, thanks to a mother who believed travel was one the best educations one could have — plus the fact that she has relatives in Europe and Indonesia — and her father worked in the Middle East for a time.

Doing the weather at Channel 2 News keeps Jackie on her toes since Alaska presents some of the most challenging weather situations in the world. It’s definitely not the same old thing every day.

Jackie married Dannie Pearson, a former Channel 2 photographer, and counts as part of her family three cats … and would have more if it were up to her.

Jackie Purcell