Loren McGinnis named new host of the Calgary Eyeopener

A new voice will lead Calgarians into their weekdays starting Dec. 12, when Loren McGinnis takes the host chair with Calgary's No. 1 morning radio show, the Calgary Eyeopener.

McGinnis comes to Calgary from Yellowknife, where he spent nearly a decade hosting the local morning program, The Trailbreaker, on CBC Radio One North in the Northwest Territories, Western Nunavut and northern Alberta.

Although he hasloved his career in the North, McGinnis says he's looking forward to bringing new energy and perspectives to southern Alberta's airwaves.

"Calgary is a dynamic, friendly, important, can-do place. In many ways, it's the engine for change and growth for the whole country," said McGinnis.

"I love morning radio getting to spend time with people first thing in the morning. Bringing news, stories and connecting everyone to their community is a huge privilege and responsibility."

McGinnis, originally from B.C., began as an intern at CBC Edmonton before working as a reporter, producer and host.

He moved to Yellowknife in 2007, taking his broadcasts to dozens of communities, including live from an evacuation camp in Fort Simpson, N.W.T., after flooding displaced residents of the region. He won an RTDNAaward for that work.

McGinnis's curiosity and community focus became evident to CBC Calgary's senior director of journalism and programming, Helen Henderson, when McGinnis filled in as host of the Calgary Eyeopener for two weeks in September.

"Loren criss-crossed Calgary, meeting people and getting to know the city. He's going to be an amazing addition to our Calgary Eyeopener team," she said.

In his new role, McGinnis hopes to continue exploring his new backyard, taking the show on the road where possible.

On top of connecting with Calgarians, McGinnis says he wants to connect with nature in Alberta through camping, fishing and road trips.

By his side will be his wife, a Calgary-born special education teacher, his two sons, ages five and eight, and their husky-shepherd pup, Murray.

'Wake up and get going in a good way'

When he's not on the radio, McGinnis confesses he's a "slow but committed long-distance runner."

He's also a standup comic.

McGinnis is replacing long-time Calgary Eyeopener host David Gray, who retired in June.

McGinnis says he's excited to join the show's traffic and weather reporter, Angela Knight, and the rest of the show's team to explore the stories and issues that make Calgary such an interesting place.

"I know people's days can be made by how they get started. If I can help people wake up and get going in a good way, I'm doing my job," he said.

The Calgary Eyeopener can be heard weekdays from 6 to 8:30 a.m. on CBC Radio One and on CBC Listen. The show sets the agenda for the day, asking the questions that need to be answered and bringing compelling local stories to Calgarians.