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ERIC FLACK WAVE 3 TROUBLESHOOTER E ric Flack, WAVE 3's award-winning troubleshooter, is often perceived as being confrontational and aggressive. Louisville's "Best Reporter" – as voted in 2012, is constantly chasing down bad guys – perpetually looking for the villain, holding people accountable and standing up for the little guy. It's an important role he feels lucky to have. He's also a much nicer guy in person than he is on television, and taller – another shocking attribute that people in the community are surprised to fnd out. Flack, it turns out, is tall and nice. Infuenced by the political scene of Washington, D.C. where he grew up, by the age of 16 he had taken a role at the Landon School newspaper where he knew he was destined to be a journalist. Later, during his university years at UNCChapel Hill, he bypassed studying journalism in the classroom. Instead, worked multiple summer internships, where he ended up working harder during the summers than during the academic school year. Flack, you see, prefers to learn on the job, as he did during his frst real job in Scottsbluff, NE where he broke three cameras on his frst three assignments. As the story goes, a man who learns on the fy is not easily discouraged by a few lapses of equipment. But despite always knowing that he wanted to be a journalist, being a television reporter wasn't always so clear. "I used to obsess about being an anchor," he remembers. "But I was miserable chasing this false sense of who I was supposed to be. I'm an investigative reporter. That's what I love to do. This job [in Louisville] was a dream come true. I have a passion for it." It's this proclaimed passion that has given him an edge. The love for his position at WAVE 3 and what he is doing for the community allows him to always be looking for the next story. Having the next story is how you stay the best, an idea he stands by. But there is also plenty of pressure that comes with being the best. People expect more from him because they know he is capable of producing award-winning work on every story which doesn't make the job any easier. But then again, when has this guy ever strolled down Easy Street? With a track record of being fair, it's his hope that there is respect for him in the community. People may not always agree with what he is asking, but being recognized as talented immediately helps viewers understand that despite publicly exposing a situation, he conducts all of his work in an honest and fair way, staying cognizant that he is making people's lives public. But in the fast-paced world of reporting, you're only as good as your last story and sometimes that leads to asking the tough questions, even if it means walking into some situations that maybe he shouldn't – like being assaulted on camera. In 2004, during an interview with the executive director of Louisville Pro – a company accused of running a pyramid FA L L 2 0 1 3 scam, he found himself in an unfamiliar position – being repeatedly punched in the face by a business executive while on camera. It wasn't the eviction from their offce space the next day or the warrant out for the executive's arrest that made headlines. Rather, it was the assault and his cameraman's wherewithal that gained attention on nightly news programs across the country. "In journalism," he proclaims adamantly, "You always keep the cameras rolling." When pressed for clarifcation whether the cameraman is supposed to step in and save the reporter or simply make sure the red light is on, the excitement and thrill of the job for him is clearly visible. "Let it roll. He's supposed to keep it rolling. Always. If he does need to put the camera down, he's supposed to put it down facing me. Why get beat up on camera if he's not getting the story about it?" That's exactly what the crew did; every charge made indisputable thanks to the little red light that is sure to always remain on. As Louisville's best troubleshooter; he's the local Superman of journalism, holding people accountable one story at a time, one well-ftting suit and perfectly styled head of hair to accompany every success. Flack's success, however, doesn't stem from his good looks. He is constantly paying attention to the world around him. Never off the clock, he always has his eyes and ears open to catch any and every story that the average Joe often misses. Superman capabilities aside, don't get the impression that he is out dangerously patrolling the streets all alone. With nine years in Louisville under his belt, the countless contacts made around town during this time serve as another component of his success. Being in the same city for long periods of time lends a reporter that earned courtesy. People know Flack. People call Flack. He has more good stories on his desk than he has time to cover. But sometimes being a well-known tough-guy in the public eye has its downsides. Story has it, people don't always answer his calls in fear of being the star of his next story. He's not been able to get an electrician to his house for two years. Yet there is another side to this seemingly aggressive saver of the community. When asked what people don't know about him, he turned on that charming smile. "I'm sweet and sensitive. I'm a Sagittarius, I'm super laid back and a ton of fun. I have a good sense of humor…" and the list went on. With a gentle reminder that this was about him being Louisville's best reporter, he laughed and retorted with, "Oh, this isn't the Bachelor interview?" But there is a private side to the journalist as well, endearingly referred to as his alter ego. The father of two (Miles, 7, Rosalee 5) surprises people when noticed out in the community. He's just a normal dad who spends most of his mornings rushing to get the kids dressed, fed and out the door before starting w w w. v o i c e - t r i b u n e . c o m | The Voice oF LouisviLLe 29