Chris Cifatte anchors WINK NEWS NOW at 5, 6 and 11 p.m weeknights.

Since 2002, Chris has anchored and reported on many different types of stories for WINK NEWS NOW including Hurricanes Charley and Wilma. Chris' investigation into FEMA's underpayment of flood insurance claims after Hurricane Charley was widely used on Capitol Hill in attempts to reform the way flood insurance compensates hurricane victims.

In his nearly 15 years in television journalism, Chris has also covered such major events as the 9/11 attacks, Presidential Debates in 2000 and 2004, Pope John Paul II's visits to the United States, and the death of NASCAR legend Dale Earnhart.

Chris' television career has taken him many places from Salisbury, MD where he anchored for the ABC affiliate, to Greenville, SC where he anchored and did consumer investigations for WYFF-TV, the NBC station.

Chris holds a Masters Degree in Business from Pepperdine University and an undergraduate degree from The American University in Washington DC. Before working in television, he was a business and financial consultant in Los Angeles.

Beginning in 1997, Chris began teaching journalism, public speaking and public relations at the college level. He taught classes at Salisbury University, Clemson University and now at FGCU in Southwest Florida.

Chris is also very involved in the community. He volunteers with Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Southwest Florida and was named Lee County's Big Brother of the Year in 2006.

When he's not working, you'll find Chris at the beach, reading, or exploring Southwest Florida.

Email Chris Cifatte: chris.cifatte@winknews.com