The Staff at amNewYork
Pete Catapano, executive editor
I came on board at amNewYork in October 2003 to help launch a free start-up daily that many thought wouldn’t survive in NYC. I’m relieved that the “experts” -- friends, former teachers, peers, relatives and pets -- were wrong.
Born in Queens, I’ve worked in journalism since I was 18, starting at college papers and moving to community papers and wire services. I edited a Brooklyn weekly for six years, I did some hard time at the AP sports department — the “highlight” being my repeated phone calls before sunrise to South Africa for golf results that only the most dedicated of fans were waiting for.
What makes amNewYork fun for me and our readers is that you’ll never know how your day is going to go. Very few jobs allow you to focus your energy on state politics, the city’s top sangria spots and Snooki all in the same day. My career goal is to eventually become Batman.
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Robert Levin, news editor
I joined the staff in February 2012, but I've been associated with the paper in one capacity or another since I came on board as an intern in January 2007. I spent three semesters interning here and three-and-a-half years as a freelance editor and writer. Now, I'm a news editor, an entertainment reporter and our film critic.
A movie-and-sports buff, I can usually be found watching and/or writing about one or the other. I've covered a wide range of arts beyond film, though, and I've done my share of news and political writing too. I've written for The Atlantic, The Star-Ledger and Backstage, among other publications.
I'm a native of St. Louis, born and raised mere miles from the west bank of the Mississippi River. But I'm the son of New Yorkers and I've always known that I'd some day end up in NYC. I've lived in Manhattan since I started NYU in 2004, and I don't plan on leaving. Ok, maybe I'll try Brooklyn.
Scott A. Rosenberg, entertainment editor/designer
As I write this biography of myself, I'm holding a corn-cob pipe in my teeth that another editor got in with a press kit. I'll never use it to smoke, but I think it makes me look distinguished.
I'm currently assembling pmNY, which is amNewYork's daily entertainment section. I cover television, music, film, books and those kinds of mediums. I also do some writing — these days it seems mostly to be with a focus on television, though I'm known to dabble in topics such as comic books, wrestling and music. I've interviewed a lot of famous people and if you find me in person somehow, I'll tell you who was the dumbest.
Before returning to my home state of New York a few years back (I grew up on the mean streets of Westchester), I was lurking the streets our nation's capitol, working for a couple of papers down there and colleging, which is a new verb I created for this bio, meaning going to college. I launched the print edition of The Onion in D.C. with another fellow. This always seems to impress people, but it's not as glamorous as it sounds. Wait, it doesn't sound glamorous at all, does it?
When I'm not in the office, I'm typically found perusing the aisles at The Strand looking to add more books to my already impressive personal library. If you see me there, please don't talk to me, I'm busy browsing. Those books aren't going to buy themselves. I'm also known for my skills as a ringer at karaoke, and I dare you to challenge me to a showdown of Billy Joel's "Only the Good Die Young," because I will destroy you.
My dream jobs: writing Batman comics, being a voice actor in a cartoon, a stand-up comedian or a combination of all three in some kind of uber-nerd gig.
I've named my beard the Zach Galifi-knock-off, which is still copyright pending.
Tim Herrera, reporter & social media editor
I joined amNewYork in the fall of 2010 after interning here for the summer. I like to write the news story and the tweet, and I do the online thing.
Colorado native, came here for school at NYU, and now I can't imagine leaving.
Sheila Anne Feeney, reporter
I cover everything from anti-Muslim bias to the push for medical marijuana.
A veteran of the staffs of The Seattle Times, The New York Daily News and Quick & Simple (a now-defunct Hearst publication), I also served as associate editor for Represent: The Voice of Youth in Care. I’ve also freelanced for The Los Angeles Times and oodles of magazines, books, and websites. Before joining amNY, I did a stint as a labor services representative for the New York State Department of Labor, where I counseled a clown doctor, a professional patient, a lifeguard who desired a position that did not involve looking at cellulite or children, and a staggering number of unemployed journalists.
I have a special interest in solution-oriented, social justice journalism and certifications in rape crisis counseling, scuba diving and CPR-AED administration. I spend an indefensible amount of salsa dancing and always, always run to make the light.
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Dan Rivoli, reporter
I am a transportation and general assignment reporter with amNewYork. My recent freelance work has appeared in Crain’s New York Business, Capital New York and DNAinfo.
After graduating from the CUNY School of Journalism in 2007, I started my career as a community reporter with Manhattan Media publications West Side Spirit and Our Town East Side. I also wrote for the publisher's political newspapers, City Hall and The Capitol, as well as its alternative weekly, the New York Press.
I shifted to legal reporting at Law360, a newswire for lawyers covering legislation, regulation and litigation. Then, I launched a legal beat at the International Business Times, an online news publication where I covered the Supreme Court and national politics.
I am a Staten Island native living across the bridge in Brooklyn.
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Ivan Pereira, reporter
I am the reporter for amNewYork covering City Hall and other breaking news.
I spent four years covering southeast Queens for the TimesLedger Newspapers, covering everything from murders, politics and a cat that got lost at JFK; sadly little Jack did not make it. I freelanced for The New York Times covering breaking news in the metro area before joining amNewYork.
I'm a lifelong New Yorker who enjoys kicking back with a good comic book, movie, video game and an occasional few laps in a pool.
Julie Gordon, style/entertainment editor
I cover fashion and entertainment for amNewYork, which has led me to report from New York Fashion Week, MAGIC, the Sundance Film Festival and the Tribeca Film Festival, among other events.
Before coming to amNewYork in 2007, I worked as a reporter at BusinessWeek.com, where I covered a range of topics, from business schools to retail to style, and produced the site's most clicked-on fashion story to date — a piece on interview dress.
I was born in Manhattan, moved from Brooklyn to New Jersey when I was six and then back to Manhattan after college. I graduated from The George Washington University, where my work at the student paper, The Hatchet, sparked my interest in journalism.
When I'm not working, I might be at the theater -- stage or screen. In spring 2010, I co-produced John Osborne's play "Look Back in Anger" for Clout in the Mug Productions.
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Georgia Kral, features and special sections editor
I am the features and special sections editor at amNewYork. Previously, I was multimedia editor at WNET’s multi-platform news program MetroFocus and the founding editor of Carroll Gardens Patch.
My writing has also appeared in The New York Times, the NY Daily News and the Village Voice, as well as on the WNYC Culture website. From 2009-2011, I wrote a niche music blog and built a dedicated following for it through social media.
I attended Hampshire College and was a member of the inaugural class at the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism, where I'm now an adjunct professor. My favorite things include Chinese food, Bob Dylan and my cat, Sandwich.
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Scott Fontana, associate editor, sports
I came aboard the amNewYork staff in September 2012 after six years with the Daily Record and the New Jersey Herald in North Jersey. My love of journalism was sparked in high school by my teacher, the late Jane Hopper, and continued through college at Fairleigh Dickinson University's College at Florham.
I love sports, particularly pro football, basketball, baseball and mixed martial arts. I'm currently a blue belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu under Renzo Gracie black belt Jamie Cruz. When I'm not participating in, reading about, writing about or watching sports, I'm usually watching movies or playing video games.
I've lived my whole life in New Jersey, but will marry a born-and-raised Brooklyn girl in September 2013.
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Heather Senison, associate editor
Born and raised in New York City, I started reading amNewYork when it first came out while I was in high school and fell in love with its quirky headlines and quick, convenient news stories.
I pursued journalism through college and several news outlets until I landed a job with my favored daily paper. Now, when I'm not developing content and helping the team glue amNewYork together, I'm riding horses, hanging by the ocean and seeing as much live music as possible. I also love to eat.