Make yourself at 'Holmes,' Melissa: Top-rated 'Daybreak' welcomes new co-anchor to the team

WGRZ-TV has announced that Melissa Holmes has been named the permanent co-anchor of its top-rated "Daybreak" program weekday mornings, starting Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2013.

Holmes started with "2 On Your Side" in January. In that time, she has been the main anchor of "2 On Your Side's" "Ten at 10" on WNYO-TV. She has also been a reporter for all of WGRZ's newscasts. In addition, Holmes has been filling in occasionally on the "Daybreak" anchor desk since the end of November.

"We are thrilled to have Melissa join the 'Daybreak' team," said Jeff Woodard, WGRZ news director. "Her professionalism, strong journalistic background, and her engaging personality are the perfect match for our talented morning team. She has quickly become a favorite among our fans, and we look forward to her continued growth in this new role."

Holmes will join the "Daybreak" crew, which includes John Beard, meteorologist Andy Parker, Kevin O'Neil, Matt Granite, Mary Friona and Heather Ly, as well as a talented staff of producers and photographers. They have worked to make "Daybreak" the No. 1 rated news from 4:30-7 a.m. weekday mornings.

 "I'm absolutely thrilled to become part of the 'Daybreak' team, a family, to now inform, energize and entertain other families as they start their day," Holmes said. "I'm passionate about being an advocate for Western New Yorkers, because I'm truly one of them. This is my hometown and I couldn't be more proud of it."

Holmes is an Amherst native. She graduated summa cum laude from the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University. She started her career as a reporter and fill-in anchor at WSYR-9 in Syracuse, and a reporter and producer at WTVH-5, also in Syracuse.

While living in London for six months, Holmes worked for Sky News. Immediately prior to joining WGRZ, she was an anchor/reporter at WIVB. In addition to her on-air work, she appears at various charity events throughout the year.

Holmes replaces Jodi Johnston, who was the co-anchor of "Daybreak" and "First at Five." Channel 2 is in the process of finding a new co-anchor to join Scott Levin and Kevin O'Connell for "First at Five." Until then, Holmes will temporarily split her anchor duties between "Daybreak" and "First at Five."