Kelly Huston

My name is Kelly Huston and I’m part technology & web 2.0 geek, part media junkie and have developed the knack for knowing how to tell a story in really simple terms. I guess that’s probably why I’ve been blessed with success in my career as a crisis communicator, part-time documentary producer and still photographer. Oh, and throw in sportbikes and three very cute Dachshunds and you’re well on your way to getting to know me. Why Does the Name Sound So Familiar? I can usually tell when someone is trying to place me. I’ll be standing in line at the grocery store and there’s a funny little look and second glance my way. The wheels are turning. Despite my career beginnings as a part-time Parking Enforcement Officer at the Modesto Police Department back in the late 1980’s, most people are familiar with me as the face and voice of some of the most notorious criminal cases in the past decade – the Yosemite Sightseer Disappearance, the Chandra Levy disappearance and murder and, most recently, the murder trial of Scott Peterson. Throw in a few natural disasters like the devastating 1997 flooding in northern California and the statewide wildfire siege in mid-2008 and somewhere my name, face or voice became a part of history. It’s an honor, and humbling, to know that I have helped some people in the midst of the worst times in their lives. What’s my Passion? Documentary Filmmaking – Among other videos, I produced a 30-minute documentary, “On the Front Line: Gangs, Guns & Violence” that aired on KVIE in Sacramento and was later nominated for an Emmy by the National Association of Television Arts & Sciences. I wrote the script, videotaped the interviews, edited it at my home on a PC using Adobe Premiere Pro and mastered it to DVcam tape. It’s crazy that the days of tape machines and million dollar equipment are all but gone. You can view several of my productions by clicking on video. Crisis Communications – Having managed the swarms of national and local press covering high-profile cases has given me a chance to learn on the job and gain a sense of confidence. When crisis strikes, I now look forward to putting my knowledge to work and getting the facts to the public as quickly as possible. I also enjoy the opportunities I’ve had to build effective crisis communication teams. Everything Sportbikes – Yes, I know this seems a bit random, but my life can’t be all about serious things. When I’m not working, I love visiting motorcycle shops