Joe Pagonakis

Joe Pagonakis is NewsChannel 5’s Troubleshooter. A veteran crime beat reporter, Joe’s tough reporting skills are an essential part of NewsChannel 5’s Investigative unit.

Growing up in Seven Hills, Joe Pagonakis learned to love the spring and fall foliage in northeast Ohio, so it was no surprise that Joe jumped at the opportunity to come back to Cleveland. Since returning to NewsChannel 5 in 1993, Joe has filled the roles of general assignment reporter, News Alert anchor, and now, On Your Side Troubleshooter.

Before coming to NewsChannel5, Joe was a news anchor in Fort Wayne, Ind., and also spent time as a consumer reporter, a special projects producer, and as the reporter/producer for a special segment on volunteers called "Joe's Heroes."

Joe has also worked in Youngstown as a weekend anchor and news producer. Joe is no stranger to NewsChannel5. He was an employee of WEWS, and working as a videotape editor and on the station's camera operations crew from 1981 - 1984. Joe graduated from Normandy High School before attending Ohio University and earning a B.A. in broadcast journalism. While still in high school, Joe was an auto mechanic and played for the chess team. He says he often left oil on the chess pieces in those days!

Joe thoroughly enjoys working in the television industry, and says that although television is not living up to its potential as a medium that can help society, its power to influence people to do good deeds can be dramatic. That became evident for Joe when he worked in Indiana. There, he was given a Distinguished Service award by the Associated Churches of Fort Wayne, Allen County for starting a food program to serve homeless children.

Joe has won many awards, including Best Documentary from the Ohio Associated Press for "1987 Race for Peace." He was a finalist for the National Public Service Emmy for his documentary "Last Voice From Kuwait" in 1991. Additionally Joe has been recognized by the Arthritis Foundation and the Fort Wayne Rescue Mission for his fundraising efforts. He was also the president of the Association of News Producers and Reporters in 1996-97.

Joe is first and foremost a father, and says his proudest moment came when he was on hand to witness the birth of his two children! His parents were both born in Greece, and Joe is very proud of his mother, who worked two jobs to put him and his siblings through college.

The On Your Side Troubleshooter role is a perfect fit to Joe’s journalistic strengths. If you have a problem, give him a call! You can e-mail Joe at pagonakis@newsnet5.com.