Dave Madsen

Now logging year 18 at WGGB-Channel 40, Dave Madsen spent 12 years before that at Channel 22. Though Springfield is not one of the top 25 TV markets, Madsen, who was born in Southampton, says he never wanted to leave his home in the Valley to climb the greasy pole, but preferred to stay in the community he knew and become a trusted TV reporter and anchor. "This is the next best thing to being a politician," he says. "You let them know what you think."