Robert Handa Biography
Robert Handa is a renowned Asian-American reporter for NBC Bay Area News at 5 pm, 6 pm, and 11 pm. He joined the station in June 2014, making a return to the station where he began his journalism career more than three decades ago.
In addition to his reporting job at NBC Bay Area, Robert also hosts Asian Pacific America with Robert Handa. It is a weekly program that covers Asian newsmakers, events, community achievements, and youth perspectives. The program airs every Sunday morning at 5:30 a.m. on NBC Bay Area and encores at 6 p.m. on COZI TV.
Robert Handa Education
Robert is a South Bay native who attended DeAnza College and received a media internship at KNTV Channel 11 after winning a contest. This is when he made his first big move toward a career in broadcast journalism.
Later, while attending San Jose State University, KNTV offered him a part-time job. He went on to become the station’s first Asian-American reporter. In addition, he joined a small group of other Bay Area television reporters who had achieved the same honor.
Robert Handa Career
Handa recorded, produced, and edited a five-part documentary series on gangs that earned a Peninsula Press Club award for Best Documentary News Series when he was just 22 years old. He also assisted in the introduction of KNTV’s first-weekend newscast.
Some of his most memorable jobs include flying with the Blue Angels, covering the 49ers’ Super Bowl victory, participating in an ocean rescue with the Air National Guard, a 5-part series on Alaska, reporting from a boat on the Mavericks’ surf competitions, and the Queen of England and Prince Philip’s visit to Hewlett Packard.
Among those he has interviewed are President Jimmy Carter, the Dalai Lama, Henry Kissinger, Hillary Rodham Clinton, UFW Founder Cesar Chavez, Russian President Mikhail Gorbachev, astronaut Buzz Aldrin, 49ers quarterback Joe Montana, Giants baseball great Willie Mays, former 49ers head coach Bill Walsh, both ‘Mr. Sulu’s: George Takei and John Cho, and TV star, writer, and producer Mindy Kaling.
Handa has received a number of national journalistic honors, including two top awards from the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) and a first-place award from the National Association of Black Journalists. Robert also won numerous Emmys, including one for outstanding performance in investigative reporting and one for best documentary from the Associated Press. He was named to the AAJA’s Pioneers in Journalism Honor Roll in 2010.
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Moreover, in 2016, Handa was named “Reporter of the Year” by the Associated Press Television and Radio Association. He also received an award for “Best Coverage of an Ongoing Story” for a series on the postponed $300 million expansion of Santa Clara Valley Medical Center.
Sunnyvale High School, De Anza College, and SJSU have all given him outstanding alumnus awards. Handa is a member of AAJA, KIMOCHI, Self-Help for the Elderly, Yu-Ai Kai Japanese American Community Senior Service, and Asian Americans for Community Involvement, among other Bay Area groups (AACI).
Robert spent 16 years at KTVU as the station’s South Bay Reporter before returning to NBC Bay Area. Previously, Handa worked for KPIX in San Francisco as a reporter and fill-in anchor, as well as KQED-TV as a reporter and documentary producer.
Robert Handa Age
How old is Robert Handa? Handa is very private about his age and date of birth. It is therefore unclear when he celebrates his birthday. We promise to update you once the information is available in the public domain.
Robert Handa Wife
Handa is married to Arlene Sison-Handa. They are blessed with two children, Mason and Olivia, and currently reside in Morgan Hill. However, Robert has not disclosed further details regarding his marital affair. We promise to keep you posted as soon as possible.
Robert Handa Family
Handa was born to Albert and Harumi Handa. Both his parents are of Japanese descent. His grandfather, Sukeji Handa, was an immigrant to the Santa Clara Valley from Japan’s Yamaguchi Prefecture in 1906 as a farm laborer.
Robert Handa Height
Handa stands at an approximate height of 5 feet 6 inches.
Robert Handa Net Worth
Handa has an estimated net worth of between $1 million – $5 million. His income is mainly from his successful career as a broadcast journalist.
Robert Handa Salary
As a result, Handa earns an approximate annual salary of between $40,000 and $110,500 from his job as a reporter.
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