Mike Jakaitis changes roles in 2020, moving from midday editor to afternoon drive editor.

In 2019, he shifted from morning drive editor to midday editor.

Since starting at WTOP in 1997, he has worked almost every shift imaginable. He started off as an Assistant Editor working 4 a.m. to noon. After about two years, he received a promotion to Editor but the hours were midnight to 9 a.m. on weekends. During that same time period, he served as the afternoon Assistant Editor working 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. After working that shift for two years, he became the Evening Editor working 4:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

Mike then became the morning drive editor, starting his day at 1:30 a.m. 

He enjoys his job and gets to work with a lot of passionate people.

He has had the opportunity to cover a lot of stories. Mike was at the editor’s desk the morning of Sept. 11. Like many of us, He’ll never forget that day.

Mike attended Mount Vernon High School in Alexandria, Va. After high school he attended Penn State and James Madison University.

In his spare time, he enjoys working out at the gym and in 2001 Mike completed the Marine Corps Marathon. However, Mike’s biggest accomplishment took place in 2006. He was diagnosed with colon cancer but after undergoing surgery, he is happy to say that he is cancer free.

His favorite thing to do is spending time with his wife Kellie attending sporting events or relaxing at Wintergreen.

You can email Mike at mjakaitis@wtop.com