Jeff Atkinson

Jeff Atkinson grew up on a farm in Kingdom City, Mo. At the age of 10 Atkinson knew that he wanted to be on TV when he grew up. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he graduated with degrees in broadcast journalism and German studies.

Atkinson worked for almost three decades as an anchor, reporter, and producer at TV stations in Missouri, West Virginia, and North Carolina finishing at WBTV Channel 3 in Charlotte. He changed careers in 2012 and joined the staff at Wingate University in Wingate, N.C. serving in various roles including in the marketing and communications office and office of the president.

Though Atkinson left the news business full-time, he still stays involved in politics and current affairs working part-time at WBT-AM 1110, a news-talk radio station in Charlotte. As Vice President of The Helms Center, Atkinson is responsible for the Center’s marketing and communications strategy, assisting with fundraising and advancing the Center’s free enterprise programming. He joined The Helms Center in 2020.