Hosts
Erica Golding hails from Ridgefield, Connecticut. After several years living on the East Coast she moved to Colorado where she received her degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Colorado-Boulder. After graduating, she moved to Hermosa Beach just outside of Los Angeles to pursue her career in television. She landed a job as a reporter and producer for a news station, where she gained the majority of her experience. After two years in California, she realized how much she missed Colorado and has since moved back.
Erica has recently traveled abroad and recounts the incredible experience. "Traveling to France made me realize just how spontaneous I can be. It’s incredible how you can go from sipping a glass of wine outside of the Eiffel tower, to surfing in Biarritz in just a few days."
Erica loves the fact that she never gets bored living in Denver with so much to do and so many new restaurants to explore. Considering one of her favorite past-times is eating out, exploring all of the restaurants in Denver has turned into one of her passions. Her favorite Restaurant Dish: The blackened fish sandwich at Cherry Creek Grill.
Looking for Erica around town? One may run into her jogging or having a BBQ with friends at Wash Park, or at any restaurants around town that have an outdoor deck. Her hobbies include dancing, snowboarding, hiking, camping, cooking, traveling, and of course, trying new restaurants.
As a host and producer for VISTA TV, Erica gives viewers a first hand look at the hottest spots in Denver.
Christian was born and raised in Youngsville, Pennsylvania, a small town of 1,200 in Northwest PA. After having family move to Colorado in 1999, he followed them out and moved to Colorado Springs in 2000 and fell in love with the mountains. Christian’s background is what you might call a “jack of all trades”. Photography has been a profession of his for over 10 years, having studied photojournalism at Brooks Institute of Photography in Ventura, California; it has taken him all over the world as a freelance photojournalist. He shot Tsunami devastated Indonesia in 2005, and has shot in Africa, Asia, and Europe. In 2008 Christian lived abroad in Capetown, South Africa studying Video Production at Media Village in Capetown. From there he interned at South Africa’s longest standing entertainment/lifestyle TV show “ Top Billing “. He had his hand in directing, camera work, acting, script writing and voiceover work during his time in Capetown, winning awards for some of his work. Moving back in Jan 09’ Christian felt Denver was the best opportunity to pursue the field of TV/Film/Acting so he made the move and is so glad he did.
Since returning he has landed spots in national Ads with Coors, modeled for Stetson and Xcel Energy nationally, and has acted in “ America’s Most Wanted” on FOX. He continues to pursue acting and modeling in the Mile High City while enjoying what this amazing city has to offer. Christian’s hobbies and passions are cartooning, hiking, photography, acting, snowboarding, traveling and cultures, working with kids, and spending time with his family and friends.
As a host for VISTA TV, Christian takes viewers on exclusive tours of Denver’s most sought after destinations.
Host
Taking his past experiences with leadership and youth involvement, Mike Manning hit the ground running in Washington D.C. in the beginning of MTV’s 23rd Season of The Real World. Landing a job with the Human Rights Campaign during his first week in the District, along with Energy Action Coalition shortly thereafter, Mike didn’t waste any time getting involved with issues that were important to him.
Following the handfuls of theatre productions and acting competitions in which Mike participated in as a child, his experience in The District only amplified his passion for being in front of the camera. Since then, Mike has been involved with films in the Denver area, as well as other entertainment-geared activities. Mike has also become increasingly comfortable in front of the camera with the many televised interviews and talk shows that have followed the show’s production. He has now decided that on the big screen is where he wants to be, and brings a passion to his work that is all his own. For VISTA TV, Mike will host “Mike Gets Local” a show where he will discuss a variety of topical issues with unsuspecting Denver locals throughout the city. Mike will also host a variety of VISTA segments as he takes viewers inside some of Denver’s coolest destinations.
Host/Producer
Stephanie Riggs is a veteran journalist who has won just about every prestigious award in television news. She anchored the news for more than 20 consecutive years around the country and has earned dozens of Emmy awards. She created her own show that aired on ABC Family titled “Fitting In” that takes a compassionate look at childhood obesity. She has also been a correspondent for 48 Hours; the CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and her work has appeared on The Early Show, Today Show and Court TV.
Stephanie has earned Back-to-Back Emmy Awards for Best Documentary and the Colorado Association of Black Journalists Excellence in Television Award. Riggs traveled to Senegal, West Africa for "Embracing a Dream: The Legacy of Oumar Dia". Riggs told the story of an African immigrant murdered in Denver while waiting for a bus after running luggage at the downtown Hyatt and how Colorado responded. A random act of violence resulted in spontaneous acts of kindness all over Colorado. A quarter of a million dollars in donations transformed Oumar Dia's village and Riggs showed how after his death his dream came true. Riggs sold photos she took of her trip to raise $5,000 for medical supplies for the village. The Rocky Mountain News featured a journal written by Riggs and her photos in the spotlight section on Easter 2000 and the story also appeared on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood and the Crier Report on Court TV. The Colorado Broadcasters Association named it Best News Series and Best Documentary. The documentary also won the National Headliner Award and a Gracie Award.
Riggs is a two-time winner of The Colorado Broadcasters Association Citizen of the Year for community service. She followed a child with Leukemia from diagnosis to cure and ran the London marathon to help raise more than 120-thousand dollars for research. She is the National Winner of the 1996 Russell L. Cecil Medical Journalism Award for her documentary about a teen who walked out of a wheelchair after overcoming debilitating arthritis. The National Association for Retarded Citizens named Riggs journalist of the year. Stephanie was also named The Leukemia Society of America's National Journalist of the Year.
As a host for VISTA TV, Stephanie brings her award-winning experience and passion for TV journalism to Colorado’s premier local lifestyle television network.
Howie Drummond was born on May 17 1970 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania. Howie decided at a young age that he loved to entertain people. After graduating from High School in 1988 he went straight to work in the kitchen at a local eatery and quickly worked his way to the head cook. Although he loves to cook he still felt that he was meant to do something else. Howie moved to Colorado in 1990 to join his family where continued working in the kitchen. Then in 1996 he won a contest to be an intern for a Colorado Springs radio station (98.9) Magic Fm and the rest is history...
Howie lives in Highlands Ranch Colorado with his wife Wendy, and his three girls Kay Leigh(16) Erin(14) and Madison(9). He has two dogs (Lily) and (Ludwig) and he is a huge Pittsburgh Steelers fan. Howie says that moving to Colorado was the best thing that he has ever done. "There's nowhere in the world I would rather be"
- 1996 to 2002 KKMG RADIO (Magic FM)
- 2001 to 2003 TV HOST/PRODUCER (DEW COLORADO)
- 2003 to 2004 WVMX RADIO (Cincinnati)
- 2004 to present KALC RADIO (ALICE 105.9)
- 2009 to present Foodink (VISTA TV)
Arriving before dawn on the first day of Fall, Kelsey entered this world just like the changing seasons- full of colorful expression. She developed a passion for dance and performance as she took her first steps, the gift of conversation as she spoke her first words and a zest for life as she began her journey over the mountains. An athletic enthusiast, Kelsey is a dancer of 20 years, active yogi, competitive tennis player, trail runner, Pure Barre instructor and an experienced speed walker!
True to her native roots, she earned her degree in Business-Marketing from Colorado State University where she is “proud to be a CSU ram”. Attracted by the Wild West and her love for sports, Kelsey danced for a professional sports team, entertaining NFL fans for four years. From the sidelines of the football field to the war zones she traveled, performing for troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Qatar, Kuwait, Dubai, Italy and Guam as a USO tour member. Arriving by helicopter, in a bullet-proof vest, Kelsey watched as a soldier in camouflage fatigues traced a large square in the sand. Dancing on this hand-drawn, desert sand stage in 130 degree heat was, to date, her greatest moment- a “thanks” to the men and women who sacrifice everything for our freedom and security.
Kelsey continues her quest for excitement, knowledge and experience through her career pursuits. Never taking a single moment for granted, she is enjoying the “climb” and the people she meets along the way.
As a host for VISTA TV, Kelsey takes viewers on exclusive tours of the city’s top destinations in everything from food to fashion, the hottest parties and most exclusive events.
V.P. of Production
Growing up in an international environment has provided Taj with a different perspective and better understanding of the world in which we live.
He was born in Fairfax, Virginia before moving to Abu Dhabi, UAE when he was 3. It was during his 6-year tenure in the UAE where he became exposed to different people and cultures, which set the foundation for his unique global perspective. During his time in the UAE he traveled extensively throughout the Middle East, Europe and Asia.
When he was 9 he moved to the Island of Oahu in Hawaii. Although part of the USA, Hawaii is truly in a world of its own; culturally diverse as it is beautiful. After a short, yet fun-filled year he moved to San Diego, California where to this day he calls home. Shortly after his high school graduation he moved to Denver, Colorado where he received his associates degree in Entrepreneurship and bachelors degree in Business Management from Johnson & Wales University. While at JWU, he also studied marketing, finance and international business.
In addition to his academic studies at JWU, he played men’s baseball and in 2007 was honored with an All American selection. During the last trimester of his senior year he had the opportunity to study in La Rochelle, France. His 4 months in France not only helped him increase his fluency in French but also modernized his perspective on the global community. He says it was a life-changing experience.
As the V.P. of Production for VISTA TV, Taj enjoys many responsibilities, which include producing, project management, and brand development.
Whether it’s the high fashion world on the red carpet or the thrill of the outdoors, Laura Kristi has done it all. She is one of the fastest rising television hosts in the business with her quick wit and her try anything attitude. At the young age of 28, Laura has hosted over a dozen programs including hit shows such as Sportsmen’s Outdoor Strategies, Bringing You the Best, Denver Live and her most recent, WANTED: Adventure Host. She has also performed color commentating on Fox Sports Net, played Chris Anthony’s girlfriend in the Warren Miller Film The Playground and made an appearance on TNT’s Leverage. In 2008, Laura collaborated with 28-time Emmy Award Winner, Stephanie Riggs, on a reality show titled, Fitting In which aired on ABC Family.
Laura’s talents are not limited to only working on screen, behind the camera she has worked as a writer, producer and sales woman. Her position within The Media Group as the Executive Producer for The Beauty & Fashion Channel and Associate Producer for the Men’s Outdoors & Recreation Network allowed her to put each of these talents to work creating, producing, selling and hosting programs on a national platform. While pursuing her television career, Laura also began to make a splash in the modeling industry. Designers such as Oscar De La Renta, Roberto Cavalli, Escada, Fendi and Ralph Loren began booking her for runway, and what started out as a way to make some extra cash quickly turned into an exciting career.
As Laura continues her life in the fast lane she claims she will always be “that small town girl at heart”. Growing up on family-owned cattle feedlot in northeastern Colorado has kept her feet firmly planted on the ground. She has a soft spot for the less fortunate and those with disabilities, which is why she raises awareness through charity work with Hands On Greater Portland, Kicking Cancer and Autism Speaks. Laura’s intention in life is to help bring about change through the power of television. Change that will instill joy, positivity and love that will encourage others to live happier, more rewarding lives.
Laura Kristi graduated in 2003 from Colorado State University with a BA in Communications. She now lives in Portland, OR with her fiancé and professional goalkeeper, Steve Cronin.
As a host for VISTA TV, Laura takes viewers on exclusive tours of some of the most prestigious and sought after destinations in town.
Working in the fashion industry as a Fashion Stylist and Women's Fit Technologist laid the foundation for growth teaching her the importance of fit, fashion, and effortless style. Her client list has since grown to include Shape Magazine, Working Title Films, London Fashion Week and national retailers such as Sports Authority and Gaiam, among others.
Passionate about helping women to look their best, Lakeysha Marie is author to published personal style articles and is currently the Fashion Columnist for the women's lifestyle and fashion magazine, Pink Diva Café. Her style savvy tips also frequent Denver based publication WomenOf, as well as WomensFashionbeans.com, the United Kingdom’s leading style and trend website for women.
Lakeysha-Marie holds a degree in Fashion Design & Merchandising from New York, with continued coursework in Styling & Photography from the London College of Fashion. After several years of successfully styling productions and photo shoots for clients in New York and London, she knew she could do more.
Inspired by her own journey of self-image and discovery, Lakeysha-Marie launched BeautyBodyStyle.com, a fashion blog and personal style website dedicated to helping women look and feel their personal best.