It's only fitting that Local 4 Business Editor Rod Meloni takes pride in reaching new frontiers.

Rod was born just a stone's throw from Plymouth Rock, where the Mayflower landed, in Plymouth, Mass.

His favorite part of being a reporter is breaking big news stories, getting there first. Rod says he feels a "true sense of pride that comes in that moment."

However, no matter how big the story, or how cold the weather, you'll probably never see Rod on the air wearing a hat. You see, when Rod first came to Local 4, he did live reports outside in the winter. Concerned viewers called the station, wondering why Rod was not wearing a hat. So he bought one -- a black leather Australian cowboy hat. Rod thought he looked OK, but pretty much everyone else told him otherwise, so he hasn't worn a hat since.

Rod has also completed a new personal conquest as he is now certified as a professional financial planner.

When not working or studying, you can find Rod and his family motoring around a nearby lake "as often as possible."

Rod and his wife Karen have three daughters: Bryanna, Kayleigh and Leslie Anne.

* Favorite Restaurant: Villa Maria's Italian Restaurant in West Bloomfield
* Favorite Movie: "The Millionaire Next Door"
* Favorite Books: Tom Clancy novels