Leigh Armstrong, Patch Staff

I wish I could say I was born with a camera in my hand, but the truth is that I picked up an old camera my parents were going to throw away when I was seven years old. Ever since then, I’ve been shooting and trying to take photos of anything I could. My love of photography led to a love of writing and reporting on things of importance. I spent some time in the U.S. Army as a Public Affairs Specialist and worked for the St. Petersburg Times and tbt*. In December 2010, I had the two biggest achievements in my life happen within a week of each other. I received my degree in journalism from the University of South Florida St. Petersburg and got married to the love of my life.

I started my work at Patch in Florida, managing the sites on the beaches of Pinellas County, where I started different initiatives that helped the people of Pinellas, including highlighting dogs in need of adoption with a video series called Adoptables at Risk.

During my break with Patch, I worked in DC as a copywriter creating content for large government bids. I decided to take time to do something that my wife and I really wanted to do, which was to live in another country and help out our soldiers. After spending almost two years overseas, the journalism bug wouldn't stop itching, so I knew it was time to come back to Patch and seek out new and interesting local stories to tell. I hope to able to serve everyone well, and hopefully get to know a few of you too. If you see me out and about, don't hesitate to say hi. There's nothing in this life so urgent that it can't be delayed for a smile and a hello.

If you want to get in touch with me, send me an email at Leigh.armstrong@patch.com.