Tom Stephenson (Johnsonverse)

Thomas Harland Stephenson, Jr. (b. December 5, 1941) is an American television personality, news anchor, reporter, author, and journalist. He is known for his six-decade-long tenure at Johnson Industries, hosting the long-running WBC World News series since 1995, replacing the late Don George, having been with the WBC television network since its 1968 inception. He has also hosted the NASCAR on WBC broadcasts since 2014, having previously hosted WBC's flag-to-flag telecast of the 1969 Rebel 400 at Darlington Raceway.

Stephenson began his reporting career in 1963, when he joined Johnson to write for the San Jose Times newspaper. In 1968, he was reassigned to the then-fledgling WBC as a reporter, with George personally mentoring him until his 1995 death; during his career, Stephenson also began doing shows on Johnson Radio, and began his long tenure as host of The Stephenson Show.

Early life
Thomas Harland Stephenson, Jr. was born in Brooklyn, New York on December 5, 1941 to accountant Tom Stephenson, Sr., and nurse Emily Stephenson. At the age of nineteen, Stephenson moved to Los Angeles, California to pursue a career in writing. However, he turned to journalism once he was unable to find a publisher, and joined Johnson in 1963.

San Jose Times
In 1963, Stephenson began his career with Johnson as a writer for the San Jose Times. He was reportedly considered for the

WBC
When WBC began airing nationally in 1968, Stephenson was reassigned to the new network,

Personal life
Stephenson has been married to Kaye Stephenson since 1962. They have six children, including WBC reporter Harley, and ten grandchildren.

Politics
Stephenson is a Democrat, and has contributed to various