Kelly Frank Named WTSP News Director

Tegna-owned CBS affiliate WTSP Tampa, Fla. (DMA 13), today appointed Kelly Frank news director, effective June 4. She succeeds Bob Clinkingbeard who left last fall. Jessika Lewis, managing editor, has served in the interim role since.

Frank joins WTSP from WBNS Columbus, Ohio, where she is director of news and digital content and will be stepping down from that position at the end of May. Under Frank’s leadership, the WBNS news team was recognized with numerous awards, including four regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, 32 Emmys,19 Society of Professional Journalists Awards and 32 Associated Press Awards. 

Frank has also held leadership positions in Washington at WGCL Atlanta and CNN. As executive producer, U.S. operations at CNN, she oversaw daily news and special coverage and was part of the team that took home three Peabody Awards for the 2008 election coverage, the 2010 Gulf oil spill and coverage of the Arab Spring.

Frank is a graduate of Kentucky Wesleyan College where she was inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame for her time as a softball pitcher. She also holds a master’s degree in social media from the University of Florida.