Tampa Station Names new 11PM Anchor

WFLA in Tampa has named Jennifer Leigh the new anchor for the station's 11 p.m. newscast. This new role is officially effective January 1, 2015; however, Leigh will fill in for Gayle Sierens while she is on vacation starting immediately.

Leigh also will continue in her current role as anchor for WFLA's 7 p.m. newscast.

“We are delighted to promote Jen to succeed our retiring Gayle Sierens on the 11 p.m. news,” said  WFLA GM Andy Alford. “Jen has been an excellent reporter and anchor for other newscasts at WFLA. She is dedicated to serving the needs of our viewers and to bringing relevant local news and information to our audience across multiple platforms.”

WFLA News Director Bill Berra said, “I am very excited that Jen will be taking on these new, expanded duties of anchoring News Channel 8 at 11. Jen is a strong journalist and tremendous person.

Leigh said, “I am so excited about this new opportunity. Gayle Sierens has been a tremendous colleague, mentor and friend to me for my entire career. It has been a lifelong dream of mine to work alongside her and the entire team at News Channel 8. As Gayle transitions to retirement, I look forward to filling a new role on News Channel 8 at 11. Gayle leaves some big shoes to fill and I'm honored to be part of the bright future at WFLA. It was a dream come true to get hired here back in 1993. Since then, I've had the honor of covering my home community and the people who make it such an amazing place to live.”