CLEVELAND — WKYC Channel 3 President and General Manager Micki Byrnes announced today that journalist Romney Smith will join the WKYC team.
“Romney has a natural ability to bring a story to life, stories that really matter to a community. And she works to make those communities a better place after the cameras leave,” said Byrnes. “I’m thrilled to welcome her to the WKYC news team.”
Romney Smith joins WKYC from WTOC in Savannah, Georgia, where she served as an Anchor/Investigative Reporter. Romney played a pivotal role in launching multi-platform digital newscasts for the station as well as helping to re-launch the investigative unit. Romney is best known for her insightful reports on the growing sex trafficking problem in Georgia. She also helped spark a review of the 911 call center protocol after her story about a woman involved in domestic abuse raised questions and concerns.
“Romney will make a difference here in Northeast Ohio,” said Director of Content Adam Miller. “Her storytelling gets to the heart of what matters most. With hopes of enriching viewers’ lives and equipping them with knowledge, Romney’s passion for journalism is evident in her reporting.”
Prior to joining WTOC, Romney was a morning Anchor/Reporter for ActionNewsJax, the CBS/FOX duopoly in Jacksonville, Florida. She played an important role in several big stories including what became known nationally as the “loud music trial” with the shooting of Jordan Davis, the devastating hurricanes Matthew and Irma and Congresswoman Corrine Brown's federal fraud trial.
“TEGNA is a company that values creativity and great journalism,” said Smith. “Channel 3 embodies that, and I look forward to joining this award-winning team. I’m excited to get to know Northeast Ohio, tell your stories, and positively impact Cleveland!"
Romney is a four-time Emmy-nominated journalist, Georgia and Florida Associated Press Broadcasters Award recipient and part of the team that won the 2017 Regional Edward R. Murrow award for Overall Excellence.
Romney began her journalism career at WFXL FOX 31 News in Albany, Georgia. She served in multiple roles including a Multimedia Journalist, Weekend Anchor and Main Anchor/Executive Producer. In 2012 Romney was honored to be included in The Albany Herald’s “Top 40 under 40." While in Albany, Romney won a 2014 Georgia Associated Press award for Best Locally Produced Program Non-News/Sports for producing and anchoring the 30-minute special 'Pursuing Good Health' explaining the Affordable Health Care Law to Southwest Georgians.
Romney fell in love with news growing up in the Atlanta area. She graduated from the University of Richmond and moved to Baltimore where she had a successful career in pharmaceutical sales. However, once she realized she was still "obsessed with news," Romney left big pharma to attend graduate school. She earned a Master’s degree from the University of Maryland's Philip Merrill College of Journalism, switched careers and hasn't looked back. Romney is a member of Investigative Reporters and Editors, National Association of Black Journalists and Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Romney likes to say that her life is a series of news deadlines, working out, traveling, making guacamole, calligraphy, and playing with her senior Yorkshire Terrier named Linney. She is looking forward to making Cleveland her new home with her fiancé.
