Ex-WESH reporter Kealing to be Seminole sheriff ’s PIO

Former WESH-Channel 2 reporter Bob Kealing has announced his new job. On Monday, he starts as senior public affairs administrator/public information officer for Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma.

“I’m honored to be the new spokesman for such a professional and progressive law enforcement agency,” Kealing writes on Facebook, where he revealed the new job Wednesday, his 53rd birthday.

In early May, Kealing left the NBC affiliate after nearly 25 years. “Twenty-five years is a line of demarcation,” he said then. “It’s scary any time you try to jump off in a new venture.”

At WESH, Kealing earned five Emmys and shared in two Edward R. Murrow Regional Awards. He reported on the Casey Anthony and George Zimmerman trials and the Pulse nightclub massacre.

Kealing also has gained fame as an author.

“Tupperware Unsealed,” his 2008 book on pioneering businesswoman Brownie Wise, became “Life of the Party” when it was re-released last year.

A movie version remains in development. His most recent book, “Elvis Ignited,” examines Florida’s importance in the career of Elvis Presley.

In an October story about veteran reporters at WESH, Kealing explained why he had stayed so long in Central Florida.

“We’ve all been bitten by the ambition bug and had some very tempting offers,” he said.

“I’ve been able to do things during my career to grow and remain challenged which did not require uprooting myself and my family.”

Kealing said personal issues were a crucial reason for staying here. “With a young family and a great group of friends and neighbors, that only added to the allure of staying in the City Beautiful,” he said. “My family loves it here.”

He and his wife, Karen, have been married 19 years.

Their children are William, 16, and Kristen, 14.