WTOL's Dan Bumpus leaving station
2/22/2011
Dan Bumpus
The 33-year-old, seen weekdays from 4:30 to 7 a.m. as "breaking news anchor," as noon newscast co-anchor along with Melissa Voetsch, and as lead investigative reporter for the Call 11 For Action team, is expanding a real estate investment business he owns with his wife, Shawna.
"It's something we've done for several years now. It's something I really enjoy [and] I just decided it was a good time to really throw myself into that full time," he said. "I'm so excited about the fact that it provides a better flexibility. I get to be my own boss and have my own schedule. It's great for our family. We have a boy, Ben, about to turn 2, and a boy due at the end of April."
Bumpus, who has been at WTOL for eight years, declined the station's two-year contract extension. His final day at the CBS affiliate is Friday.
A native of Oregon, Bumpus is a 1995 graduate of Clay High School, and a 1999 graduate of Bowling Green State University, where he received a bachelor's degree in broadcast journalism. Previously he's worked at affiliates in Traverse City, Mich., Albany, Ga., and, for a time beginning in 2000, at WUPW-TV, Channel 36, as a general assignment reporter.
"I've been in this business since I was in high school," he said. "... It's just such a rapidly changing business and it's different from even when I got into it. I've learned you never say never, but at this point I don't have any plans on returning."
WTOL news director Andi Roman said she was proud of Bumpus for his contributions to Channel 11 and pleased for his new opportunities.
"He's been a great asset and part of the WTOL family for the past eight years," she said. "I'm really excited for him and I'm going to miss him, but I support his decision. He's done great things for our morning show and for Call 11 For Action. He's been an integral part of helping many viewers get their money back."
She said Bumpus will be replaced.
Contact Kirk Baird at kbaird@theblade.com or 419-724-6734.