Ch. 13's Wells is leaving for UT post

WTVG anchor Susan Ross Wells in the Channel 13 studio. Wells will leave the station for a job with the University of Toledo.

Longtime WTVG-TV, Channel 13, anchor Susan Ross Wells is leaving the station after accepting a position as director of health care marketing at the University of Toledo.

Her final day at WTVG is July 30.

Wells joined Channel 13 shortly after Bill Clinton was elected President of the United States as part of the morning newscast's expansion into a half-hour. In addition to mornings, Wells has anchored the noon and 5 p.m. news, and currently co-anchors the 5:30 p.m. newscast with Kristian Brown.

"Honestly what happened is an opportunity came up that was too great to turn down," Wells said about her departure. "The thought of being a member of the University of Toledo team is very exciting for me. I feel like I'm ready for a new challenge. It feels like a new chapter for me, a new adventure.

"I'm so proud of the work I've done here and that we've all done in this almost 20 years. I have met exciting people, told important stories, and am very proud. I just couldn't be more pleased."

Wells, 47, began her broadcasting career at ABC affiliate WMUR-TV in Manchester, N.H., where she worked for two years before leaving to handle public relations for a Boston-area hospital.

Her former general manager at WMUR, David Zamichow, left the station for WTVG, and recruited Wells to join him in Toledo.

"Here I am 20 years later a Toledoan through and through," she said. "This is home in so many ways. It's interesting how things fall into place."

Among her professional highlights at Channel 13, Wells said she is fond of her coverage of Ohioan John Glenn's return to space in 1998, as well as her medical reporting.

"While we are naturally saddened that Susan will no longer be working in our newsroom, we are thrilled she will still be in Toledo and no doubt in contact with her 13abc colleagues," WTVG executive news director Brian Trauring said in a statement.

"This is an exciting opportunity for Susan and we are very proud of her. We know she will take the same sense of dedication and professionalism to the University of Toledo that she has demonstrated for two decades at 13abc.

"Susan is impossible to replace but I am happy to pass along that Lee Conklin will co-anchor the 5:30 p.m. news with Kristian after Susan's departure."

Contact Kirk Baird at kbaird@theblade.com or 419-724-6734.