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Via Facebook, former WESH-Channel 2 reporter Bob Kealing has announced his new job.

On Monday, he starts as senior public affairs administrator/PIO 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.

Lemma, also on Facebook, tells Kealing: I can't tell you how excited we all are to have you join the team. You are going to be great in this new role.

Kealing made the announcement on Wednesday, which was his 53rd birthday. In October, I wrote about him and seven other veteran reporters at WESH.

He explained then 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. Ive been able to do things during my career to grow and remain challenged which did not require uprooting myself and my family. Ive reported nationally and internationally for WESH and NBC. Anyone who knows Orlando knows the next major story is never far away. Its a great news town.

Kealing and his wife, Karen, have been married 19 years. Their children are William, 16, and Kristen, 14.

Personal issues were a crucial reason for staying here, Kealing said. 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.

In early May, Kealing left the NBC affiliate after nearly 25 years.

Twenty-five years is a line of demarcation, Kealing told me then. Its 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 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 Floridas importance in the career of Elvis Presley.

Kealing also wrote "Calling Me Home: Gram Parsons and the Roots of Country Rock," which came out in 2012, and "Kerouac in Florida: Where the Road Ends," which was published in 2004.

hboedeker@orlandosentinel.com and 407-420-5756.

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Bob Kealing to become Seminole sheriff's PIO - Orlando Sentinel