Anchor Brad Johansen to join WRAL News team in 2018
Brad Johansen, a 21-time Emmy Award winner who’s working in Cincinnati as an anchor and reporter, will join the WRAL News team next spring.
Johansen has been at WKRC-TV in Cincinnati since 1992 and has served in a variety of roles there, including Weekend News Anchor/Reporter, Sports Director and Weekday News Anchor/Reporter. He previously worked in Las Vegas, San Luis Obispo, Calif., Lansing, Mich., and Peoria, Ill.
“Brad is a great addition to our outstanding and experienced team of evening news anchors," said WRAL News Director Rick Gall. "He understands the great opportunities, challenges and responsibilities that come with the job. He’ll bring a passion for storytelling and commitment to excellence. On the anchor desk, you’ll see someone who’s engaging and excels at breaking news."
Johansen's work has been repeatedly recognized by his peers, including 21 Emmy Awards, two National Gracie Awards and a National Communicator Award. Brad and his wife, Colleen, have organized a celebrity golf outing and party that’s raised more than $2 million for charities since 2003.
He is a self-described “sports nut” and has been involved with play-by-play announcing for the Cincinnati Bengals pre-season and Xavier University basketball games in addition to college football, basketball and baseball for CBS Sports Network. In his downtime, he enjoys golf and looks forward to playing in North Carolina.
Johansen grew up in the Chicago suburb of Glen Ellyn, Ill. He completed his undergraduate work in 1984 at Bradley University with a double major in Speech Communications and Broadcast Journalism and a minor in Theater.
Johansen said he is looking forward to joining the WRAL News team and its relentless pursuit of excellence across the station's on-air and digital platforms. Johansen said he and his family are preparing to make North Carolina home.
“I love the beauty of the area, the beaches, the mountains and being in basketball heaven," he said. "What everyone has stressed to me is the warmth of the people here. I’m a big believer in giving back, so I can’t wait to get involved in the community.”
WRAL-TV Vice President and General Manager Steven D. Hammel said, “We have enjoyed getting to know Brad through the interview process. We are fortunate to have someone with the varied experience that Brad has joining us. That experience will complement our existing team and make us that much stronger.”
Johansen starts at WRAL on April 2. He will join David Crabtree, Debra Morgan, Gerald Owens and Kathryn Brown on the WRAL News evening anchor team.
