Melissa Beckman joined the News Channel 8 team in November 2012.
She first moved to the area in 2006 to work as Bay News 9's Polk County reporter. After five years at the 24-hour station, she spent a year living on the other side of the world. Melissa taught English at a private academy in Seoul, South Korea and enjoyed exploring Asia on her days off.
Melissa began her career as an associate producer, and later a reporter, at WCJB-TV in Gainesville. She also helped launch the news department at the NBC affiliate in Macon, GA and served as the station's local government reporter.
The native Floridian is a proud graduate of the University of Florida's College of Journalism & Communications. She learned all about the business as a reporter and anchor at UF's radio and television stations.
When she's not working, Melissa loves paddling around the Bay, going to gym classes, and cooking. She lives in Tampa with her husband and their spoiled Jack Russell Terrier, Hannah.
