Today we’d like to introduce you to Frankie Mclister
Hi Frankie, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My interest in journalism began early, but I credit my high school internship at WJLA-TV in Washington, D.C., where my uncle is a reporter, as pivotal in shaping my career path… I’m from the small town of Middletown, Maryland and either wanted to be a journalist or pilot when I grew up. My senior year in high school, I would drive to the city at least twice a week to intern at WJLA. That’s when I knew I could travel with journalism and a newsroom was where I was meant to be.
Once graduated high school, I attended Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism as I got into ASU’s prestigious Leadership Scholarship Program. While at ASU, I interned with NBC’s TODAY Show, worked at “The Kim Komando Show” and served as a student rep on the Board of Governor for the local chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. I also received a Region 11 “Mark of Excellence” Award from the Society of Professional Journalists for my reporting of the school’s student-led newscast, Cronkite News.
Passionate about diverse cultures, I’ve always enjoyed incorporating Spanish into my reporting, drawing on my nine years of study… and my time living and studying International Business in Seville, Spain, at Universidad Pablo de Olavide during my junior year of college.
Once graduated, I started working as a morning reporter at KVOA-TV in Tucson, Arizona in June 2020 (yes- June 2020!) where everything in the world was happening at once, including southern Arizona’s largest wildfire and the 2020 election. While working mornings, I also was completing my master’s remotely during this time… and helped contribute to the station’s Edward R. Murrow “Overall Excellence” Award received that year.
After my time in Tucson, I made a massive market jump and reported for KTVK/KPHO-TV in Phoenix, where I covered all the happenings in Maricopa County and the COVID-19 pandemic… and was actually the youngest broadcast reporter in the Phoenix DMA. It was a little while into this role when I chose to pivot my career to outside of the newsroom… due to a lot going on in my personal life, and job security at the station at the time.
That’s when I chose my other passion — aviation/travel — and worked in PR/Communications for Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport for a year… then, later moving to Texas to work for American Airlines in Corporate Communications at its HQ in Fort Worth.
What can I say… after three years total… I missed the newsroom! I learned a great deal from “the other side” learning all about the PR side of things, the aviation world, but I also found that I wasn’t a 9-5 “corporate guy”. I wanted to make more impact… and bring my passion and gained skills/knowledge back into the industry where everyone knew me best and knew where I belonged.
So after a year-long search, I’m back! During my search, I prioritized finding good leadership, an ethical, healthy/non-toxic newsroom that genuinely cares about each other and the work that they’re committed to doing. The recruiters with CBS News & Stations couldn’t have been better… and when I visited WCCO — a nationally known newsroom — I knew it was the place for me (especially having my best friend, Danny, from ASU live right in Minneapolis!).
I truly owe it all to the support of my family and mentors who know me best… my parents Tom and Margie… sisters Kelly and Caitlin… cousin Maggie… industry cheer captains… Sean Mooney, Sean McLaughlin, Priscilla Casper, Amanda Gomez, Destiny Quinn, Andrew Melendez, Dr. Bill Silcock, Susan Lisovicz and Vanessa Ruiz. These people stuck through me all throughout my unexpected career pivot… and supported me no matter what. They also encouraged me to find my way back in the newsroom, something I would’ve never encouraged myself to do once having joined the “corporate world”. I owe it ALL to them, and many more.
I couldn’t be happier and more honored to be back in the newsroom and have your trust.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all! If you could’ve told me my senior year in college that I would’ve left the industry… I would’ve thought you were crazy. I learned a lot throughout my change. I learned about myself, how to navigate your path and find fulfillment when things don’t go as expected, and how to grieve, find purpose and follow the heart.
I struggled with being on-air during a breakup that crushed me — happening at the same time that my grandmother passed away. I struggled with slight identity loss after leaving the newsroom… as being a journalist becomes quite a large part of your identity that I take pride in. I struggled with finding the right spot when I wanted to return. But with time, patience, believing, heaven above and the friends, family and support system I’m lucky enough to have… we did it.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m a reporter for WCCO, CBS News Minnesota, . I love covering transportation… planes, trains, automobiles and how the world is connected… I also love covering the under-represented populations (using my Spanish language skills). Additionally, anything immigration-wise, technology, human-interest, environmental and weather are right up my alley. The “feel goods” are my favorite!
I strive to be the same exact person on-air as I am off-air. I don’t change my voice and I’m not ashamed if I’m wearing my bracelet with a cross on it. I truly believe there is more good than bad in the world… and the bad stuff outshines the light because it’s “not normal”. That said, when the media covers something… a lot of times that means it’s not normal! Ex. When we cover a shooting… that’s because a shooting isn’t normal. This can go both ways — good stories and bad. I really strive to explain this to people and try and lead with my heart on a daily basis.
I’ll make time to be friends with the person who is homeless on the light rail… or I’ll make time to be friends with the CEO of Target. We’re all people and I believe that I’m known as a cheer captain and people-person. I’m most proud of how I prioritize others and my ethics as much as possible.
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
This is a good question! Well… I’m a lefty! That always surprises people. I’m also proud of my Irish-Catholic heritage and the 31 first cousins that came along with that (big family!). I’m honored to be the Godfather to my Godson Marshall.
I think many people don’t know I speak Spanish too… and have used this skill when living in Spain, but also having traveled to over 35 countries and 40+ states.
Another surprising fact… as extroverted as I am… I’ve solo-traveled a lot and don’t mind being by myself. I can also touch my tongue to my nose and wiggle my ears haha.
I’d also do anything to talk to my grandfather again. He was the best… and will always be my idol.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.frankiemclister.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/frankiemclister/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FrankieMcLister/
- Twitter: https://x.com/FrankieMcLister
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@frankiemclister44
- Other: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/
