FRANKLIN—Mitzi Lusk on Friday was promoted to advertising director at The Tidewater News.

An account executive with the thrice-weekly newspaper and Western Tidewater Living magazine since June 2008, Lusk will oversee the display and classified advertising departments.

“I feel honored that they have trusted me with this role,” Lusk said. “I do not take it lightly. My goal is to be able to continue to grow the advertising department and work collectively with our entire staff to give our readers our very best.”

“I’m exited to see what lies ahead not only for me, but The Tidewater News,” she added. “It’s not often one is given the opportunity to work with so many who truly care and put everything they have into their job. We are a team and I’m proud to be part of it.”

Associate Publisher Tony Clark announced Lusk’s promotion.

“I’m proud of Mitzi for putting in the hard work and getting the outstanding results that led to this opportunity, and I’m excited about how our entire organization will benefit from her expanded leadership role,” Clark said.

A native of Virginia Beach, Lusk grew up in a military family and lived in California, Wyoming and Washington state. She graduated from Kempsville High School in Virginia Beach in 1986 and went to cosmetology school and worked in the field for 15 years.

After staying home to raise her two children, the 44-year-old earned her real estate license. Over a period of nine years, she worked for Scott & Associates, Venture Properties and William E. Wood and Associates.

Her husband of 20 years, Jimmy Lusk, is a master electrician and field project engineer. They are the parents of Jake, a sophomore at Paul D. Camp Community College who works for Blackwater Outfitters in Franklin, and Jena Lusk, a junior at Southampton High School.

They live in Sedley.