March | 2018 | Rick Gevers & Associates

March 31, 2018

Thursday, April 5, 2018 UPDATE:

There’s a new news director opening at a strong station in the Ohio capital today.

Frank

KELLY FRANK is leaving Dispatch-owned WBNS-TV (the CBS affiliate there) at the end of May after not quite three years as ND. Here’s the memo from GM JOHN CARDENAS (also a former WBNS news director) to the staff.

Kelly told me a few minutes ago that both she and her wife, KATHERINE GREEN, are dealing with ailing mothers and need to be closer to family.

She does have a new job which achieves that goal: it will be announced later this month.

Kelly went to high school in Columbus and was a former all-state athlete in Ohio.

Before WBNS, Kelly worked at WGCL-TV in Atlanta. She spent four years at CNN, and has also worked in Washington, Phoenix, Milwaukee, and at WCMH-TV in Columbus, where she began her career as a producer.

Details on this and all the week’s news in our full report later this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Wednesday, April 4, 2018 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A former multi-market news director turned multi-market general manager has a new job.

Pimentel

MARK PIMENTEL has been named General Manager of KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs. That’s the ABC affiliate there owned by News Press & Gazette. Here’s the news release from the company.

Mark most recently was GM for Meredith’s WGCL-TV in Atlanta, a job he left in January after three years . He’s also been a GM in St. Louis, Louisville, Richmond, Lexington and Huntsville, and a news director in Atlanta, Baltimore. and Charleston, SC.

At KRDO, he replaces another former ND turned GM, TIM LARSON, who left the station last month after eleven years as GM there.

More, as always, in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

We’re a little early this week in deference to the holidays this weekend.

Though…it means once again I was unable to do an April Fool’s edition…perhaps one year…

And while we’re not quite as busy as last week, we have a few ND changes and lots of interesting items in Names in the News.

This week, there are TWO newly named news directors, while the ONE new opening is created by the departure of a many time-multi market ND.

Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 33.

THREE of those jobs are featured among our FOUR paid help wanted ads.

We have an obituary for a former ND who plied his trade in several markets, and we have memorial information for the son of a Cleveland broadcaster who passing we reported last week.

TWO ABC o-and-o’s got new general managers this week, and there are new GMs in TWO other markets, as well.

And…as mentioned…lots of items of note in Names in the News.

All that…and more…below.

Newly Named News Directors:

WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL…LON LUCAS joins this Quincy Media owned NBC/ABC duopoly as news director. He’s most recently been an executive producer for KLAS-TV in Las Vegas, and has also worked in Toledo, Cincinnati, and Baton Rouge. He replaces PERRY BOXX who left a few weeks ago to become news director for WPSD-TV in Paducah, KY, after almost two years as ND.

Broadway

KIDY/KXVA-TV, San Angelo/Abilene, TX…CODY BROADWAY…a native of San Angelo…will be the next ND for these Tegna owned stations. He’s currently working for Tegna’s KUSA-TV in Denver as a ‘visual producer’ for a program called Next with Kyle Clark’. More details in this post from the station’s website.

New News Director Openings:

Maliska

WABG/WXVT/WNBD/WABG-DT, Greenville, MS… GAVIN MALISKA has left these ABC, CBS, NBC and Fox affiliates owned by Cala Broadcast Partners after combining two companies, four stations, and two newsrooms into one facility. Maliska had worked for the Frontier Broadcast companies for six years, with three of those spent as news director in Macon, GA. He’s also been a news director in Panama City Beach, FL, Missoula MT, Orlando and Indianapolis, and has worked in Chicago and Detroit.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

WtvoLogo

News Director, WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL:

WQRF/WTVO-TV in Rockford, IL, (DMA 138) is seeking a news director.

Responsibilities include managing daily on-air and on-line news content; hiring, training, and mentoring producers, reporters and anchors; overseeing special projects and executing day-to-day operations in the newsroom. Excellent time management skills, the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and working within a defined budget are key.

We are looking for someone who knows news, how to motivate and guide a combination of young reporting and producing staff and works well and directs more seasoned anchors. Must espouse a digital-first mentality. We need someone who gets and drives social media, knows the importance of marketing, community involvement, and works well with sales.

A degree in journalism, mass communications or a related field is preferred. Prior newsroom experience in producing, reporting or anchoring is required.

Please email resume and cover letter to VP/GM Kelly Lattimer at klattimer@wtvo.com

WandLogo

Assistant News Director, WAND-TV, Decatur, IL:

WAND-TV (DMA#88) in Decatur, IL has an immediate opening for an Assistant News Director.

We are looking for a candidate with an ardor for local news. The Assistant News Director will need to leverage the staff, stories, contacts, and resources available daily to generate informative and evocative news while making sure the individual pieces reinforce our station’s core philosophies and branding.

WAND-TV’s DMA is a tri-phenated market with dozens of vibrant communities in addition to the three major cities. It is essential to have an Assistant News Director who can communicate efficiently with staff that will often be working in communities across our DMA.

The successful candidate must also fit into the culture we have created at WAND-TV. We are looking for someone who will be a coach and a motivator. It is equally important that they can be a positive force in the newsroom while also pushing our staff to fulfill their potential.

WAND-TV is the perfect place to build a solid career. Decatur is centrally located in a tri-phenated market with the Illinois capital to the west and the world-renowned University of Illinois to the east. The cost of living is low, recently ranked 3rd most affordable city in the country. It has great schools and a low crime rate. Decatur’s central location means it’s a short drive to Chicago, St. Louis or Indianapolis.

Qualified candidates must have experience working as an Assistant News Director, Executive Producer or an equivalent position.

To apply, rush your resume to Morgan Schaab at Morgan.Schaab@wandtv.com

WfsbLogo

News Director, WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT:

WFSB Meredith’s powerhouse CBS affiliate in Hartford Connecticut is looking for its next News Director. This is a dominant station with all the tools and a veteran staff ready to win.

We are seeking an experienced leader, preferably with at least five years newsroom management experience, who is content focused on all platforms. We are looking for someone who will coach and motivate a staff and keep us ahead of the competition.

WFSB serves a hyphenated market, and the ideal candidate must be aware of how to manage the complexities of such. The News Director must be passionate about strong journalism and unafraid to embrace technology.

http://www.meredith.com/viewjobopenings
WaowLogo

News Director, WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI:

See if this sounds better than what you’re doing right now. You get to lead a newsroom loaded with talent at a dominant television station. You get to work for a family owned company who still loves broadcasting and cares deeply about the product and their people. And you get to live in a gorgeous part of the country 10 minutes away from lakes, rivers, snow, golf, a ski resort and more. And we actually believe in a work life balance. (Yes, we do. And you would too if you lived in a place like this!)

Quincy Media’s WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin is looking for an experienced newsroom manager. We need a strong leader with at least five years of experience. We need a great storyteller and someone who lives to make the team around them even stronger. You have to love news. And I mean love it. You have to be a catalyst and a leader in our digital and social efforts and set the tone every day in the newsroom.

If that’s you, this could be one of the best jobs you will ever have.

You will report to the General Manager and you will have the chance to work closely with other department heads to help us reach our next level of success.

If you think you’re qualified, want to work with a great group of people and live in one of America’s best cities, send your link, cover letter, resume and references via email to our GM, Curtis Miles: cmiles@waow.com or via mail to:

Curtis Miles
General Manager
WAOW-TV
1908 Grand Avenue
Wausau, WI 54403

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
WAOW-TV9 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/18/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 3/25/18)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/18/18)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 3/25/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (AM EP, listed 3/18/18)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, listed 3/11/18)

Obituary:

McDaniel

CHRIS McDANIEL, who was a news director in a number of markets with a strong investigative background, died March 24th in Baton Rouge, LA, at the age of 70 after a brief illness. After serving in Vietnam, Chris worked as an investigative journalist while still in college for WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. He later went on to be an ND for stations in North Carolina, Kentucky and Mississippi and possibly others, and worked for CONUS. More details in this obituary.

We have new memorial information for MARK DOMINIC, an engineer for WRTV in Indianapolis and the son of Cleveland broadcaster VIRGIL DOMINIC. We told you last week that Mark died of a heart attack. Here’s the link to the memorial information.

Names in the News (and other items):

WTMO-TV, the Telemundo station in Orlando, laid off a number of people this week, including the general manager and news director GILBERTO COMPANIONI. Media Moves has more here.

Chastain

Variety reports that NBC has fired longtime affiliate marketing chief SCOT CHASTAIN after allegations of misconduct.

The Austin Statesman looks at the growth of Spectrum News, the city’s 24 hour cable news operation, whose live newscasts sometimes beat the broadcast competitors.

Thompson

Congratulations to MARSHA THOMPSON who retired on Friday after 47 years in the Jackson, MS, market, including a stint as ND for WLBT-TV in the late 80’s. Most of her time there was as an anchor. She also worked in Atlanta.

ROB SCHUNN returns to KWCH-TV (Wichita/CBS/Gray Television) as Managing Editor. He spent 23+ years here as a photojournalist before leaving in 2015 to take a fundraising job at his alma mater (Bethel College.)

WKOW-TV in Madison, WI, reached into the company’s ranks and hired JAYMES LANGREHR as its new executive producer. He’s been producing newscasts at sister station WKBT-TV in La Crosse, WI, since 2010.

Apologies to LINDSAY WALTERS whose name I misspelled last week in reporting her move to KTNV-TV in Las Vegas as morning executive producer.

General Manager News and Notes:

TWO ABC owned stations got new general managers this week.

O’Connell

DEBRA O’CONNELL got the nod at WABC-TV in New York, replacing DAVE DAVIS. She’s a 20 year veteran of the company and, earlier in her career, was VP/Marketing for WABC. More in this post from the WABC website. And while it may not be job one, certainly high on her ‘to-do’ list will be to find a new news director to replace CAMILLE EDWARDS who left the station earlier this month after more than five years as ND.

Cibrowski

And in San Francisco, a surprise choice as TOM CIBROWSKI will be the next GM at KGO-TV. Details here. He’s spent 25 years at ABC News, with a two year break in the middle when he worked as a Senior Producer for CBS This Morning. He is currently Senior VP of Content, News Coverage and Special Events. To the best of my knowledge, he’s never worked at a local TV station.

In Green Bay, Scripps has named JOE ANTONELLI GM of WGBA/WACY-TV, the NBC and My Network affiliates there. He’s been the sales manager for WFTX-TV, Scripps’ FOX affiliate in Ft. Myers.

Sinclair has promoted JENNIFER RIEFFER to GM of its FOX affiliate in Lexington, KY, WDKY-TV. She’s a 20 year veteran of the station and has been sales manager since 2013.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Saturday, March 31, 2018:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

WABC-TV 7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023
WBBM-TV 22 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KDEN-TV 2727 Bryant St. Denver, CO, 80211 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WFSB-TV 333 Capital Blvd. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (see ad above!)
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WHAS-TV 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201
WLBT/WDBD-TV 715 South Jefferson Street Jackson, MS 39201
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403 (see ad above!)
WTVO/WQRF-TV P.O. Box 470 Rockford, IL 61105 (see ad above!)
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901 (see ad above!)
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
WABG-TV 849 Washington Ave. Greenville MS 38701

**: Spanish language station

March 25, 2018

Greetings:

It’s possible this is the longest newsletter in our 22+ years of publication.

There are NINE new news director openings…TWO at network owned stations in the top THREE markets. (Ironically, neither of those stations have a GM currently, meaning the ND jobs will likely be open for a while.)

There are FIVE newly named news directors, leaving 33 stations with ND openings.

We have SEVEN paid help wanted ads, FOUR for news director jobs.

There are, sadly, THREE obituaries, TWO of them for immediate family members of legendary industry figures.

And we have several GM changes and MANY interesting items in Names in the News. Please be sure to check that out.

With that introduction, please read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Minnaugh

WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL…in the first of THREE UPDATES we brought you this week, we reported that RYAN MINNAUGH would be the next ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. More in the news release. Not mentioned there is the reunion between WFLA GM SKIP VALET and Ryan…they held the same jobs at WTKR-TV in Norfolk where Ryan had been ND since late 2015. He’s also worked in Cleveland, Denver and Indianapolis and for CNBC. Ryan replaces veteran ND BILL BERRA who is retiring.

Kiernan

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI…we told you on Thursday that JEFF KIERNAN was leaving Chicago’s WBBM-TV and returning to WTMJ as ND. Here’s the news release and the view from longtime Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER. Jeff’s been ND here for nine years, was previously the ND for CBS o-and-o’s in Boston and Minneapolis, but his first ND job was at WTMJ. He replaces JANET HUNDLEY who left this Scripps owned NBC affiliate in December after 3 1/2 years as ND.

Head

WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL…PASCALE HEAD will be the next ND for this Cox owned CBS/FOX duopoly. Details here, including her responsibilities over Cox’s radio operation there. She’s worked here for almost ten years, first as Managing Editor and, for the last 4+ years, Senior Executive Producer. She’s also worked for another Jacksonville station. Pascale replaces the man who promoted her, BOB LONGO, who was promoted to GM three months ago after four years as ND.

Schaab

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL…MORGAN SCHAAB has been promoted to news director for this Block Communications owned NBC affiliate. Morgan first joined the station as an producer in 2008, has been both Assistant ND and Managing Editor and EP. She did spent two years in the middle of her time at WAND as a Community Manager for the American Cancer Society. She replaces AARON VOGEL who’s left the station after just more than a year as ND.

Bradshaw

KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX…ADAM BRADSHAW starts tomorrow as the new news director for this Nexstar operated NBC/FOX duopoly. Adam most recently was the ND for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas, a job he left in October, 2015, after nine years. He’s also been an ND in Salt Lake City and Rochester, NY, and has worked in Los Angeles, San Diego and for another Las Vegas station. Adam replaces DOUG BILYEU who’d anchored at the station for 20 years and had been the ND for eight years, who is taking a job out of news.

New News Director Openings:

Edwards

WABC-TV, New York, NY…the long rumored departure of CAMILLE EDWARDS finally happened earlier this week. She had been on leave since the end of the year. The New York Post’s Page Six has more details on the circumstances behind her departure. She was ND here for 5+ years and also was an ND for NBC owned stations in Chicago and Washington. Camille earlier had worked for ABC o-and-o’s in Chicago and Philadelphia. Other career stops included Baltimore and Toledo.

WBBM-TV, Chicago, IL…perhaps the biggest surprise of the week was JEFF KIERNAN’s return to Milwaukee after nine years at this CBS o-and-o. We have many more details on his move above.

Sanchez

KDEN-TV, Denver, CO…ALFREDO SANCHEZ is leaving this Telemundo operation to head to academia. Beginning in the fall, he’ll join the faculty at Metropolitan State University in Denver as a tenure track professor. Alfredo joined the station last May and previously worked for Telemundo in Dallas.

Neves

WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT…in one of two ND to GM moves this week, congratulations to DANA NEVES who gets the big chair at this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. She’s been ND here for 12 years but began at the station as an intern in 1995. She worked her way up the ranks to assignment manager, managing editor and assistant news director. Dana replaces KLARN DePALMA who was promoted to Executive Vice President of MNI Targeted Media, a Meredith company. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.

WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA…you learned above that RYAN MINNAUGH was off to Tampa to be the next ND for Nexstar’s WFLA-TV, the NBC affiliate there. Ryan was ND at this Tribune owned CBS affiliate for just over two years.

Seals

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY…this Tegna owned ABC affiliate is advertising for a new news director. DAVID SEALS had held that position for the last four years.

Little

WIS-TV, Columbia, SC…MARK LITTLE resigned on Friday as the ND for this Raycom Media owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the note he sent his staff. Mark told me via email that he is ‘looking forward to what’s next’. He spent almost two years as ND here, and 14 years as ND for Raycom’s KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, MO, where he first joined that CBS affiliate as the assignment editor. He’s also worked in St. Louis.

Weeks

WLBT/WDBD-TV, Jackson, MS…in the second of TWO ND to GM moves this week, hats off to HATTON WEEKS who’s been promoted to GM for sister Raycom Media station KAIT-TV (ABC) in Jonesboro, AR. He spent eight years as ND at KAIT before moving to this NBC/FOX duopoly three years ago. Here’s the memo from Raycom’s Regional Group VP TIM INGRAM which has more details about Hatton’s background.

Petersen

KOTA/KEVN-TV, Rapid City, SD…Rapid City native JOHN PETERSEN will retire next month after 24 years as ND for this Gray TV owned ABC affiliate. He began in the market 40 years ago as a reporter Here’s his bio from the station website, and here’s the note he sent to his fellow Gray TV news directors. John’s also worked in Denver and in Flint/Saginaw, MI.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

WfsbLogo

News Director, WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT:

WFSB Meredith’s powerhouse CBS affiliate in Hartford Connecticut is looking for its next News Director. This is a dominant station with all the tools and a veteran staff ready to win.

http://www.meredith.com/viewjobopenings
WaowLogo

News Director, WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI:

If that’s you, this could be one of the best jobs you will ever have.

You will report to the General Manager and you will have the chance to work closely with other department heads to help us reach our next level of success.

Curtis Miles
General Manager
WAOW-TV
1908 Grand Avenue
Wausau, WI 54403

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
WAOW-TV9 is an Equal Opportunity Employer

News Director, WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA:

WFXR, WWCW and VirginiaFirst.com in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia (Market 70) is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news judgment, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best.
The market has great local diversity with healthcare, education, agriculture and tourism all playing significant roles in the economy. Our community hosts and is surrounded by over 20 institutions of higher learning that range from renowned liberal arts colleges to Virginia Tech. In addition, the market is an outdoors and sports enthusiasts dream come true. Nestled just south of Skyline Drive, 3 hours from Washington DC in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains this area offers a fantastic quality of life for all.

We are seeking a leader with a proven track record of team, product, content and community growth leading to ratings growth.

Click here to learn more about the requirements for this position.

This is a tremendous opportunity to join one of the fastest growing broadcast and digital companies in the industry while leading the successful growth of a talented team of journalists.

Interested candidates apply by sending email to mtaylor@virginiafirst.com and by completing our online application which is here.

WFXR WWCW and Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WETM Logo

News Director, WETM-TV, Elmira, NY:

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. is looking for a News Director with a history of success to lead its broadcast and digital news operation in Elmira, NY.

This is an opportunity to lead a very dominant news station in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. WETM-18 is the market leader, consistently producing 80 shares in news. In addition to our downtown Elmira main studio, we have a satellite studio in downtown Corning. We host congressional and state senate debates, as well as numerous other local projects throughout the year. We are not satisfied with an 80% share, and we continue to work aggressively to grow our audience share and length of viewing, as well as driving growth to our website, the top media website in the region, www.mytwintiers.com.

This position requires someone who is aggressive and excited about local news on-air and online, is out to win and will not accept any other option, is adept at leading and inspiring others to perform — and someone who is extremely organized to manage the myriad details required to keep the team organized and focused, to manage budget, and to ensure station compliance with rules and regulations applicable to FCC, local, state and federal laws.

If you are interested please forward your resume and a short biography regarding your professional history to Marci Daniels, VP and General Manager, Nexstar Broadcasting, 101 E. Water St., Elmira, NY 14901, or email to marcidaniels@wetmtv.com.

Or Apply here!

SpectrumLogo

Assistant News Director, Spectrum News, Los Angeles:

Spectrum News Los Angeles is looking for an Assistant News Director to be responsible for planning, development and production of all news programming, and provide day-to-day management of the newsroom; Participates in coordinating coverage of major stories, breaking news and specials; Guides the development of coverage plans, including anticipating special news or sports events, ensuring comprehensive, well-rounded coverage.

Spectrum Networks is looking for passionate, talented and driven individuals with an eagerness to join the best and most dedicated in gathering, producing and delivering stories that make a difference within a 24-hour breaking news environment. Our commitment is to engage viewers with relevant and timely news that is important to the local communities we serve.

Spectrum Networks is a growing organization, home of 27 Local News Channels nationwide and 9 Local/Regional Sports Channels, inclusive of 3 Los Angeles based Sports Networks. Spectrum Networks is the news and sports division of Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR), the leading broadband communications company and the second-largest cable operator in the United States.

Apply online by clicking here.

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

Would you like to be a leader in a news operation with a commitment to excellence and the resources you need to succeed?

WRAL, the dominant television station in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville market, is seeking a strong Morning Executive Producer to oversee the presentation and look of WRAL’s 4 ½ hours of morning news. We’re looking for a leader who will coach the producing staff, write and approve scripts, review topical and image promotion, enhance weather and traffic content, and contribute to special coverage.

The ideal candidate will find new ways of presenting digital content in our newscasts while working closely with our graphics, promotion, and news management teams. We are looking for a person with outstanding communication skills, superb news judgment who excels at breaking news and continuous coverage, and has an eye for details.

If you have a vision for graphics and a passion for memorable, creative and topnotch newscasts, this is the job for you. A proven track record demonstrating ratings growth is essential. WRAL is locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a community-oriented company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.

Requirements include five years of experience in producing newscasts, two years of news management experience and a four-year college degree.

A pre-employment drug screening is required.

All candidates must apply online.

EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free.
Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Morning Executive Producer, KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:

KSTU Fox 13, the Fox affiliate in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, is looking for a creative, dynamic and experienced broadcast journalist to oversee our top-rated morning newscast.

The morning Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who knows how to win breaking news on all platforms, maintain a strong sense of urgency with our newscast production and newsroom culture, and knows how to balance serious journalism with lighter moments critical to the success of our morning news.

This position will involve training and mentoring younger journalists while also collaborating with some of the most experienced television news personalities in the market.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT: tribunemedia.com/careers and enter job #2018-47120 under keyword search.

KSTU is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted this week)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (relisted 1/18/18)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (AM EP, listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, listed 3/11/18)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)

Obituaries:

I’m very sorry to report the deaths of close family members of two legendary industry figures.

Primo

ROSINA PRIMO, wife of former news director and consultant AL PRIMO, died this week at the age of 86. She had been in failing health. More details about her life and family are contained in this obituary. Many of you know (or know of) Al, who created Eyewitness News, worked as an ND in Philadelphia and New York, was VP/News for ABC, starteded his own consulting company, and created a syndicated TV program, Teen Kids News, which runs in over 200 markets. A kind note of sympathy reaches Al at primonews@aol.com

Dominic

MARK DOMINIC, son of Cleveland titan VIRGIL DOMINIC, died two weeks ago of a heart attack. He was 49 and worked as a technician at WRTV in Indianapolis. More here. A memorial fund in Mark’s name has been established by the station with the American Heart Association. Click here to learn more and donate. Virgil’s a legend in Cleveland, where he’s been an anchor, news director, and general manager. Your kind note to Virgil can be sent to: virgildominic@aol.com

Finally, LAWRENCE GROSSMAN, former President of both NBC News and PBS, died Friday at the age of 86. The New York Times always does a thorough obit on noteworthy figures, and here’s its coverage of Grossman’s death.

Names in the News (and other items):

Faye

KATIE McMANUS FAYE has been named News Manager for Sinclair’s WTGS-TV in Savannah, the FOX affiliate there. She’ll oversee the day-to-day newsroom operations and report to VICTORIA SPECHKO who’s the ND for sister-station WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC. Katie’s worked for Sinclair before (in Illinois), has been an ND in several markets, and has also worked in Nashville, Miami (two stations), Tampa, and Dallas.

LINDSAY WALTERS joins KTNV-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Las Vegas as the morning executive producer. She’s been working in Washington and has previously worked in Seattle and Phoenix.

STAN TURNER who was both news director and anchor for Minneapolis station KSTP-TV is losing his current gig as a radio show host…because his station is going dark. Read all about it here!

After 46 years, ROCKY GLISSON is retiring from Tampa’s WFLA-TV. He’s been a reporter, chief photographer, and assignment editor, and to read this story, a bit of a character as well.

Lord

The New York Times printed a compelling story by retired general manager, news director, and network correspondent BILL LORD on his days as an infantry sergeant in Vietnam. In this story, well worth your time, he pays tribute to the helicopter pilots with whom he flew…both in Vietnam and later when they flew for TV stations where Bill worked.

Priddy

One-time Missourinet radio news director BOB PRIDDY (and two-time RTDNA chair) BOB PRIDDY is being inducted in the Missouri Broadcasters Hall of Fame in June. Bob spent 40 years as ND for Missourinet before retiring in 2014. He’s also written six books, most on Missouri history, is currently president of the Missouri Historical Society, and is an avid auto racing fan.

Noory

Former St. Louis and Minneapolis News Director GEORGE NOORY was among 22 people inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame. If the name sounds familiar, you may know his nationally broadcast overnight talk show, Coast to Coast AM. (Full disclosure: while ND at KSDK-TV in St. Louis, in 1982 George eliminated my job as Executive Producer-Operations.)

General Manager News and Notes:

KHOU-TV (Tegna/Houston/CBS) General Manager SUSAN McELDOON is retiring, a move delayed by the flood damage suffered by the station last year.

Meredith

LEE MEREDITH, a former ND turned GM, is also retiring as GM of Raycom’s WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. He’s been a GM in Memphis, Huntsville, and Columbia, SC, and a news director in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Chattanooga. Details here.

In addition to the GM move at WFSB-TV in Hartford reported above, Meredith also promoted JOHN HESSLEIN to GM for WHSM-TV in Springfield, MA. John has worked there for more than 13 years as the Station Manager and General Sales Manager.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 25, 2018:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

WABC-TV 7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023
WBBM-TV 22 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KDEN-TV 2727 Bryant St. Denver, CO, 80211 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WFSB-TV 333 Capital Blvd. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (see ad above!)
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WHAS-TV 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019 (see ad above!)
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201
WLBT/WDBD-TV 715 South Jefferson Street Jackson, MS 39201
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403 (see ad above!)
WTVO/WQRF-TV P.O. Box 470 Rockford, IL 61105
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901 (see ad above!)
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301

**: Spanish language station

March 18, 2018

Thursday, March 22, 2018 UPDATE #2:

If it’s the second UPDATE of the same day, you know it’s a big story.

You be the judge.

Kiernan

JEFF KIERNAN is returning to WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee as Senior Director of Local Content. (You and I might call that news director.) The full story is here.

As you know, Jeff is currently the news director for WBBM-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Chicago…a job he’s held since 2009. But his first ND job was at WTMJ. And he’s a graduate of Milwaukee’s Marquette University.

After leaving WTMJ in 2003, he spent four years as ND for CBS’s WCCO-TV in Minneapolis, just less than two years as CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston, before moving to Chicago nine years ago. (Jeff is from the greater Chicago area.)

Of note…his GM at WBBM, MARTY WILKE, surprised many by announcing her retirement last week. Her last day is tomorrow.

At WTMJ, Jeff replaces JANET HUNDLEY who left this Scripps owned NBC affiliate at the end of 2017.

A really full newsletter awaits you this weekend!

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Thursday, March 22, 2018 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Another day, another news director moving to the GM chair.

Neves

Today it’s DANA NEVES, the long time (well, at least since 2006) news director for Meredith’s WFSB-TV (CBS) in Hartford. Here’s the news release with more details.

Ever heard the phrase: “Be nice to the intern. You might end up working for him/her.”?

True in this case…Dana began at the station as an intern in 1995, and worked her way up to assignment manager, managing editor and assistant news director before being named ND 12 years ago.

Dana replaces KLARN DePALMA who was promoted to Executive Vice President of MNI Targeted Media.

As you know from yesterday’s UPDATE, it’s been a busy week. We’ll recap these items…and many more…in our full report this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Wednesday, March 21, 2018 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Lots of activity today.

Minnaugh

The largest market news involves WFLA-TV’s (Nexstar/NBC) ND job in Tampa, which will be filled by RYAN MINNAUGH, currently ND for Tribune’s WTKR-TV in Norfolk. And guess who his GM was at WTKR? Why, it was SKIP VALET, now GM at WFLA. Here’s the news release.

Ryan’s been ND at WTKR for three years, and has also worked in Cleveland, Denver, Indianapolis, and CNBC. He’s replacing longtime ND BILL BERRA who is retiring next week.

Congratulations to a news director moving into a GM chair.

Weeks

WLBT/WDBD-TV (Jackson, MS) ND HATTON WEEKS returns to KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR as GM. He was the ND at KAIT for eight years before moving to Jackson three years ago. Here’s the staff memo. Both stations are owned by Raycom Media.

Quick hits:

Speaking of Raycom, LEE MEREDITH, GM of the company’s WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge, has announced his retirement, as has SUSAN McELDOON, GM for Tegna’s KHOU-TV in Houston. Both stations are CBS affiliates.

Edwards

The long expected departure of CAMILLE EDWARDS as ND for WABC-TV in New York finally happened. More here.

WHAS-TV in Louisville is advertising for a new news director. DAVID SEALLS had been the ND for this Tegna owned ABC affiliate for almost four years.

Head

PASCALE HEAD has been promoted to news director for WJAX/WFOX-TV in Jacksonville, FL. That’s the Cox Media owned CBS/FOX duopoly there.

Bradshaw

And veteran ND ADAM BRADSHAW heads to KFDX/KJTL-TV (Nexstar) in Wichita Fallas, TX, as ND.

More on all these stories (and much more) in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****

Greetings:

I hope that your NCAA Bracket is in better shape than mine, though, given some of the upsets, I’m guessing that no one’s bracket is in great shape.

In better shape (REALLY stretching here) is this week’s newsletter, with TWO new news director openings, bringing our count of open jobs to 28. (To my knowledge, there were NO news directors hired this week….please let me know if I’ve missed anything.)

THREE of those openings are among our SEVEN paid help wanted ads this week, along with ads for a corporate news position at a major broadcaster and THREE ads for news management openings in a variety of market sizes.

There are TWO obituaries for longtime broadcasters, including one who spent almost 50 years working in Atlanta. Just ONE Name in the News, though we have details on the retirement of TWO General Managers (one a longtime newsman), and details about the appointment of a new GM in Las Vegas.

Newly Named News Directors:

To the best of my knowledge, there were NO news directors hired this week.

There will be at least ONE named in the week ahead, and we’ll have that for your in our next full newsletter next weekend.

New News Director Openings:

Picken

WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL…SCOTT PICKEN has resigned as news director for this Nexstar/Mission Broadcasting ABC/FOX operation. He’s been the ND here since September, 2012. He’s been a News Director in Rockford (twice), Boise, ID twice, Cedar Rapids, IA, Omaha, NE and Honolulu, HI, and has also worked in Kansas City and Green Bay.

Greg S.

KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID…GREG SCHIEFERSTEIN has left this NBC affiliate (owned by Idaho Broadcast Partners) after not quite two years on the job, his second time as ND here. Greg’s also been a news director in Peoria, Augusta, GA, and Missoula, MT and has worked in Seattle, Toledo and Rockford, IL.

Please note there are ads for THREE news director openings in our Paid Help Wanted Ads section below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA:

We are seeking a leader with a proven track record of team, product, content and community growth leading to ratings growth.

Click here to learn more about the requirements for this position.

This is a tremendous opportunity to join one of the fastest growing broadcast and digital companies in the industry while leading the successful growth of a talented team of journalists.

Interested candidates apply by sending email to mtaylor@virginiafirst.com and by completing our online application which is here.

WFXR WWCW and Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

WETM Logo

News Director, WETM-TV, Elmira, NY:

Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. is looking for a News Director with a history of success to lead its broadcast and digital news operation in Elmira, NY.

Or Apply here!

SpectrumLogo

Assistant News Director, Spectrum News, Los Angeles:

Apply online by clicking here.

Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

Would you like to be a leader in a news operation with a commitment to excellence and the resources you need to succeed?

Requirements include five years of experience in producing newscasts, two years of news management experience and a four-year college degree.

A pre-employment drug screening is required.

All candidates must apply online.

EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free.
Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Morning Executive Producer, KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:

KSTU Fox 13, the Fox affiliate in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, is looking for a creative, dynamic and experienced broadcast journalist to oversee our top-rated morning newscast.

This position will involve training and mentoring younger journalists while also collaborating with some of the most experienced television news personalities in the market.

PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT: tribunemedia.com/careers and enter job #2018-47120 under keyword search.

KSTU is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.

Director, Local Content Development, Nexstar Broadcasting:

Nexstar Broadcasting is seeking an accomplished news manager to help lead local content initiatives across the group and complement a dynamic Corporate Content team.

The position of Director of Local Content Development will work with our growing group of stations to advance our strong multi-platform approach by providing leadership with our broadcast news products, web and mobile content initiatives, and in social media engagement. Position will work closely with the rest of the Operations team to build on our Company’s approach to “Local” while working with our Senior Management on projects, brand development and market evaluations. Content is the key to drive “Local” and the development of group wide content initiatives to grow ratings and revenue is essential across all local markets.

At Nexstar, we have a dynamic group that believes in the quality of our local product. We’re looking for someone who understands local television and how to be successful at it and is not afraid to get it done.

If you are looking for a job that doesn’t involve travel, this is not the job for you. Ideal candidate should have at minimum 5 years of News Management experience.

To apply, just click here.
KmvtLogo

News Director, KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID:

KMVT is the dominant news source for Twin Falls, Central Idaho and the Wood River Valley. Twin Falls offers great scenic views and diverse recreation opportunities. Year-round in Idaho brings the opportunity for outdoor sports, and our station is close to World Class skiing, fishing, biking, hiking and kayaking.

KMVT, the premiere CBS, FOX and CW Affiliates in Twin Falls, Idaho seeks a news leader who loves news, loves to teach, loves to produce and loves to innovate. Must have a strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, understand sound journalistic principles, oversee all content gathering and presentation in a visual and viewer-oriented storytelling style.

The News Director is responsible for planning big event coverage such as elections, parades, and rodeos, as well as daily duties for the MMJ team, those duties include:

* The management of editorial flow, assigning MMJs, photojournalists, for daily coverage.
* Supervise and schedule personnel.
* Review content on all platforms for journalistic balance.
* Participate with station staff in the development of local issue and event coverage plans.
* Work closely with the staff to distribute content on all platforms.
* Knowledge and proficiency in posting content to websites and social media.
* Knowledge and proficiency in the use of social media to enhance newsgathering and customer engagement.

Applicants should have at least 2 years of newsroom management experience, and a 4-year college degree is preferred.

Click here to apply.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (relisted 1/28/18)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/21/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, relisted this week)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, relisted 1/21/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 1/21/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, listed 3/11/18)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)

Obituaries:

Franklin

Longtime Atlanta newsman GARY FRANKLIN died Wednesday at the age of 75. He’d been battling lung cancer. In a career that ranged about 50 years, much of it spent with WXIA-TV, Gary held a variety of positions, ranging from writer to photographer to reporter to producer. When he retired from WXIA in 2016, he was the station’s overnight assignment editor. The station remembered him in this story.

Loewen

RON LOEWEN died (also on Wednesday) at the age of 70. His TV career began at KAKE-TV in Wichita where he held a variety of positions, including in house legal counsel, news director, and station manager. He later joined Cosmos Broadcasting (later Liberty Broadcasting) as a GM in Lake Charles and Columbia, SC. Ron then moved to corporate, then President of Liberty Life Insurance, before returning to broadcasting. He also worked at KRON-TV in San Francisco. (Personal note: Ron was one of the smartest and funniest people I knew.) More about his life and accomplishments in this obituary.

Names in the News (and other items):

Williams

APRIL WILLIAMS, a veteran of the Washington market, joins her FIFTH DC news operation as she becomes executive producer at Fox o-and-o WTTG-TV. She’d spent the last ten years at WRC-TV, the NBC o-and-o there, most recently as Senior Producer. April has also worked at WUSA-TV, WJLA-TV, and NewsChannel 8, as well as in Raleigh and Boston.

General Manager News and Notes:

Wilke

MARTY WILKE surprised many with her announcement this week that she’d be retiring as General Manager of CBS o-and-o WBBM-TV in Chicago. Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER has more. Marty’s last day will be next Friday. She spent six years as GM of WBBM, and 16 years at Chicago’s WGN-TV, the last four as GM before moving across town to WBBM.

Stutz

News director turned corporate executive turned GM MIKE STUTZ is retiring as GM of News Press and Gazette’s operations in Palm Springs, CA. With one click here, you can read both Mike’s note to the staff and the email from corporate to the troops. Mike first joined NPG as Director of News and was promoted to GM in 2011. He’s been an ND in San Diego and Jacksonville, FL, and worked in Denver, St. Louis and Milwaukee. One of the good guys in the business, you can wish him well via an email to: michael_stutz@cox.net

LARRY STRUMWASSER will be the new general manager for Sinclair’s KSNV/KCVW-TV (NBC and CW) is Las Vegas. He’s been the GM for Sinclair’s Milwaukee duopoly, and replaces AUDRA SWAIN who left last September to become GM for CBS’s WJZ-TV in Baltimore.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 18, 2018:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S. Parker St. Tampa FL 33606
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTMJ-TV 720 E Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WJAX/WFOX 11700 Central Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32224
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019 (see ad above!)
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
WTVO/WQRF-TV P.O. Box 470 Rockford, IL 61105
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901 (see ad above!)
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301 (see ad above!)

**: Spanish language station

March 11, 2018

Greetings:

FIVE newly hired news directors lead this week’s report, including one at a network owned station in the number one market. And we have THREE new ND openings, the biggest of which is in a top 10 market.

We now have 24 stations on our list of open news director jobs. TWO of those openings are among our FOUR paid help wanted ads, and we have ads for a corporate news position with a major group broadcaster…and an EP opening in Denver.

We welcome the return of WeatherMetrics as an advertiser. Be sure to visit their booth at NAB.

Our Names in the News features retirements of TWO longtime news executives, one a former local ND turned network ombudsman. Lots of General Manager comings and goings, too, including the retirement of a former several-market ND turned GM.

Newly Named News Directors:

Morris

WNBC-TV, New York, NY…our emailed UPDATE on Wednesday brought the news of AMY MORRIS’s move to this NBC o-and-o. She’s been the Assistant ND at ABC o-and-o WPVI-TV in Philadelphia, and has earlier been an EP at ABC owned stations in New York and Chicago. Amy also served as an ND in Roanoke between her ABC jobs. She’ll replace SUSAN SULLIVAN who’s moving to a role in the standards and practices unit at NBC News.

Oliveira

WSOC-TV, Charlotte, NC…we shared with you on Friday that MIKE OLIVEIRA is moving within Cox to become ND for this ABC affiliate. Mike…who’s a Boston native…has been the ND at the company’s WFXT-TV since August, 2016. He previously spent ten years at the company’s WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh, the last 3 1/2 years as the news director. He earlier worked for another Boston station and in Syracuse. Mike replaces another veteran Cox employee, JULIE SZULCZEWSKI who was ND here for seven years.

Maestas

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM…this Hubbard owned NBC affiliate has hired market veteran TIM MAESTAS as its next news director. He’s currently producing at WREG-TV in Memphis (a move made for his wife’s career), but previously reported and anchored at another Albuquerque station. His ND there, MICHELLE DONALDSON, is now the GM at KOB and hired Tim to fill the vacancy created by her recent promotion to GM. Tim’s also worked in Portland, OR.

WFFF-TV, Burlington, VT…veteran news director BOB ROCKSTROH moves within Nexstar to become ND for this FOX affiliate. Bob’s been the ND at WETM-TV in Elmira, NY since November, 2013 and has previously run newsrooms in Providence, Hartford, and Ft. Wayne. He’s also worked for FIOS1 in New York, San Francisco, Minneapolis, and San Diego. Bob replaces MARK ROSEN who left last month for the ND job at at WTVM-TV in Columbus, GA (Mark’s a Georgia native).

Bates

KIVI-TV, Boise, ID…J BATES (no, that’s not a typo and no, I don’t know if it stands for anything) has been promoted to ND for this Scripps/ABC affiliate. He’s been the digital director there, moving to that role in 2015 from an on-air position. He started in TV as a sports reporter and anchor, as you’ll see here. J replaces GRENDEL LEVY who left in February after four years as ND for the same job at WOWK-TV in Charleston/Huntington WV.

New News Director Openings:

WFXT-TV, Boston, MA…see above…this opening was created by MIKE OLIVEIRA’s move to Cox’s WSOC-TV in Charlotte. Mike was ND here about 18 months.

Tompkins

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…ROB TOMPKINS has left this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate after about 2 1/2 years as news director. He’s held a number of jobs in and out of our business, as his Linkedin page details.

WETM-TV, Elmira, NY…we told you above that BOB ROCKSTROH was transferring to Nexstar’s WFFF-TV in Burlington as ND. He was ND here for more than four years.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Director, Local Content Development, Nexstar Broadcasting:

Nexstar Broadcasting is seeking an accomplished news manager to help lead local content initiatives across the group and complement a dynamic Corporate Content team.

If you are looking for a job that doesn’t involve travel, this is not the job for you. Ideal candidate should have at minimum 5 years of News Management experience.

To apply, just click here.
KmvtLogo

News Director, KMVT-TV, Twin Falls, ID:

The News Director is responsible for planning big event coverage such as elections, parades, and rodeos, as well as daily duties for the MMJ team, those duties include:

Applicants should have at least 2 years of newsroom management experience, and a 4-year college degree is preferred.

Click here to apply.

WeekLogo

News Director, WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL:

WEEK / HOI ABC in Peoria-Bloomington, Illinois, a Quincy Media owned operation, has an exciting opening for an experienced News Director. For over 30 years WEEK has been the dominant local news source in Central Illinois and has recently re-launched our ABC channel as well, Over the last two years, we have built all new HD facilities for both the NBC and ABC sides with separate studios, state-of-the-art news sets, graphics and control rooms to provide uniquely branded award-winning news across two major affiliate platforms. All of that, in a brand new fully remodelled newsroom and facility.

We need an experienced enthusiastic leader of real journalists dedicated to high-quality, market-leading news and weather on air and every platform. We have the people, the tools and the venue. All that’s missing is the right person to lead that charge! If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead not one, but two of the best local broadcast news operation in the midwest we want to talk to you.

Come join the Quincy Media team in a city centrally located along the Illinois River, just a short drive from Chicago, St Louis and Indianapolis.

Quincy Media is a family owned company now operating 18 stations producing news covering 11 states.

Applicants should apply on line: just click here.

KdvrLogo

Executive Producer, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:

Are you a show doctor who oversees a newscast filled with urgent, impactful news?

Do you LOVE to win the day, every day, on all platforms?

Are you looking for an opportunity to take your creativity to the next level in a city as exciting and beautiful as Denver, Colorado?

KDVR/KWGN, the Fox and CW affiliate in Denver, Colorado, is looking for a creative and aggressive Executive Content Producer to lead us on the evening shift – delivering news on multiple platforms including our evening newscasts.

The Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who embodies an audience-first approach to delivering news. This individual will excel under tight deadlines and bring bold, creative ideas to our newsroom.

We have a talented team of storytellers in this newsroom, plenty of resources, and most people will tell you – it’s a pretty great place to work.

Plus, you get to live in Denver – with the Rockies in your backyard. Spend your off-time skiing, snowboarding, backpacking, hiking, eating at top-notch restaurants, and enjoying life in a vibrant, and growing downtown!

Five years of producing experience, and 2+ years of management experience required.

Apply by clicking here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 1/14/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (relisted 1/28/18)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (relisted 12/31/17)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (listed 1/14/18)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 1/14/18)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 3/4/18, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/21/18)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 2/18/18)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, relisted 1/21/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, new listing this week)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 1/21/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, new listing this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)

Names in the News (and other items):

Altman

Our friend CANDY ALTMAN is retiring in June after 35 years with Hearst. She’s been VP/News since 2001. In that role, she’s helped coordinate Hearst’s political coverage. She was ND of the company’s Boston ABC affiliate, WCVB-TV for seven years, before moving to the corporate job. Candy was also an EP at WCVB. She’s also worked in Providence, Miami and Columbia, MO. Your kind note would reach her at: caltman@hearst.com.

McCormick

Congratulations to DAVID McCORMICK who’s retiring from NBC News after more than a 40 year career with the Peacock. He’s been Executive Producer, Broadcast Standards & Ombudsman since 1993, held a variety of positions before that, and earlier had been the news director for WKYC-TV in Cleveland when it was owned by the network.

Raleigh’s WRAL-TV has moved LORI GRANT to its main executive producer job. She’s been the nightside EP most recently, first joined the station as a producer in 2007, and has also worked in Baltimore and Mobile.

At KMTV in Omaha, BRIDGET YOUNG has been promoted to Morning Executive Producer for this Scripps’ owned NBC affiliate. She had been a producer there.

General Manager News and Notes:

Hammel

STEVE HAMMEL is retiring as General Manager of WRAL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh later this year. Steve’s been the GM since November, 2008. He’s also been a GM in Phoenix, and a news director in Washington, St. Louis, and Rochester, NY. Steve’s also worked in Dallas, Harrisburg, PA, and Syracuse. The station’s news release is here, and the local business journal looks at the challenges WRAL has faced during Steve’s tenure.

Also retiring is WCYB-TV (Bristol, TN) GM JACK DEMPSEY. He’s been GM there for six years, and spent 23 years as a GM in Johnson City, TN.

On the plus side of the scorecard, Raycom Media has named CHRIS CONROY as GM of KFVS/WQWQ-TV in Cape Girardeau, MO. It’s about 150 mile move for Chris, who’s currently GM of Raycom’s KAIT-TV in Jonesboro, AR.

PETER NOLL will be the next GM for WNBJ-TV, the NBC affiliate in Jackson, TN.

And Sinclair has promoted TOM LONG to GM of its Boise operation, KBOI/KYUU-TV.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 11, 2018:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S. Parker St. Tampa FL 33606
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTMJ-TV 720 E Capitol Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53212
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WJAX/WFOX 11700 Central Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32224
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611 (see ad above!)
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106 (see ad above!)
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701

**: Spanish language station