Rick Gevers & Associates

April 26, 2020

Greetings:

We start this week, sadly, with TWO obituaries, one of a current ND, and one of a retired ND and GM who many of our more senior readers will remember.

Farrell

KTEN-TV (Ada, Ok/Sherman, TX) is mourning the sudden death Friday of its news director, MARK FARRELL. Mark was 55 when he died of an apparent heart attack. He was in his second tour of duty at this Lockwood Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate, which remembered him with this story. During his career, Mark worked in many markets, large and small, as outlined on his Linkedin page. Our sympathy to his family, friends, and KTEN co-workers.

Middleton

And I’m sorry to report the death of former news director and GM KEN MIDDLETON who died Tuesday, also of a sudden heart attack. Ken’s wife, SARAH emailed this sad note to me today with details. Ken retired from television about 20 years ago. His last job was GM for WHAS-TV in Louisville, where he continued to live. WHAS aired this tribute. He was also a GM in Tucson, a news director in Charlotte and Tampa, and held management jobs in a number of markets. Here’s his obituary. Services will be held at a later date. Please join me in a good thought for Sarah and her two children.

Let’s move on to our normal business.

We have TWO new ND openings this week, and we’ve taken TWO stations off the list…ONE because a new ND was hired, and ONE because the incumbent ND decided not to leave! My list shows 26 stations looking for a new ND.

Only TWO items in Names in the News this week, and nothing in our GM moves department.

And…check out this great free offer for free talent coaching.

Did I mention free?

Thanks to BARRY NASH and his colleagues for this great (free!) offer.

Newly Named News Directors:

Ohnemus

KULR-TV, Billings, MT…we’re removing the opening here from our list. I’m told that PHILLIP OHNEMUS has changed his mind about leaving and will stay on as ND for this Cowles Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the news director here for five years and previously worked at WIAT-TV (CBS) in Birmingham, AL, in a variety of roles.

Crews

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…STEPHEN CREWS has been promoted to news director for this CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television. He spent 2 1/2 years as an ND for WDHN-TV, Nexstar’s ABC affiliate in Dothan until December 2017. Stephen previously worked for some weekly newspapers in the region. At WTVY, he replaces LENA SADIWSKYJ who left in November and is now the Assistant ND for WACH-TV in Columbia, SC.

Also, apologies to AUDREY MOON, the new ND at WREX-TV in Rockford, whose first name I botched in last week’s report.  Apologies to Audrey and to our readers.

New News Director Openings:

Clark

KCTV, Kansas City, MO…our Monday UDPATE reported the departure of CASEY CLARK from the Meredith owned CBS affiliate. His departure comes less than three weeks after a new GM arrived. Before Kansas City, Casey worked as a news director in Rochester, NY, and held a variety of management jobs in several markets. His complete career path is here on his Linkedin page.

Jones

WNYT-TV, Albany, NY…DAVID JONES is leaving this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate and leaving the TV business. He’s been the ND there since the summer of 2017. David spent five years as an ND for WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA. He’s worked in assignment desk roles in Pittsburgh and Charlotte, for the Sinclair Broadcasting Washington bureau, and began his career as a reporter.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

There are no paid help wanted ads this week. If you would like to advertise your station’s open news management position, please email me for details: rick@rickgevers.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 3/22/20)
WSFL-TV, Miami, FL (relisted 4/20/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 3/8/20)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/12/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (relisted this week)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 4/12/20)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 3/22/20)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (listing revised 4/20/20)
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (Digital EP, relisted 4/5/20)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 2/16/20)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (EP Special Projects, listed 2/16/20)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (relisted 3/29/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/16/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 4/5/20)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/12/20)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/1/20)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/5/20)
WFSB-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 3/15/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP/Innovation, listing revised 2/23/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 2/23/20)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 3/15/20)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 3/1/20)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/8/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (listed 3/8/20)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 2/23/20)
KCAU-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 3/8/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (listing revised 4/19/20)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (Investigative/Enterprise, listed 3/8/20)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 4/19/20:

KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)
KOLR/KOLZ-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Director)

Listed 2/23/20:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (Investigative Producer)
E.W. Scripps @ WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (News Manager Apprentice)

Listed 2/16/20:

E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (Digital Content Manager)

Names in the News (and other items):

Nexstar’s WOWK-TV in Charleston, WV, filled its open Digital Content Manager position by hiring JOEY STIPEK. He did digital work with “The Oklahoman” newspaper and web in Oklahoma City.

News Press and Gazette’s cluster of stations in St. Joseph, MO, has promoted CLINTON THOMAS to assistant ND. He’s a 15 year veteran of the station who’s worked as a reporter and producer. He’s also worked in Columbia, MO.

General Manager News and Notes:

I’m not aware of any general manager moves this week. If you are, please let me know via an email to: rick@rickgevers.com

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 26, 2020:

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

WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Ft. Worth, TX 76155
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KFDM-TV 2955 I-10 East Beaumont, TX 77702
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
KPLC-TV 20 Division Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

April 19, 2020

Monday, April 20, 2020 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Today’s update brings word of a news director change in Kansas City.

   Clark

CASEY CLARK has left Meredith’s KCTV (CBS) after about 18 months as news director. His departure comes less than three weeks after a new general manager, CHARLIE HENIRCH, replaced CHUCK PODUSKA, who retired at the end of March.

Casey’s also been an ND in Rochester, NY, and has worked at a number of stations around the country as you’ll learn on his Linkedin page.

Also, a correction from last night’s newsletter. The new ND at Rockford’s WREX-TV is AUDREY MOON, not AMANDA MOON, as I incorrectly reported. Apologies to Audrey, and to you.

More in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

After several active weeks, there’s not as much news to report this week.

Just ONE new news director was named this week, a promotion. And there are, to may knowledge, NO new openings. My list shows 26 stations looking for a new ND.

Once again we have ONE Paid Help Wanted ad, this one an eye-catching ad for a news director job at a very good station in the Southwest.

There’s an obituary for a former Washington, DC, ND, who was better known for his many years as a reporter and anchor for THREE Washington stations.

There are THREE GM items, all of them involving GMs who have left their stations.

And I have no items in Names in the News, so perhaps it’s time to remind you that I appreciate you sending items my way.

Newly Named News Directors:

Moon

WREX-TV, Rockford, IL…AMANDA AUDREY MOON has been promoted to news director for this Quincy Media owned NBC affiliate. She’s been the assistant news director here and first joined the staton in 2014. Amanda Audrey replaces JOSH MORGAN who was promoted to station manager earlier this year. Amanda has also worked graduated with a degree in print journalism at the University of Missouri in Columbia, MO.

New News Director Openings:

To the best of my knowledge, there are no new ND openings this week…but…

Please note the Paid Help Wanted ad just below for the open ND job for Hearst’s KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, NM.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 3/22/20)
WSFL-TV, Miami, FL (relisted this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 3/8/20)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 4/12/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (listed 3/15/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 4/12/20)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 3/22/20)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (relisted 2/16/20)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (1 opening, listing revised this week)
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (Digital EP, relisted 4/5/20)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 2/16/20)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (EP Special Projects, listed 2/16/20)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (relisted 3/29/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/16/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 4/5/20)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/12/20)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/1/20)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/5/20)
WFSB-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 3/15/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP/Innovation, listing revised 2/23/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 2/23/20)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 2/16/20)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 3/15/20)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 3/1/20)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/8/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (listed 3/8/20)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 2/23/20)
KCAU-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 3/8/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (1 opening, listing revised this week)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (Investigative/Enterprise, listed 3/8/20)

More News Management Openings:

New Listing this week:

KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)
KOLR/KOLZ-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Director)

Listed 3/15/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 2/23/20:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (Investigative Producer)
E.W. Scripps @ WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (News Manager Apprentice)

Listed 2/16/20:

E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (Digital Content Manager)

Obituary:

Buchanan

MIKE BUCHANAN, a one-time news director for WTTG-TV in Washington, DC, who will be best remembered for his decades of reporting and anchoring, died last Thursday. He was 78 and died of a heart attack. After this time as an ND, he worked as a reporter for WTOP-TV (now WUSA-TV) and WJLA-TV. In an interesting story, WUSA remembered him here while the Washington Post had this obituary. Mike also worked in Oklahoma City and Columbia, MO.

Names in the News (and other items):

No items this week.

General Manager News and Notes:

MIKE LEWIS has left WJZY/WMYY-TV in Charlotte after less than a year as GM. During that time, Nexstar acquired the stations from FOX.

WAFF-TV, Gray Television’s NBC affiliate in Huntsville, AL, is searching for a new GM following DAVE THOMASON’s departure. He was GM there for almost four years and early had been the GM for sister station KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, MO.

Chadwick

After 23 years, JOHN CHADWICK is retiring as General Manager of WREX-TV (Quincy Media/NBC) in Rockford, IL. He’ll remain with the station as a consultant through the end of the year. Station Manager (and former ND) JOSH MORGAN will oversee the day-to-day operations. Chadwick joined WREX in 1994 and became GM when Quincy bought the station.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 19, 2020:

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

WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Ft. Worth, TX 76155
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 (see ad above!)
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KFDM-TV 2955 I-10 East Beaumont, TX 77702
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
KPLC-TV 20 Division Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

April 12, 2020

Greetings:

Once again, a busier week than I might have expected, with lots of movement to report.

There are FOUR new news directors named this week. And our first ND opening in almost a month (created by a move of one of the four new NDs) leaves our list of open ND jobs at 27.

Once again we have ONE new Paid Help Wanted ad, this for a news director job at a very good station in the Southwest.

Sadly, TWO obituaries this week, one for a longtime Spanish language news director and anchor, and we have new details on the passing of a longtime Florida newswoman, including her obituary…which she wrote.

Once again we have THREE GM appointments, each one coming from a promotion within their current company.

And we have the list of IRE award winners.

Read on, but please stay healthy and take care of yourself and your staffs during this unique time in our history.

Newly Named News Directors:

Oldenburg

WNJU-TV, New York, NY…FREDDY OLDENBURG moves from one Telemundo o-and-o to another as he takes over as VP/News here. He’s been the ND for KWTX KXTX-TV, Telemundo’s station in Dallas/Ft. Worth since 2017. More from Media Moves. He’s a former ND for the Telemundo station in San Francisco and also worked as an Assistant ND in Los Angeles. In New York, he replaces ENDY RODRIGUEZ who left earlier this year after 20 years at the station, the last three as ND.

Hofmann

WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC…our UPDATE earlier this week told you that CARRIE HOFMANN is returning to this NBC affiliate (now owned by Tegna) as news director. She spent two years as the Assistant ND here before leaving in 2013 to become ND for Scripps’ KSHB-TV (NBC) in Kansas City, a job she left last summer. She’s been the interim ND for Tegna’s WOI-TV in Des Moines since January. Carrie’s also worked in Denver, Milwaukee, and Phoenix, and replaces MATT KING here. Matt left last month to become ND for WGCL-TV in Atlanta.

Dangler

WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA…OLIVIA DANGLER moves within Nexstar to become the next ND for this CBS (ABC) affiliate. Ironically, she replaces CJ HOYT, who, for a few weeks, was her boss at the new ND for WTTV (CBS) in Indianapolis, where Olivia has been the Assistant News Director since November, 2015. Here’s the note from WTTV/WXIN-TV GM DOMINIC MANCUSO to the staff. She’s also worked in Dallas, Phoenix, Columbus, OH, and New Bern, NC. CJ was ND here for 2 1/2 years.

O’Brien

KSBW-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA…JILLIAN O’BRIEN returns to this Hearst owned NBC affilaite for her third stint, this time as ND. She’s earlier been a producer and later Assistant ND here. Most recently, she’s been the EP for “Matter of Fact with Soledad O’Brien,” (no relation) a syndicated weekend program produced by Hearst. She’s also worked for CNN and in San Francisco. Jillian replaces LAWTON DODD who left in February after 22 years as ND.

New News Director Openings:

KXTX-TV KXTX-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…as mentioned above, FREDDY OLDENBURG is leaving to going to New York as ND for sister Telemundo station WNJU-TV.

Also, please note the Paid Help Wanted ad just below for the open ND job for Hearst’s KOAT-TV in Albuquerque, NM.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 3/22/20)
WSFL-TV, Miami, FL (listed 2/2/2020)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 3/8/20)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted this week)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (listed 3/15/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted this week)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 3/22/20)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (relisted 2/16/20)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, relisted 4/5/20)
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (Digital EP, relisted 4/5/20)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 2/16/20)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (EP Special Projects, listed 2/16/20)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (relisted 3/29/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/16/20)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP and Digital EP, relisted 4/5/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 4/5/20)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/1/20)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 4/5/20)
WFSB-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 3/15/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP/Innovation, listing revised 2/23/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 2/23/20)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 2/16/20)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 3/15/20)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 3/1/20)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/8/20)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 3/29/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (listed 3/8/20)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 2/23/20)
KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (listed 3/8/20)
KCAU-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 3/8/20)
MANAGING EDITOR:

MANAGING EDITOR:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, 4/5/20)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (Investigative/Enterprise, listed 3/8/20)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (relisted 2/9/20)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/15/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 2/23/20:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (Investigative Producer)
E.W. Scripps @ WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (News Manager Apprentice)

Listed 2/16/20:

E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 1/19/20:

WBOC-TV/Draper Media, Salisbury, MD (Director of Digital Content)
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (Professor)

Obituary:

Echegoyen

LUIS ECHEGOYEN, described by some as a legend in Spanish language news, died last Monday at the age of 81. He was in failing health and had suffered a stroke. Luis spent much of his career as an anchor, but spent several years as the news director for the Univision station in San Francisco. More on his career in this obituary from Media Moves.

Siegel-Cohen

When we reported the death of SHARON SIEGEL-COHEN earlier this week, I had not seen her obituary.

She wrote it.

After you read it, you’ll understand why her co-workers loved her. Sharon spent 33 years at WJXT-TV (Ind/Graham Media) in Jacksonville, FL. She was a producer when I worked with there (in 1982-83) and ended her career as an executive producer. Sharon also worked briefly in Atlanta and Tampa. A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Names in the News (and other items):

IRE announced the 2019 IRE Award winners and finalists this year. The complete list is here. Winners will be honored at the annual convention, pushed back from its original June date to late August in National Harbor, MD.

General Manager News and Notes:

A flurry of top 25 GM jobs were filled this week, all with inter-company promotions.

Conklin

In Seattle, Sinclair promoted CHAD CONKLIN to General Manager for KOMO-TV (ABC). Chad’s been running the company’s WSMH-TV (FOX) in Flint, MI for the last nine years, where he also oversaw WEYI-TV (NBC) to which Sinclair provides services. Chad started at WSMH 20 years ago as an account executive. The company’s news release has more.

Lewis

Nexstar promoted JOHN LEWIS to general manager for WNCN-TV (NBC) (CBS) in Raleigh. He’s been running the company’s WNCT-TV (CBS) in Greenville, NC. He spent seven years running a firm that advised companies on acquisitions, and had earlier been a GM for two other stations in Greenville. He also has worked in Louisiana, Arkansas, and Mississippi.

Sosnoff

And in St. Louis, the new GM won’t have to move. JAMES (JD) SOSNOFF is being promoted at Meredith’s KMOV-TV (CBS) where he has been director of sales after first joining the station as local sales manager in 2014. JD is replacing MIKE MURPHY who is retiring at the end of June after five years in running KMOV.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 12, 2020:

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

WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Ft. Worth, TX 76155
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107 (see ad above!)
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KFDM-TV 2955 I-10 East Beaumont, TX 77702
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
KPLC-TV 20 Division Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

April 5, 2020

Friday, April 10, 2020 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Two items today, one very sad. First the good news:

Hofman

The flurry of news director hirings continues with today’s announcement that CARRIE HOFMANN has been named news director for Tegna’s WCNC-TV (NBC) in Charlotte. Here’s the news release.

It’s a return to WCNC for Carrie, who spent two years there as the Assistant ND before heading off to Kansas City for six years as the ND for KSHB-TV (NBC/Scripps). That tenure ended last June. For the last four months, she’s been the interim ND for WOI-TV, Tegna’s ABC affiliate in Des Moines.

She’s also worked in Denver, Milwaukee and Phoenix. At WCNC, she replaces MATT KING who left last month to become ND for Meredith’s WGCL-TV (CBS) in Atlanta.

Siegel-Cohen

On a much sadder note, I’m sorry to report the passing of longtime WJXT-TV (Ind./Jacksonville, FL) EP SHARON SIEGEL-COHEN, who lost her battle with ALS yesterday. She was 62.

I worked with Sharon in 1982-83 when I was the EP and Assistant ND there. As nice a person as you’ll ever meet, and she took on ALS with strength, leading fundraisers and becoming an advocate for fighting the disease. Everything in this station obituary is true.

RIP, Sharon, and my sympathy to her family, friends, and co-workers at WJXT.

We’ll have lots more for you in our full newsletter this weekend, including new news directors in Pennsylvania and California.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

A much busier report in our newsletter this week, even though the world around us remains in turmoil.

That turmoil prompted RTDNA to produce a special edition of the RTDNA/Newhouse School at Syracuse University Survey (the first in conjunction with Syracuse). It looks at the impact of COVID-19 on local TV news stations. The highlights are here and the entire report (relax, it’s just five pages) is here.

There are TWO new news directors named this week. And, for the THIRD consecutive week, I’m not aware of any new openings, so our list of open ND jobs drops to 30.

Once again we have ONE new Paid Help Wanted ad…a great opportunity for someone wanting to get into management.

A Baltimore news director (and her dog) had to be rescued today after they slipped off a trail in a state park. That’s just one of several interesting items in Names in the News. You’ll also read about a former ND getting a promotion at MSNBC, another former ND, consultant and digital director leaving the consulting world to return to TV as a GM, and another well known former ND who found several lives after the newsroom heading to retirement.

And we have THREE GM appointments, including one who is replacing a former ND who’s delaying his retirement to take on a short-term role with the company.

And once again…please stay healthy and take care of yourself and your staffs!

Newly Named News Directors:

Volpicella

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…veteran news director FRANK VOLPICELLA returns to the fray as the next news director for this Cox Media Group FOX affiliate. Details here. It’s a return to Cox for Frank, who worked for the company years ago as the EP at flagship WSB-TV in Atlanta. He’s also been an ND for another Atlanta station, as well as in Austin,TX, Lexington, KY, and Huntsville, AL. Frank’s also worked in Tampa, Oklahoma City, and Jacksonville (twice). At KOKI, he replaces TINA COMMODORE who was promoted to ND for Cox’s WFTV (ABC) in Orlando.

Kane

KREM-TV, Spokane, WA…it’s another return, this time to her former station for JESSIE KANE who will be the next ND for this Tegna owned CBS affilaite. She began at the station as an intern and later worked as a producer here. Jessie’s also worked for Tegna stations in Seattle, Charlotte, and most recently as news content director for KXTV in Sacramento. She’ll replace NOAH COOPER who became a recruiter for Tegna.

New News Director Openings:

No new news director openings again this week, to my knowledge.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Nightside Executive Producer, KNWA-TV, Fayetteville AR:

Is there a better time to be a newsroom leader? We are covering historic times. Here’s your chance to join the largest media company in the country – while making a difference in your local community.

KNWA & FOX24, the NBC & FOX affiliates in Fayetteville, Arkansas, are looking for an aggressive, innovative, creative and dynamic nightside Executive Producer.

We are looking for a true leader who wants to make an impact in our newsroom and our community. The nightside EP will help craft the station’s daily content, work with crews in the field, and mentor reporters and producers.

The nightside EP will work closely with the News Director and Assistant News Director to set and uphold the high standards for how KNWA & FOX24 newscasts are produced and executed on every platform, including digital.

Above all, we’re looking for someone with an optimistic outlook and a winning attitude.

Our newsroom is forward-thinking and built on a strong emphasis of positive reinforcement, feedback, growth and development of talent and a desire to win. We consistently win awards from our local audiences for our commitment to our community and our service-centered sense of duty.

Whether you are looking for a place to settle in or a place to equip yourself for that next “big step” – we have a proven track record of providing both outcomes.

(Fayetteville is actually a great place to live. In fact, U.S. News ranks Fayetteville the fourth best place to live in the country.)

Apply here:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGN-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 3/22/20)
KCPQ/KZJO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/2/2020)
WSFL-TV, Miami, FL (listed 2/2/2020)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 3/8/20)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 2/9/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (listed 3/15/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (listed 2/23/20)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 3/22/20)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (relisted 2/16/20)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, relisted this week)
Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 2/16/20)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (EP Special Projects, listed 2/16/20)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (relisted 3/29/20)
KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 2/16/20)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP and Digital EP, relisted this week)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/2/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/9/20)
KSND-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/1/20)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
WFSB-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (AM EP, listed 3/15/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP/Innovation, listing revised 2/23/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 2/23/20)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (relisted 2/16/20)
WTVR-TV, Richmond, VA (listed 3/15/20)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 3/1/20)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/8/20)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (relisted 3/29/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20, see ad above!)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (listed 3/8/20)
KRNV-TV, Reno, NV (PM EP, listing revised 3/29/20)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 2/23/20)
KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (listed 3/8/20)
KCAU-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 3/8/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

Nexstar’s News Nation, Chicago, IL (2 openings, relisted this week)
WSFL-TV, Ft. Lauderdale/Miami (Investigative/Enterprise, listed 3/8/20)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (relisted 2/9/20)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/15/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 2/23/20:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (Investigative Producer)
E.W. Scripps @ WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (News Manager Apprentice)

Relisted 2/23/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 2/16/20:

E. W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Director of News Content Strategy)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 1/19/20:

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Senior Multiplatform Producer)
WBOC-TV/Draper Media, Salisbury, MD (Director of Digital Content)
University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY (Professor)

Obituary:

I am happy to report I have no obituaries this week.

Names in the News (and other items):

Bending

WJZ-TV (Baltimore) News Director GAIL BENDING and her dog BALTO had a close call today. They slid down a trail at a state park and couldn’t climb back up. They were rescued by the Baltimore County Fire Department and EMS. The station posted this story. Alert: as of this writing the video above the story is NOT about Gail’s situation. Her station bio reports that she has been the news director for this CBS o-and-o for 28 years.

Jones

RASHIDA JONES, a former news director for WIS-TV (NBC) in Columbia, SC, continues her climb at NBC News as she has now been placed in charge of the daytime schedule for MSNBC. Details in this story from Variety. Rashida left WIS in 2013 after two years as ND to become the EP for the CHRIS JANSING show on MSNBC. She’s also worked at the Weather Channel and as a producer in Norfolk.

Natz

News Director turned corporate digital director turned consultant JACQUES NATZ is joining Altice USA’s network as General Manager of the seven local cable news operations in the New York area. Jacques’ been a news director in Boston, Seattle, and Indianapolis, was Hearst’s first Director of Digital Content and has spent the last eight years as a SVP and senior consultant for SmithGeiger. He’s also worked in Chicago, Detroit, Sacramento and Columbia, MO.

Tobia

Another veteran news director who found life after the newsroom is retiring. LOREN TOBIA tells me it’s time to ‘start enjoying my wife, kids and grandsons’ after a long career. He’s spent the last three years working for our friends at Weather Metrics. Many of you may remember him from his 15 years at AccuWeather and others will know him for his long service as treasurer of RTDNA, a job he’s held for 18 years. And a few old geezers know he used to be an ND in Syracuse, Omaha, and Charleston, WV. Little known fact: Loren and I were elected together to the (then) RTNDA board in 1990 as at large directors.

General Manager News and Notes:

Wayland

CHRIS WAYLAND is ascending to the General Manager position at NBC’s Boston operations, including NBC affiliate WBTS-TV, Telemundo affiliate WNEU-TV and regional cable network NECN, from his current role as VP and Station Manager. Chris also oversees NBC Sports Boston. He’s a former GM at WPIX-TV in New York, WHDH-TV in Boston, and held a corporate role for Tribune. Details here.

St. Peter

That story also tells you that Chris replaces MIKE ST. PETER who was scheduled to retire on April 1 after six years in Boston. But not wanting to leave in the middle of a huge story, Mike will delay his retirement to assist the o-and-o group on some special projects. He first joined NBC as VP/News at WVIT-TV in Hartford in 2006 after more than 19 years at WWOR-TV in New York. He also worked in Buffalo and began his career in radio in Los Angeles.

Spruill

MIKE SPRUILL heads to Springfield (MO) as GM for Nexstar’s operations there, which includes oversight of KOLR-TV (CBS) and KRBK-TV (FOX). As you’ll learn here, Nexstar owns KRBK and operates KOLR for Mission Broadcasting. Mike most recently has been sales manager for the company’s WKRN-TV in Nashville. He’s also worked in Houston, Orlando, and Kansas City. Mike replaces LEO HENNING who retired after eight years in Springfield and a five decade career.

Purciful

Finally, congratulations to SARAH PURCIFUL who’s been named GM for Gray’s KSLA-TV in Shreveport, LA. She’s been running the company’s Harrisonburg, VA stations. You’ll learn more about Sarah and her broadcasting career in this news release, which also tells you about ROBBY THOMAS’s appointment as GM of WTVY-TV in Dothan, AL. If that sounds familiar, it’s because you read about it here three weeks ago.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 5, 2020:

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

WNJU-TV, 2200 Fletcher Avenue Fort Lee, NJ 07024
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WEWS-TV 3001 Euclid Ave., Cleveland, OH 44115
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Center Dr., Charlotte, NC 28217
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KOAT-TV 3801 Carlisle Blvd. NE Albuquerque, NM 87107
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WHTM-TV 3235 Hoffman St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York, PA 17403
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Road, Schenectady, NY 12309
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, Iowa 50266
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KVAL/KMTR-TV 4575 Blanton Rd., Eugene, OR 97405
KSBW-TV 238 John Street, Salinas, CA 93901
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KFDM-TV 2955 I-10 East Beaumont, TX 77702
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
KPLC-TV 20 Division Street, Lake Charles, LA 70601
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KHQA-TV 301 S 36th St, Quincy, IL 62301
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station