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December 31, 2023

Thursday, January 4, 2024 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Our first UPDATE of the new year brings news of the retirement of a veteran Pittsburgh newsman.

Parsons

JIM PARSONS, who’s been the news director for Hearst’s WTAE-TV (ABC) since 2016, will retire at the end of February. Jim first joined WTAE as an investigative reporter in 1998, transitioned to Assistant ND in 2013, and earned the top job in 2016 when JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI was promoted to GM for Hearst’s WPTZ/WNNE-TV in Plattsburgh, NY/Burlington, VT.

More on Jim’s retirement from TribLive’s ROB OWEN.

Jim began his TV career in Rochester, NY, and also worked in Buffalo and Indianapolis.

Best wishes to him for a long and happy retirement.

I hope your holidays were great and that you escaped the bad cold that I found.

We’ll see you Sunday with our full newsletter.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Our best wishes for a safe, healthy, and prosperous New Year to everyone.

As you might expect, not much action during this holiday week, with NO news director changes and just ONE item in Names in the News.

We do have ONE new paid ad for a terrific ND opportunity at a family owned station. Check it out if you’re looking for a new challenge.

Sadly, we close the year with FOUR obituaries. Details below.

Have a great weekend and we’ll see you next week.

Newly Named News Directors:

Nothing to see here! Please move along. 🙂

New News Director Openings:

And nothing to see here as well, thought we do have a new ad just below for an attractive opportunity at a well regarded family owned TV station. Check it out!

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA:

WBRZ has an incredible opportunity for a charismatic newsroom leader, show doctor and content innovator to lead our breaking and investigative journalism team as DIRECTOR OF NEWS.

We need a leader who can mentor our team, launch new concepts and own the day’s big stories.

The family-owned television station makes the rules and breaks them. Like any other news station, the news director at WBRZ oversees the journalism operation but must be willing to get their hands dirty, try new things and use research to drive coverage and viewership growth.

WBRZ is renowned for its dogged investigative journalism. A knack for navigating complex stories, creativity and a passion for coaching is a necessity. Newsroom management experience is required. Equally important is understanding the audience and knowing how to manage expectations. A producing background is ideal.

Knowledge of managing a budget, resources and mentoring a larger staff are crucial.

Email cover letter and resumes to: hr@wbrz.com

Pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 11/5/23)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/5/23)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 11/5/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (listed 11/5/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 10/29/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/10/23)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, listed 12/17/23)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 11/5/23)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 11/5/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 11/5/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 11/5/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 12/10/23)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 11/5/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 12/17/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)
KTVE/KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (12/17/23)

MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/10/23:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)

Relisted 11/5/23:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Obituaries:

FOUR obituaries to end the year.

ADAM PETLIN died December 23 at the age of 58 after a long illness. Adam was the Director of Operations for Fox News’ Chicago bureau.

Longtime Alaska newsman MONTE BOWEN also died on December 23rd. He retired in 2011 as ND for KTVF-TV in Anchorage and had worked in news in Alaska since 1984.

LEW COLBY died at the age of 86. He began at WCSH-TV in Portland, ME, as a weathercaster and held several management positions before rising to GM. This story from WCSH has more details about his career and impact on the station.

Finally, a legendary Spanish language broadcaster in Texas lost her battle with brain cancer on December 26. REBECCA MUÑOZ-DIAZ was 65. She was a GM at several stations and an executive at Univision. Houston media blogger MIKE McGUFF has more.

Names in the News:

Rowles

DEREK ROWLES, who spent 23+ years in a variety of roles for ABC’s WTVD-TV in Raleigh/Durham, NC, ending as the Assistant ND there, is the new AND for Nexstar’s WNCN-TV (CBS) in Raleigh. Derek’s been working in real estate since leaving WTVD just over a year ago. He’s also worked in Toledo and Grand Junction, CO.

General Manager News and Notes:

No GM moves this week either.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 31, 2023:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (news manager)
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802 (See ad above!)
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Executive ND)
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

December 24, 2023

Greetings:

Happy Holidays.

More activity than I expected during a holiday week, much of it positive, but we start with a tragic story from Pennsylvania.

Our sympathy to News Director TOM DAVIS and the staff of Philadelphia’s WPVI-TV (ABC owned) on the crash Tuesday of the station’s helicopter. Photographer CHRIS DOUGHERTY and pilot MONROE SMITH died in the accident. It’s been widely covered, but here’s a story posted yesterday on the investigation into the accident. Many other stories, of course, can be found on the station’s website.

On to our normal business.

TWO newly named news directors this week, ONE filling an opening that’s been on our list for months, while the other opening lasted less than a week.

And…to my knowledge…NO new openings, though we do have an item with more details on the next step for a longtime Texas ND.

Our list of stations with ND openings drops and is now at 31.

Our ONE obituary is that of a former Miami and Phoenix ND and longtime Wichita GM.

He may have retired from Poynter, but AL TOMPKINS is back at it, now as a visiting professor, teaching a class with longtime STEVE HARTMAN photographer LES ROSE. We’ll tell you where in Names in the News. (It’s called a tease. I used to be a producer. Would you expect any less?)

While our work here normally sticks to managers, I really enjoyed a profile of WTVF-TV (Nashville, TN) investigative reporter PHIL WILLIAMS. Check it out below.

And we have TWO new GM’s to report.

We’ll see you next week.

Newly Named News Directors:

Canine

WDIV-TV, Detroit, MI…JENNIFER WALLACE CANINE ascends to the ND job at this Graham Media owned NBC affiliate. She’s a 26 year veteran there and the ND role is her tenth job. GM BOB ELLIS told the staff via this memo (which doesn’t even mention her law degree!) Jennifer (whose dad is longtime NBC exec PAT WALLACE) replaces KIM VOET who left in July to be GM for WFOR-TV (CBS owned) in Miami.

Miller

WFMJ-TV, Youngstown, OH…if you thought Jennifer’s 26 years at WDIV was impressive, how about 35 year station vet SHEILA MILLER, who’s the new ND for this locally owned NBC affiliate. She’s been a longtime EP and more recently the Assistant ND. The station posted this story, which also includes TWO other newsroom promotions. Sheila replaces MONA ALEXANDER. We told you last week that Mona was retiring after 26 years as ND and 40 at WFMJ.

New News Director Openings:

Garza

No new openings this week, but an update on a departure we told you about three weeks ago. JERRY GARZA, ND at Gray’s KGNS-TV in Laredo, TX is leaving for a job outside of television. The station aired this story this week on his last day at the station, where he’s been ND since 2016.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WHEC-TV, Hubbard Broadcasting, Rochester, NY:

Opportunity for an experienced news leader with history of success in leading broadcast and digital news operations. We emphasize in depth and investigative reporting, first to alert weather coverage, overwhelming response to breaking news, and growing digital services.

A strong leader is sought to help grow our leadership position and work with some of the most talented investigative reporters anywhere. If you join us, you will direct execution of our news strategic plan and continue to improve the plan while working with talented and supportive fellow department heads. The successful candidate must motivate and inspire high performers and be an effective teacher — this is the first TV news job for some team members.

Rochester was high-tech before the term was coined. Intellectual capital that once drove Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Lomb has created hundreds of new tech enterprises. Today Rochester is the optics industry capital of America. Two large research universities, smaller colleges, and superior health care are the foundation of a mid-sized city with attributes of larger cities. Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes are the core of recreational gems. Surprisingly, the cost of purchasing housing is among the lowest in the Northeast.

Yes, there is snow. We know what to do with it.

To learn more about Rochester and News10NBC, please watch this 1:20 video:

To learn more about this remarkable opportunity and to apply, please see the full job description here:

Questions? Please contact Michael Hammond, Recruiting Manager, Hubbard Broadcasting: mhammond@hbi.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 11/5/23)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/5/23)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 11/5/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (listed 11/5/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 10/29/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/10/23)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, listed 12/17/23)
Nexstar DC Bureau, Washinton, DC (listed 12/24/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 11/5/23)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/24/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 12/24/23)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 11/5/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 11/5/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 11/5/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 12/10/23)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 11/5/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 12/17/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)
KTVE/KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (12/17/23)

MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/10/23:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)

Relisted 11/5/23:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Obituary:

Buch

AL BUCH, a former news director in Miami and Phoenix and longtime general manager for KSNW-TV in Wichita, died Thursday. He was 83. KSNW remembered him in this detailed story. Al also worked in Fresno, Boise, and Des Moines, IA. Since leaving KSNW in 2009, Al worked in the financial services industry.

Names in the News:

Tompkins

AL TOMPKINS, who retired in March from Poynter after 25 years, will join the Newhouse School at Syracuse as a visiting professor. Many of you know Al or have benefited from his tutelage, either in your newsroom or at an industry conference. Here’s the story from Syracuse about his appointment, the item Poynter ran when he retired, and a link where you can buy his popular book, Aim for the Heart:Write, Shoot, Report and Produce for TV and Multimedia. (No, I do not get a cut!)

Williams

Speaking of Nashville (if you’re clairvoyant, as Al Tompkins was once an ND there), another terrific journalist, investigative reporter PHIL WILLIAMS of WTVF-TV is profiled in this lengthy and interesting story from The Tennessean. If you’re not familiar with Phil, who’s won most of the top awards for investigative reporting, the name may ring a bell as his work covering a suburban mayoral race has been highlighted recently on HBO’s Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

General Manager News and Notes:

TWO broadcasters have a lot to celebrate this holiday season with new general manager jobs.

BYRON WILKINSON becomes GM for Tegna’s KVUE-TV (ABC) in Austin, TX. He’s been the interim GM there and was director of sales for seven years.

And BRUCE AUSTIN moves within Gray and will be the next GM for WVLT-TV (CBS) in Knoxville. He’s been running WALB-TV in Albany, GA.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 24, 2023:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (news manager)
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604 (see ad above!)
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Executive ND)
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

December 17, 2023

Wednesday, December 20, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

It’s her TENTH job at the station, and now this longtime employee will be the next news director.

 Canine

JENNIFER WALLACE CANINE moves into the proverbial corner office for Graham Media’s WDIV-TV (NBC) in Detroit. As you’ll learn in this memo from GM BOB ELLIS (himself a former WDIV ND) Jennifer has produced every newscast on the schedule. For the last four years, she’s been the Assistant News Director. She replaces KIM VOET who left this summer to become GM for CBS o-and-o WFOR-TV in Miami. Kim was ND here for 12 years.

Fun fact: Jennifer is a second generation broadcaster. Her father, PAT WALLACE, had a long career at NBC including stops as GM for NBC owned stations in Chicago and Philadelphia. He also served as President of the NBC owned station group.

It’s a holiday week. Not sure how much more news we’ll have, but we will publish a full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

With just a few days before the holidays, we have what is, to me at least, a surprising amount of ND changes: THREE new openings (ONE created as an ND is off to a GM job), and TWO newly named NDs.

So our list of stations with ND openings increases to 33.

There’s ONE Paid Help Wanted ad, that for a an ND opening in Rochester, NY.

Longtime consultant BILL SEITZLER is advertising a new research tool using AI to allow stations to make more data driven decisions. Be sure to click on his ad just below to learn more.

We have ONE obituary for a longtime marketing executive who lost his battle with brain cancer.

In addition to the Denver ND who’s off to a GM job, there’s a new GM in Nashville.

And a former Atlanta ND gets a promotion at Cox Media Group.

I do anticipate publishing next week around the holiday but the exact date and time of our next edition could vary.

Best wishes to you and yours for the holidays!

Newly Named News Directors:

Saiers

KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA…PETE SAIERS returns to this CBS owned operation as VP/ND. Earlier in his career, he was a reporter/producer there before moving on to KPIX-TV (CBS owned) in San Francisco for 18 years. Then two ND gigs, two years each at KING-TV in Seattle and KTLA-TV in Los Angeles. He replaces MARY BAYNES who left in October after about 18 months as ND.

Carson

WTOK-TV, Meridian, MS…congratulations to 17 year station veteran LAUREN CARSON on her promotion to news director for this Gray TV owned ABC affiliate. She began as a sports intern and has held a WIDE variety of jobs during her career there. More in her station profile. Lauren replaces EMILY ERIKSON who was promoted to ND for sister Gray TV station WFIE-TV (NBC) in Evansville, IN. Emily worked here for four years and was ND for about 1 1/2 years.

New News Director Openings:

Gregory

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO…Monday’s UPDATE told you that BRIAN GREGORY is leaving this Nexstar FOX/CW duopoly to become GM for Tegna’s WVEC-TV (ABC) in Norfolk. Brian’s been the ND here for six years, earlier was ND for KWCH-TV (CBS) in Wichita, and has worked in Sacrament, Knoxville, and Erie, PA. At WVEC, he replaces another former ND, DOUG WIEDER who was promoted to GM for Tegna’s KARE-TV in Minneapolis earlier this summer.

Maestas

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM…TIM MAESTAS has taken a job with the New Mexico Attorney General’s office and will leave this Hubbard Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate later this month. Tim has a law degree which he got while working in Memphis. Tim was the news director at KOB for not quite five years, has also worked as a reporter for another Albuquerque station as well as in Portland, OR, and Abilene, TX.

Alexander

WFMJ-TV, Youngstown, OH…MONA ALEXANDER  is retiring after working in Youngstown for more than 40 years, the last 26 as news director for this locally owned NBC affiliate. Mona worked for WKBN-TV in Youngstown, first as a reporter and then in management before moving to WFMJ. Two of her colleagues interviewed her about her career and much more.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WHEC-TV, Hubbard Broadcasting, Rochester, NY:

Opportunity for an experienced news leader with history of success in leading broadcast and digital news operations. We emphasize in depth and investigative reporting, first to alert weather coverage, overwhelming response to breaking news, and growing digital services.

A strong leader is sought to help grow our leadership position and work with some of the most talented investigative reporters anywhere. If you join us, you will direct execution of our news strategic plan and continue to improve the plan while working with talented and supportive fellow department heads. The successful candidate must motivate and inspire high performers and be an effective teacher — this is the first TV news job for some team members.

Rochester was high-tech before the term was coined. Intellectual capital that once drove Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Lomb has created hundreds of new tech enterprises. Today Rochester is the optics industry capital of America. Two large research universities, smaller colleges, and superior health care are the foundation of a mid-sized city with attributes of larger cities. Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes are the core of recreational gems. Surprisingly, the cost of purchasing housing is among the lowest in the Northeast.

Yes, there is snow. We know what to do with it.

To learn more about Rochester and News10NBC, please watch this 1:20 video:

To learn more about this remarkable opportunity and to apply, please see the full job description here:

Questions? Please contact Michael Hammond, Recruiting Manager, Hubbard Broadcasting: mhammond@hbi.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 11/5/23)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/5/23)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 11/5/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
WJHL-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 10/1/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (listed 11/5/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 10/29/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/10/23)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, listed 12/17/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 10/8/23)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 11/5/23)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/8/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 10/8/23)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/17/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 11/5/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 11/5/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 11/5/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 12/10/23)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 11/5/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
WTVC-TV, Chattanooga, TN (listed 12/17/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, listed 12/17/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)
KTVE/KARD-TV, W. Monroe, LA (12/17/23)

MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/10/23:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)

Relisted 11/5/23:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Obituary:

Gaulke

PAUL GAULKE, a veteran marketing executive, died of brain cancer on November 27. He was 61 years old and had been fighting cancer for several years. During his career, he held marketing management roles at both Raycom and Media General, and spent 6 1/2 years as Creative Services Director for Hubbard’s KSTP/KSTC-TV in Minneapolis . More about Paul’s life in this obituary.

Names in the News:

Turnbull

A former news director is one of two executives that received Vice President titles at Cox Media Group. MISTI TURNBULL  was named VP of News: she’s been Executive Director of News for the company and is a former ND for WSB-TV (ABC) in Atlanta. JORDAN CIPALA was also promoted to VP Strategy and Operations. More on both elevations here.

General Manager News and Notes:

Spruill

MIKE SPRUILL has been named general manager for Nexstar’s WKRN-TV (ABC) in Nashvilxle. It’s a return to WKRN for Mike, who was the general sales manager there from 2015-2020 before leaving to be GM for Nexstar’s KRBK-TV (FOX) in Springfield, MO. More about Mike’s career in the company news release.

And you learned above that BRIAN GREGORY will be the next GM for Tegna’s WVEC-TV (ABC) in Norfolk, VA. He’s been the ND for Nexstar’s KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver for the past six years. (More above).

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 17, 2023:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW, Albuquerque, NM, 87104
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (news manager)
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604 (see ad above!)
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Executive ND)
WFMJ-TV 101 W. Boardman Street Youngstown, OH 44503
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

December 11, 2023

Friday, December 15, 2023 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A veteran newsman returns to a CBS o-and-o, this time as the VP/News Director.

Saiers

PETE SAIERS will began Monday as the VP/ND for CBS duopoly KOVR/KMAX-TV (CBS/Independent) in Sacramento. More details here.

Pete spent some time earlier in his career as a reporter/producer at KOVR before an 18 year run at CBS’s KPIX-TV in San Francisco. He then went to two years stints as an ND for KING-TV (Tegna/NBC) in Seattle and then KTLA-TV (Nexstar/CW) in Los Angeles.

In Sacramento, Pete replaces MARY BAYNES who left in October after about 18 months as ND.

Lots of action this week on the ND front. We’ll recap it all this weekend in our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, December 11, 2023 UPDATE:

We’re always delighted to report a news director moving into a general manager job, and that’s the case today.

Gregory

BRIAN GREGORY, who’s been the news director for Nexstar’s KDVR/KWGN-TV (FOX/CW) in Denver is headed to Norfolk to be the general manager at Tegna’s WVEC-TV (ABC). More in this Tegna news release. Brian’s been the ND in Denver for more than six years following four years as the ND for KWCH-TV (Gray-CBS) in Wichita. He’s also worked in Sacramento, Knoxville, and Erie, PA.

More this weekend in our full newsletter.

regards,

 

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Just ONE new ND named this week, and ONE surprising new opening in Louisiana.

So our list of stations with ND openings remains at 31.

Just ONE Paid Help Wanted ad, that for a an ND opening in Upstate New York.

There are TWO obituaries for newswomen (one current, one former) who died far too young.

There a new GM in Lexington who’s also an old GM in Lexington. And he’s got a BIG mess to fix.

Hopefully the THIRD time is a charm as some moron (me!) will once again try to accurately tell you about a new Assistant ND in Miami.

And we’ve got a story about a worthwhile project at Indiana University driven by a two-time former news director.

All that and more below.

SciLine briefing: Loneliness and longevity in older adults

December 18th from 1-2 p.m. ET

  • A quarter of Americans aged 65 and older are socially isolated, and those over age 50 are at greater risk of becoming lonely. Earlier this year, the U.S. Surgeon General released an advisory calling loneliness and isolation urgent public health threats. SciLine’s next briefing will cover the latest research on the links between social connections and physical and mental health for older adults, including studies that show loneliness in this age group can adversely affect heart function, cognitive health, and even lifespan. Three panelists will make short presentations and then take questions on the record. 
  • Panelists:
  • Dr. Julianne Holt-Lunstad, Brigham Young University
  • Dr. Ashwin Kotwal, University of California, San Francisco
  • Dr. Karen Fingerman, University of Texas at Austin
  • SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate the briefing.

REGISTER TODAY

Upcoming expert-interview availability (Zoom):

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, arranges 1-on-1, broadcast-quality interview opportunities with articulate scientists. Reporters can book 15 mins with them via Zoom or request a SciLine interview clip for your use. SciLine also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

Newly Named News Directors:

Vinkler

WKBN/WYTV, Youngstown, OH…JASON VINKLER has been promoted to ND for this Nexstar operation. Jason’s worked here since 2003, except for a four year detour to WIVB-TV in Buffalo. He’s been the Assistant ND the last eight years and succeeds MITCH DAVIS who stepped down for health reasons. Nexstar owns WKBN (CBS) and provides services to WYTV (ABC) which is owned by Vaughan Media.

New News Director Openings:

Shelley

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA…JONATHAN SHELLEY resigned on Friday as the news director for this Manship owned ABC affiliate. He’d been the news director there since September 2022, following long stints as news director at WPTA-TV in Ft. Wayne (2016-2022) and WDSU-TV in New Orleans (2007-2016). He’s also worked in Oklahoma City, Las Vegas, Milwaukee and Ft, Myers, FL.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WHEC-TV, Hubbard Broadcasting, Rochester, NY:

Opportunity for an experienced news leader with history of success in leading broadcast and digital news operations. We emphasize in depth and investigative reporting, first to alert weather coverage, overwhelming response to breaking news, and growing digital services.

A strong leader is sought to help grow our leadership position and work with some of the most talented investigative reporters anywhere. If you join us, you will direct execution of our news strategic plan and continue to improve the plan while working with talented and supportive fellow department heads. The successful candidate must motivate and inspire high performers and be an effective teacher — this is the first TV news job for some team members.

Rochester was high-tech before the term was coined. Intellectual capital that once drove Kodak, Xerox, and Bausch and Lomb has created hundreds of new tech enterprises. Today Rochester is the optics industry capital of America. Two large research universities, smaller colleges, and superior health care are the foundation of a mid-sized city with attributes of larger cities. Lake Ontario and the Finger Lakes are the core of recreational gems. Surprisingly, the cost of purchasing housing is among the lowest in the Northeast.

Yes, there is snow. We know what to do with it.

To learn more about Rochester and News10NBC, please watch this 1:20 video:

To learn more about this remarkable opportunity and to apply, please see the full job description here:

Questions? Please contact Michael Hammond, Recruiting Manager, Hubbard Broadcasting: mhammond@hbi.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC/KVEA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/8/23)
WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN (listed 10/22/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 11/5/23)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 11/12/23)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (listed 11/5/23)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 11/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 11/5/23)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)
WJHL-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 10/1/23)
KBMT-TV, Beaumont, TX (listed 11/5/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Special Projects EP, relisted 10/29/23)
WPIX-TV, New York, NY (Sports EP, listed 12/3/23)
KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/22/23)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 12/10/23)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, listed 12/3/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WSNN-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 10/8/23)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 11/12/23)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 10/22/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 11/5/23)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (listed 11/12/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 10/22/23)
WRTV, Indianapolis IN (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 10/8/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 10/8/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 11/5/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 11/5/23)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 11/5/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Digital EP, listed 11/12/23)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/12/23)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 10/22/23)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 12/10/23)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 11/12/23)
WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA (listed 11/5/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 11/12/23)
WKEF-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 12/3/23)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (listed 10/22/23)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 10/22/23)

MANAGING EDITOR, DIGITAL, NEW MEDIA:

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 11/12/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/10/23:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)

Relisted 11/5/23:

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Obituaries:

Garza

A celebration of life will be held after the holidays for SARAH GARZA who died unexpectedly in Dallas on Thursday. She was 55. Sarah held news management positions at stations in Seattle and Dallas before leaving TV almost five years ago. She was married to consultant and former news director (Dallas, Seattle, Des Moines) MARK GINTHER, who posted this item on Facebook Friday morning.

Smith

And funeral services were held Saturday, December 9, 2023 for AURORA (RORY) NELSON SMITH who died suddenly November 18th. She had just married about two months ago and, about the same time, started a new job as an executive producer for Fox’s WTTG-TV in Washington. You can learn much more about Rory, her life and career by checking out this obituary.

Names in the News:

Do you know how embarrassing it is to have to correct a correction? If not, ask me!

Turner

In Friday’s UPDATE, we tried…tried…to correct a mistake from Sunday’s newsletter regarding the new Assistant ND at WFOR-TV (CBS) in Miami. And we failed. Miserably. The correct name is ELIZABETH TURNER, who joins the o-and-o from the CBS Evening News where she was a Senior Broadcast Producer. Elizabeth spent eleven years at the network, following a career in local news that included stops in several markets.

Conway

In a project driven by a former TV news director turned professor, Indiana University is trying to preserve television video archives from stations around the state. MIKE CONWAY, who’d been an ND in Traverse City, MI and Erie, PA, is now a professor of journalism history at IU. Much more details about this worthwhile effort in this story. Would be great to see more states try to do something like this.

General Manager News and Notes:

Mossman

CHRIS MOSSMAN returns to Lexington, KY, this time as General Manager for Morris Multimedia’s WTVQ-TV (ABC). Earlier in his career he was GM for WKYT-TV (CBS) there. Details in this story from the local newspaper (free registration may be required). I’m guessing high on his ‘to-do’ list will be fixing this catastrophic issue.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 10, 2023:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
WDIV-TV 550 W Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48226
KOVR/KMAX-TV 2713 Kovr Dr West Sacramento CA 95605
WCNC-TV 1001 Wood Ridge Cntr. Dr. Charlotte, NC 28217
WRAL-TV 2619 Western Boulevard Raleigh NC 27606
KSDK-TV 1000 Market Street St. Louis, MO 63101 (Director of Content)
WLOS-TV 110 Technology Drive Asheville, NC 28803
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy 2, Jacksonville, FL, 32224
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl. Richmond, VA 23236
WRGB-TV 1400 Balltown Rd. Schenectady, NY 12309
WHEC-TV 191 East Ave, Rochester, NY 14604 (see ad above!)
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
KLKN-TV 3240 South 10th Street Lincoln, NE 68502 (Exec. ND)
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Avenue Medford, OR 97504
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
WTOK-TV 815 23rd Ave. Meridian, MS 39301
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

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