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.)
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