July 10, 2022
Friday, July 15, 2022 UPDATE:
Greetings:
A new news director in a top 15 market, and more details about the passing of legendary Missouri broadcaster and educator KENT COLLINS in this update.
Oliphant
KENNAN OLIPHANT has been promoted to news director at Scripps’ WXYZ-TV (ABC) in Detroit. He’s been the interim ND since JEFF KIERNAN left to become GM for the company’s KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas in June. Kennan joined the station as Assistant ND almost two years ago. WXYZ GM MIKE MURRI shared the news with the staff via this email which details Kennan’s background, as does his Linkedin page.
Collins
And we have more on the passing of longtime Missouri School of Journalism faculty member…and two time KOMU-TV News Director…KENT COLLINS. Kent died Wednesday after a five month fight with pancreatic cancer. He was 74.
KOMU aired this story on its 6:00 PM newscast last night, which includes interviews with Kent, while the University owned Columbia Missourian (a daily, general circulation newspaper), has this nicely detailed story.
As we reported yesterday, Kent did not want a funeral, but the family plans a celebration of life later this year.
One more personal note. Thanks to the dozens of you who sent a kind note about the loss of my good friend, and many of the notes contained an anecdote about Kent, all, of course, positive. And the outpouring of positive comments on social media were amazing. Would that we all could leave such a great legacy.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Thursday, July 14, 2022 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Kent Collins 1948-2022
I’ve very sorry to report the death of a longtime journalist and educator who helped mold the careers of thousands of journalists, not only in this country, but around the world.
KENT COLLINS, who spent almost 40 years on the faculty of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, died this morning after a five month battle with pancreatic cancer at the age of 74. He was diagnosed in February and began the first of two chemotherapy regimens in March. He was hospitalized for the last week or so.
His oldest son JUSTIN posted this heartfelt remembrance to Facebook about an hour ago.
Kent served as broadcast department chair from 2000 until his retirement in 2018. He twice served as news director for the University’s NBC affiliate, KOMU-TV. He also consulted news organizations in many foreign countries.
But he continued working part-time, coordinating recruiting visits from broadcast companies who came to campus everything spring and hired most of the graduating seniors, which gave him great pleasure.
Kent’s journalism school biography details some of his background. He’s a 1970 graduate of the journalism school, and had also worked at stations in Quincy, IL, Denver, and New Orleans.
And Dean DAVID KURPIUS sent this note to faculty this morning.
I know that many of you did not know Kent, but when you look around your newsroom (or remember past colleagues), you will almost certainly find people who valued his counsel and learned from him.
If you will allow me a personal note, Kent has been one of my closest friends and confidants for more than 40 years. My wife and I had lunch with Kent and Bee in early May, and I returned two weeks ago. His condition had deteriorated during that time. But even so, our discussion at that last lunch centered around his true loves (after family): news, journalism, Missouri, and baseball.
We went to St. Louis Cardinals games every year, and a few of you reading this joined us on those trips.
Kent will be cremated. At his request, there will be no funeral, but the family plans a memorial celebration of life later this year.
Until then, please join me in sending our prayer and thoughts to Bee, sons Justin and Jeremy, his daughter Summer, the rest of his family, friends and colleagues.
With sad regards,
Rick Gevers
Tuesday, July 12, 2022 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Aslam
Late Monday afternoon, WABC-TV in New York posted a story on its website detailing the passing of its news director, REHAN ASLAM. He died Saturday after a battle with brain cancer.
Here’s the story.
Our sympathy to his family, co-workers, and friends.
regards,
Rick Gevers
Monday, July 11, 2022 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another news director change at a CBS owned station.
Gerrow
KATHY GERROW was just announced as the next Vice Presdient and News Director for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. It’s a return to KYW for Kathy, who spent 13 years (1983-1996) as a producer there before crossing the street to become an EP for NBC’s WCAU-TV. She was promoted to Assistant ND there about ten years ago.
More in this news release.
Wilson
Kathy replaces JOHN WILSON, who’s been the ND here since late 2017 and has worked at the station for almost 20 years.
John joined the station in 2003 as an EP, was promoted to assistant news director in 2010, and ascended to the top job in November, 2017. He began his career as a reporter, as you’ll learn in his station bio.
We’ll have all the week’s changes in our full newsletter this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
A holiday shortened week leaves just ONE ND change, but the top story of the week is a sad one from New York.
REHAN ASLAM, the news director for WABC-TV in New York, died yesterday after fighting brain cancer. He was diagnosed shortly after taking the WABC job in April, 2021. He’d previously been the ND for ABCs’ KTRK-TV in Houston.
I’ve not been able to find any details on the WABC website (or anywhere else) other than Facebook posts. Here’s an example:
I’ll update my website when I find a more detailed story.
On to our normal business:
Just ONE newly named news director this week, and NO new openings.
Our list of open jobs has 35 openings on it.
ONE of those 35 openings is advertised in one of THREE Paid Help Wanted ads.
Our only general manager item this week is the pending retirement of a longtime Knoxville GM.
In Names in the News, Nexstar hires internally to being a training program for news producers, and there’s a new Assistant ND in Minneapolis.
Those stories and more as you read on.
Newly Named News Director:
Slate
KBZK/KXLF-TV, Butte/Bozeman, MT…JUDY SLATE has been named news director for these Scripps’ owned ABC stations. It’s a return to KBZK for Judy, who spent seven years there as a reporter, producer, and anchor. More details in this story from the station website. She replaces REBECCA GAYLORD who left the stations earlier this year after three years as news director.
New News Director Openings:
To my knowledge, no new openings this week.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:
Sometimes you have to hit pause and take a beat to get it right.
That’s what we did.
Now, we have a *NEW* General Manager in place – and we are ready to hit play!
#NexstarNation has an immediate opening for an experienced NEWS DIRECTOR in Salt Lake City – Market #29. The right candidate will lead a team of committed journalists, collaborate to create market strategy, and impact not only the station, but also the community. We believe in local, local, local.
Salt Lake City is one of the fastest growing DMAs in the United States. The state boasts the youngest population in the country. Living in Salt Lake City means easy access to world class hiking, climbing, bike trails and some of the best ski resorts in the world.
It’s an incredible time to be a News Director. Why not do it with the nation’s largest TV ownership group, in a city full of opportunities, in a company with endless opportunities?
Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL:
WINK News-Southwest Florida’s news leader has an immediate opening for an Executive Producer. We are looking for a newsroom leader. The right candidate will lead with integrity, have sound judgement, high journalistic and newsgathering standards. Script reading for editorial approval an extremely important attribute. They must foster a collaborative environment that respects each individual and role. Must have strong organizational abilities and is capable of working and managing others in a fast paced newsroom. 5 years of experience in a television newsroom preferred.
Southwest Florida is often praised as being one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world with miles of white-sand beaches and a dynamic community. Broadcast Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are a drug-free and smoke-free environment.
Send resume to: Rich.garcia@winknews.com
Executive Producer of Digital Content, WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL:
WINK-TV News – Fort Myers/Naples has a unique opening for an Executive Producer of Digital Content.
Ready to take your broadcast experience to the digital level?
The Executive Producer of Digital Content will oversee our day-to-day content digital news content. You will oversee and work with a team of digital producers and digital director to drive the content on all of our platforms, this includes the WINK news website, apps, push alerts, and social media.
The right candidate will have some of the following qualities:
- Identifying local news stories and producing them for our various digital platforms
Lead the digital team in breaking news, emergency situations and severe weather coverage digitally.
Display strong organizational skills.
Edit content and copy edit spelling and grammar.
Maintain and update online publishing tools and refine workflow processes as needed
Coach digital and news teams to “think digitally” when crafting content on a daily basis.
Meet with other platform leaders to form a synergistic relationship in content sharing
Establish goals and drive digital strategy forward.
Perform other duties as assigned.
Skills:
- Familiarity with the AP print writing style
Knowledge of web scripting practices is recommended but not required
Working knowledge of video production and post production techniques and software
Familiarity with live streaming products and software
Being familiar with various social platform details
Attention to detail pertaining to spelling and grammar
Ability to work in a fast-paced dynamic newsroom
Experience:
Management experience in a television newsroom of 3 years or more required
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 7/10/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 7/10/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 7/10/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 7/3/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTVT-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX (AM EP, listed 7/10/22)
WUSA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 7/10/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (MSP EP, listed 7/10/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/3/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 7/10/22)
KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City (Overnight EP, listed 7/3/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 7/10/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
WINK-TV, Fort Myers, FL (2 openings, listed 7/10/22) (See TWO ads above!)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (listed 6/26/22)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (listed 6/26/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **
SUPERVISING PRODUCER:
KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 7/10/22:
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (Director of Digital Content)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (Digital News Manager)
Listed 7/3/22:
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 6/26/22:
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 6/12/22:
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 5/30/22:
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)
Listed 5/15/22:
Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)
Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 5/15/22:
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)
Obituaries:
We reported on the death of WABC-TV ND REHAN ASLAM above.
Names in the News:
Hicks
Nexstar reached into its ranks to fill a new position, Director of News Training. KELLY HICKS, currently the morning EP for WDAF-TV (FOX) in Kansas City, will implement a training program for newscast producers. She’s worked at WDAF for six years, and has also produced for several other Kansas City stations, and in Sacramento, Indianapolis, Cedar Rapids and Columbia, MO.
Sukhram
Hubbard’s KSTP/KSTC-TV (ABC/independent) in Minneapolis has promoted DAREN SUKHRAM has been promoted to Assistant News Director. He’s currently the managing editor for the stations, and has worked there since 2014. He also spent four years working at Hubbard’s KAAL-TV in Austin, MN. Daren’s worked for another Twin Cities station and in Cedar Rapids, and Mason City, IA.
Quick hits:
Longtime Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER is slowing down a bit, giving up his daily column but will still maintain his website. Feder explains his change of pace (after 42 years!) in this column.
General Manager News and Notes:
Davis
Longtime Knoxville General Manager NEAL DAVIS has announced his retirement effective August 5th. He’s currently GM for Lockwood’s WTNZ/WKNX-TV (Fox/Independent) but earlier in his career ran WBXX-TV (CW) in Knoxville. In between he served as general manager for KAKE-TV (ABC) in Wichita. More from TVNewsCheck.com.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 10, 2022:
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
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KTVT/KTVA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WXYZ-TV 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104 (see ad above!)
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHAM-TV 4225 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt Street Rochester, NY 14610
KAGS-TV 2800 South Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77802
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston, SC 29414
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WJBF-TV 1336 Augusta W Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
**: Spanish language station