Rick Gevers & Associates

September 17, 2017

Greetings:

Sad news tonight from Albuquerque, where KRQE-TV is mourning the loss of its helicopter pilot, BOB MARTIN, who died yesterday when the station’s chopper went down.

Here’s the link to the station’s coverage of the crash.

UPDATE 9/18/18:  The station aired this tribute to Martin.

Our sympathy to the staff of KRQE and to the family and friends of pilot Martin.

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

On to our normal business…

TWO newly named news directors this week…and just ONE new opening. That leaves our list of open ND jobs at 26.

ONE of those open jobs is featured among our TWO Paid Help Wanted Ads. And the other ad is for a recruiting position at CNN, which, I’m guessing, will appeal to a lot of you.

TWO top 25 market stations have filled open management jobs: we’ll tell you who filled those below.

We tell you about the good news for a Los Angeles Assistant ND who’s moving to a GM job at a market six NBC o-and-o. And there are a few other GM moves, as well.

And we have TWO obituaries, including one for a five-time news director.

All that and more below!

New News Director Openings: 

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…BRIAN GREGORY heads west to be reunited with GM JOAN BARRETT at Tribune’s KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver. He was ND here for 4+ years.  More on his move below.

Newly Named News Directors: 

WNEU-TV, Boston, MA…DAMARIS BONILLA moves within Telemundo to become ND for its Boston station. She has been the Assistant ND for WWSI-TV in Philadelphia. Damaris will be replaced as Philly’s Assistant ND by ANA HERNÁNDEZ RAMOS.

Gregory

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO…you learned from our mid-week update that BRIAN GREGORY will be the next ND for this Tribune owned FOX/CW duopoly. The move reunites him with GM JOAN BARRETT: they worked together in Wichita at KWCH-TV. Here’s the memo Brian sent his staff at KWCH, and here’s the press release from KDVR. He’s also worked in Sacramento, Knoxville, and Erie, PA, where he began as a part-time photographer. Brian replaces HOLLY GAUNTT who crossed the street (literally in this case: the stations are across from each other on Speer Blvd.) earlier this summer.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Director, Talent Recruitment & Development, CNN, New York, NY:

CNN is looking for a Director, Talent Recruitment & Development to work with the VP, Talent Recruitment & Development to plan, lead, and execute the talent acquisition strategy for CNN Worldwide. The emphasis is “off-air” talent which includes producers (EPs, Sr. Producers, show producers, field producers, AP’s, PA’s, booking producers), writers and digital journalists at all levels.

Responsibilities:

Coordinate with Executive Producers, CNN’s Senior Leadership and HR to assess current and future talent needs, then develop a network and pipeline of talented individuals.

Assess, guide, coach and develop talented producers to optimize growth potential, internal
opportunities, and succession planning efforts.

Develop editorial talent pipelines with a key focus on diversity and inclusion.

Scout, evaluate and recruit talented producers through partnership with industry organizations, on-going event attendance, marketplace development and networking, and all other available sources.

Design, coordinate and facilitate producer and digital workshops and work on other special projects as assigned.

Requirements:

– 7-10+ years of newsroom experience preferably as a producer or booker
– Clear passion for news and all that CNN represents
– Ability to evaluate and coach editorial talent at all levels
– Commitment to diversity and inclusion
– Knowledge and understanding of industry organizations and the scope of differing roles across local market and network levels
– Proven negotiator with the ability to understand the importance of a good match
between candidate and role
– Commitment to professionalism, confidentiality and good judgement

Click here to apply.

News Director, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL, Quincy Media’s successful NBC affiliate in Waterloo, Iowa, is seeking a veteran, dynamic leader for its news operation.

KWWL serves Iowa’s second largest DMA. We need someone who can train, coach and inspire our journalists to create and deliver great stories in a multi-platform environment. Our next news director must know the importance of delivering on the brand promise and forging a strong connection with our viewers and users to grow ratings.

Responsibilities:

* Foster a performance culture with an emphasis on winning, excellence and innovation.
* Communicate the vision and strategy to newsroom and provide the daily direction on major stories, weather events and breaking news.
* Ensure ethical, balanced presentation through compliance with Quincy Media policy, FCC policy, federal and state laws, industry standards and our brand promise.
* Strong recruiter and team builder
* Prepare and execute annual newsroom financial plan.

Qualifications:

* Broad understanding of newsroom operations and equipment.
* Advanced oral and written communication skills.
* Proven leadership which empowers others. Ability to resolve conflict quickly and directly.
* 3-5 years’ experience in newsroom management.
* Strategic thinking – can identify market opportunities and capitalize on them.
* Demonstrated team builder

KWWL is proud to be a Quincy Media station. Learn why our family owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best companies to work for in our industry by visiting: www.careersatquincy.com.

Send your resume via email to: jmckernan@kwwl.com

Jim McKernan
Vice President & General Manager
KWWL Television, Inc.
511 East Fifth Street
Waterloo, IA 50703

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (new listing this week)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 9/3/17)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (listed 9/10/17)
WICS-TV, Springfield, IL (relisted 8/6/17)
KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA (relisted 7/23/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (EP opening, listing modified 9/10/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM & PM EPs, listed 8/6/17)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (AM & Senior EPs, listed 9/10/17
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC: (Raleigh newsroom mgr., listed 7/23/17)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (relisted 8/13/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/13/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & PM jobs, listing revised 8/6/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listing modified 8/20/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 8/13/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 9/3/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted this week)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/13/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, listed 8/20/17)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 9/10/17)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 7/23/17)

Obituary:

Kelly

I’m sorry to report that KEVIN KELLY died last Tuesday, after a year long fight with cancer. Arrangements are detailed in this post from Kevin’s Facebook page by one of his three sons, Brendan. Kevin’s last job in TV was as Managing Editor for WGHP-TV in High Point, NC. He was an ND in Raleigh, NC (two stations), Portland, ME, Greenville, SC, and Dayton. Kevin began his career with Armed Forces Radio & TV in South Korea, worked for newspapers, then radio, and TV as an anchor/reporter in Springfield, MA. He also worked in Charleston, SC.

UPDATED: Here’s an updated obituary.

Long-ago KENS-TV (San Antonio, TX) General Manager WAYNE KEARL died September 6th, less than two months short of his 99th birthday. Details about his life and career in this obituary.

Names in the News (and other items):

KGO-TV (ABC’s o-and-o in San Francisco) promoted MARTIN ORTIZ to morning and midday executive producer. He’s produced the late news there for the last two years, and has produced other newscasts there before. He also was a producer at KFSN-TV in Fresno when KGO ND TRACEY WATKOWSKI was the ND there.

JUSTIN BURTON joins KOIN-TV in Portland, OR, as its Assistant ND. He’s currently the Assistant ND for KERO-TV in Bakersfield. Before that, Justin worked on the assignment desk at KTLA-TV in Los Angeles and at KGW-TV in Portland where he worked with KOIN news director RICH KURZ.

General Manager News & Notes:

Owen

Longtime readers know we delight in reporting news directors moving to GM jobs. Imagine how pleased we are to report that an assistant news director is making the move in a top ten market! Congratulations to STACY OWEN who’s been named GM for NBC’s KNTV/KSTS-TV in San Francisco. She’s currently the AND for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles but knows the Bay Area well, having spent 14 years at KRON-TV, three as ND there. She’s also been an ND in Cincinnati and Sacramento and has worked in San Luis Obispo and Yuma. More here.

AUDRA SWAIN returns to Baltimore as GM for CBS’s WJZ-TV. She’s currently GM for Sinclair’s KSNV-TV in Las Vegas, but earlier in her career was Sales Manager for another Baltimore station. More from the Baltimore Sun.

BILL POPLIN has been named GM for WPGX-TV, the Raycom owned station in Panama City, FL.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 17, 2017:

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 Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 **
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 1 Media Crossways, Woodbury, NY 11791
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook, NY 10573
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan St Ste 1900. Dallas TX 75201 **
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WCCO-TV 90 S 11th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road. Sacramento, CA 95820
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento CA 95815 **
WZZM-TV 645 Three Mile Grand Rapids, MI 49544
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North, Wichita, KS 67219
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003
KWWL-TV 500 East Fourth St. Waterloo, IA 50703 (see ad above!)
WJTV 1820 Tv Rd, Jackson, MS 39204
WNDU-TV 54516 IN-933, South Bend, IN 46637
WHBF-TV 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201
WFXG-TV P.O. Box 204540 Augusta, GA 30917
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd, Lafayette, LA 70506
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd, Monroe, LA 71201
WIFR-TV 2523 N Meridian Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32653
KTMF-TV 2200 Stephens Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, Montana, 59403

**: Spanish language station

September 10, 2017

Monday, September 11, 2017 UPDATE:

A new news director today in Denver.

Gregory

BRIAN GREGORY was just announced as the next ND for Tribune’s KDVR/KWGN-TV, the FOX/CW duopoly there. Here’s the news release announcing his appointment.

Brian is currently the ND for KWCH-TV in Wichita, the CBS affiliate there. The move reunites him with General Manager JOAN BARRETT: she hired Brian as ND for KWCH when she ran that station.

He’s a former EP for KOVR-TV in Sacramento and has also worked in Knoxville and Erie, PA.

At KDVR/KWGN, Brian replaces HOLLY GAUNTT who left the station earlier this summer to become ND for Scripps’ KMGH-TV, literally across the street in Denver.

More on this story…and all the week’s news…in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Always great to see some of you at RTDNA, though, to be honest, would liked to have seen more of you.

We do have a lot to tell you about this week. TWO new news director openings, and THREE newly named NDs. All have been NDs somewhere before.

We count 26 news director openings…the full list is below.

TWO of those open ND jobs are featured in paid help wanted ads below.

We have LOTS of items in Names in the News. We’ll recap some RTDNA news, let you read about a meteorologist who’s become a big hit on social media, tell you about some news managers on the move, and link to a commentary that Rush Limbaugh fans won’t like.

And there’s one obituary of a long-ago University of Missouri School of Journalism faculty member.

Hope your NFL team won today!

New News Directors Openings: 

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA…we told you late Wednesday night that ED CHAPUIS will leave this Tribune owned FOX affiliate to become ND at KGTV in San Diego. More details below.

WNDU-TV, South Bend, IN…after just a few months on the job, JESSICA LASZEWSKI returns to Wisconsin to become ND for sister Gray station KMTV in Madison. We’ll explain the move below.

Newly Named News Directors: 

KGTV, San Diego, CA…as noted above, and in a mid-week UPDATE, ED CHAPUIS gets his FOURTH Calfornia ND job as he takes over this Scripps owned ABC affiliate. Ed’s been the ND for Tribune’s KTXL-TV in Sacramento for the past four years. He’s also been ND for KTVU-TV in San Francisco/Oakland, KCRA-TV in Sacramento, and KTNV in Las Vegas. His first job was on the desk in his hometown of Chicago. At KGTV, Ed replaces TIFFANI LUPENSKI who left the station after 2 1/2 years as ND.

Laszewski

WMTV, Madison, WI…we told you above that JESSICA LASZEWSKI returns to Wisconsin as ND for this Gray TV owned NBC affiliate. She spent three years as ND for Gray’s WSAW-TV in Wausaw before taking the ND job at sister station WNDU-TV in South Bend a few months ago. Apparently the lure of returning to Wisconsin was too much, As WMTV, she replaces RUSS BRUHN who’s been ND since January, 2013.  (Updated Sunday night, 9/10/17) Russ told me that WMTV was a great station with great people…but he wanted a new challenge and wanted to return to Florida.

Lowell

KMID-TV, Midland/Odessa, TX…DAVID LOWELL returns to Texas as ND for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. David spent 28 years (!) as news director for KFDM-TV in Beaumont (and a total of 34 years there) before leaving this Sinclair owned station in early 2015. He was working as an EP for KSPR-TV in Springfield, MO, before that job was eliminated in a consolidation there. He’s also worked in Oklahoma City and Columbia, MO, and replaces TYLER THOMASON who took an anchoring job at Nexstar’s Little Rock station, KARK-TV.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL, Quincy Media’s successful NBC affiliate in Waterloo, Iowa, is seeking a veteran, dynamic leader for its news operation.

KWWL serves Iowa’s second largest DMA. We need someone who can train, coach and inspire our journalists to create and deliver great stories in a multi-platform environment. Our next news director must know the importance of delivering on the brand promise and forging a strong connection with our viewers and users to grow ratings.

Responsibilities:

* Foster a performance culture with an emphasis on winning, excellence and innovation.
* Communicate the vision and strategy to newsroom and provide the daily direction on major stories, weather events and breaking news.
* Ensure ethical, balanced presentation through compliance with Quincy Media policy, FCC policy, federal and state laws, industry standards and our brand promise.
* Strong recruiter and team builder
* Prepare and execute annual newsroom financial plan.

Qualifications:

* Broad understanding of newsroom operations and equipment.
* Advanced oral and written communication skills.
* Proven leadership which empowers others. Ability to resolve conflict quickly and directly.
* 3-5 years’ experience in newsroom management.
* Strategic thinking – can identify market opportunities and capitalize on them.
* Demonstrated team builder

KWWL is proud to be a Quincy Media station. Learn why our family owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best companies to work for in our industry by visiting: www.careersatquincy.com.

Send your resume via email to: jmckernan@kwwl.com

Jim McKernan
Vice President & General Manager
KWWL Television, Inc.
511 East Fifth Street
Waterloo, IA 50703

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

News Director, WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL:

WHBF TV, the CBS affiliate in Rock Island, IL (Mkt #101) seeks a dynamic News Director to lead our team.

We’re growing, adding 2 hours to our Morning news in September and adding personnel for other shows. Terrific opportunity for experienced journalist who can lead, teach and mentor this team. Political will soon be here, meaning candidates from IA, IL and the national scene will descend upon us.

Our focus is “Local” so you need to be strong in how to put stories in context and win the big coverage events as well as weather. Strength in digital and social critical. A strong background in producing newscasts with an emphasis on local enterprise stories resulting in great storytelling is an essential skill. We need you to be hands on and hit the ground running – no desk jockey!

The Quad Cities is an exceptional place to live and raise a family. Strong family values in a picturesque Midwest setting with the mighty Mississippi River rolling through the heart of it all, bordering IA and IL. Active communities with festivals and activities for all. Home of John Deere World HQ, Arconic, and Rock Island Arsenal (1st Army) along with the John Deere Classic PGA Event, plus voted #1 Minor League Baseball Park in the nation.

If you eat, breathe and sleep news, click here to send resume and letter detailing why you are uniquely qualified to lead our team.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 9/3/17)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (new listing this week)
WICS-TV, Springfield, IL (relisted 8/6/17)
KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA (relisted 7/23/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 7/9/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (EP opening, listing modified this week)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM & PM EPs, listed 8/6/17)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (AM & Senior EPs, new listing this week)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC: (Raleigh newsroom mgr., listed 7/23/17)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (relisted 8/13/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/13/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & PM jobs, listing revised 8/6/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, relisted 8/13/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 8/13/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 9/3/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 7/2/17)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/13/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, listed 8/20/17)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted this week)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 7/23/17)

Obituary:

Ferrell

DON FERRELL, whose career focused mainly on newspapers and journalism education, died August 1st at the age of 83. Don died of natural causes, though he had suffered from dementia for a few years. He qualifies for the newsletter due to a brief stint in the mid 70’s as the Assignment Editor for KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO, while on the faculty of the Missouri School of Journalism, where we worked together. Learn more about his life and career here.

Names in the News (and other items):

Sealls

We rarely use this space to tout accomplishments of our clients, but one has gained quite a bit of attention this week for his calm presentation of the hurricane situation. Longtime client and friend ALAN SEALLS, chief meteorologist at WKRG-TV in Mobile, topped Reddit’s front page (full disclosure…I’m not familiar with Reddit!), including a “Best Weatherman Ever” post. His video, posted on YouTube, has gained almost 4 1/2 million hits. It was a big enough deal to warrant this article in the Washington Post. Congratulations, Alan.

If you’ve ever wanted to see the words “Rush Limbaugh” and idiot in the same article, please click here.

Brooks

ANDRE BROOKS joins WKOW-TV in Madison, WI, as Senior Executive Producer. He most recently was a morning EP for WGCL-TV in Atlanta. He’s also worked in Denver, Dallas, San Diego, Dayton, Norfolk, Jacksonville, and Reno, NV.

NEIL WOULFE rejoins ND FRED D’AMBROSI. He’ll be Fred’s morning EP at WOIO/WUAB-TV in Cleveland. It’s the third time they’ve worked together. Neil most recently worked at WMAQ-TV in Chicago, and has also worked in Los Angeles, Milwaukee, Raleigh-Durham, and Green Bay.

Some RTDNA items:

Walsh

Congratulations to Nexstar’s JERRY WALSH who was chosen Chair-Elect of RTDNA at this week’s convention. Jerry will oversee planning for next year’s convention and eventually succeed SCOTT LIBIN who took over as chair at the end of this conference. Here’s more on Jerry’s election and responsibilities, as well as results of the elections for director positions.

Not listed is the appointment of KMOV-TV (St. Louis) News Director SCOTT DIENER to fill a vacant spot as region 5 director. Congrats and best wishes to all.

Speaking of RTDNA, three others were honored. Outgoing executive director MIKE CAVENDER, longtime treasurer LOREN TOBIA, and Membership and Program KAREN HANSEN were all feted for their service to the organization, as you’ll read here.

Esposito

One last RTDNA-related item. Past Chair ED ESPOSITO is retiring to Florida at the end of the year after 19 1/2 years with Akron, OH, based Rubber City Radio. His most recent duties there were as Vice President for Information Media. Ed’s also been filling in as treasurer of RTDNF. Old friends can wish him well via email to: edward.esposito@gmail.com.

Speaking of retirement, longtime Missouri professor ROGER GAFKE is retiring after more than 40 years at the school. He’s been ND for KBIA-FM, department chair, and assistant dean and also Vice President of Development for the entire campus. He touched the lives of hundreds of students, some of whom you’ve probably worked with. More here. Your kind note would reach him at gafker@missouri.edu.

The late CHRIS MANSON, who was a group ND for Sinclair, will be remembered in a run/walk later this month. More from his Sinclair colleague LANE MICHAELSEN:

His wife Lindy is encouraging people to donate to the charity of their choice in Chris’s honor. As you know, Chris courageously fought cancer but lost his battle a few weeks ago. To honor Chris, the Sinclair Corporate News Team is participating in the Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk on September 24th. If you’d like to support this effort please click here to donate to the Manson Milers.

General Manager News & Notes:

Raponi

Boston General Manager TOM RAPONI (WFXT-TV) will retire at the end of 2017. He’s been the GM for this Cox owned FOX affiliate for 2+ years, formerly ran (what was then) Cox’s KTVU-TV in Oakland/San Francisco, and has been with the company 22 years. More here.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 10, 2017:

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 Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 ***
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 1 Media Crossways, Woodbury, NY 11791
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook, NY 10573
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan St Ste 1900. Dallas TX 75201 **
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WCCO-TV 90 S 11th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KTXL-TV 4655 Fruitridge Road. Sacramento, CA 95820
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento CA 95815 **
WZZM-TV 645 Three Mile Grand Rapids, MI 49544
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003
KWWL-TV 500 East Fourth St. Waterloo, IA 50703 (see ad above!)
WJTV 1820 Tv Rd, Jackson, MS 39204
WNDU-TV 54516 IN-933, South Bend, IN 46637
WHBF-TV 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201 (see ad above!)
WFXG-TV P.O. Box 204540 Augusta, GA 30917
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd, Lafayette, LA 70506
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd, Monroe, LA 71201
WIFR-TV 2523 N Meridian Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32653
KTMF-TV 2200 Stephens Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, Montana, 59403

**: Spanish language station

September 3, 2017

Wednesday, September 6th, 2017 UPDATE:

A veteran news director gets his FOURTH ND job in California.

Chapuis

ED CHAPUIS will be the next news boss for KGTV, the Scripps ABC affiliate in San Diego. He heads south from his current job at KTXL-TV, Tribune’s FOX affiliate in Sacramento.

Here’s the email from GM JOEL DAVIS (himself a one-time KGTV news director) to the staff and here’s the news release from Scripps.

Ed’s a former ND at KTVU-TV in Oakland/San Francisco and KCRA-TV in Sacramento, as well as at KTNV in Las Vegas. He began his career on the Assignment Desk at WMAQ-TV in his hometown of Chicago.

At KGTV, he replaces TIFFANI LUPENSKI who left the station last month after 2 1/2 years as ND.

And we have information about a memorial for CHRIS MANSON, the Group ND for Sinclair who died last month. I got this note from his Sinclair colleague LANE MICHAELSEN:

His wife Lindy is encouraging people to donate to the charity of their choice in Chris’s honor. As you know, Chris courageously fought cancer but lost his battle a few weeks ago. To honor Chris, the Sinclair Corporate News Team is participating in the Zero Prostate Cancer Run/Walk on September 24th. If you’d like to support this effort please click here to donate to the Manson Milers.

Hope to see many of you in Anaheim for RTDNA this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

I hope you’re enjoying a holiday weekend. And I hope to see many of you in Anaheim later this week for the RTDNA/NAHJ/EIJ convention. I’ll be there from Wednesday night until Saturday afternoon.

We have a fair amount of activity for a week leading into a holiday, with FOUR newly named news directors and THREE new openings, including two at Spanish language stations.

So…our list of open ND jobs drops to 25.

One of those 25 open ND jobs is featured (again) as our only Paid Help Wanted Ads.

We have a few changes to our list of open news management jobs, a handful of names in the news, and one GM change.

If you’re lucky enough to be off tomorrow, enjoy the holiday!

New News Directors Openings: 

KUVN-TV, Dallas, TX…SAMUEL BELILTY is leaving one Univsion station for another. You’ll learn below he’s headed to WLTV in Miami.

KUVS-TV, Sacramento, CA…speaking of Univision, PABLO IACUB has left this station. More from Media Moves.

KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA…SHANE MORELAND is leaving this Quincy owned NBC affiliate to become ND for WRIC-TV in Richmond, VA. More on his move below.

Newly Named News Directors: 

WLTV, Miami, FL…this Univision station named SAMUEL BELILTY as ND. He’s been the ND for Univision’s Dallas station, as you’ll learn here.

Chism

WGAL-TV, Lancaster/Harrisburg, PA…as happens often with Hearst stations, the ND job here was filled with a transfer. In this case, MICHELLE CHISM get the gig. She’s been the Assistant ND at Hearst’s WBAL-TV in Baltimore for the past 2 1/2 years. Here’s the memo from GM KYLE GRIMES. Michelle’s also worked in Austin, TX, Little Rock, and Kansas City. She replaces DAN O’DONNELL who moved (naturally!) to Hearst’s KMBC-TV in Kansas City.

Moreland

WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA…SHANE MORELAND returns to Virginia as ND for this Nexstar owned ABC affiliate. As noted above, he’s spent the last 3+ years as ND of KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA. Shane’s a former ND in Norfolk, Richmond, and Greenville/New Bern/Washington, NC. He’s been a GM in Bluefield, WV, and has also worked in Miami, Pittsburgh, and West Palm Beach. The move reunites him with GM LARRY COTTRILL…they worked together as GMs for different West Virginia Media stations. At WRIC, Shane replaces KELLY WOODARD who left in July after four years as ND.

Clenney

WZDX-TV, Huntsville, AL…ANDREA CLENNEY will be the next ND for this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate. More from the station’s website. Andrea most recently was ND for WGFL-TV in Gainesville. She’s been an ND for another Gainesville station, in Columbus, GA, Wilmington and Greenville, NC, and has worked in Denver, Syracuse, Orlando, Tampa, Austin, TX, and Augusta, GA. She replaces CJ HOYT who started the stand-alone news department here before returning home to be ND for WHTM-TV in Harrisburg, PA.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL:

WHBF TV, the CBS affiliate in Rock Island, IL (Mkt #101) seeks a dynamic News Director to lead our team.

We’re growing, adding 2 hours to our Morning news in September and adding personnel for other shows. Terrific opportunity for experienced journalist who can lead, teach and mentor this team. Political will soon be here, meaning candidates from IA, IL and the national scene will descend upon us.

Our focus is “Local” so you need to be strong in how to put stories in context and win the big coverage events as well as weather. Strength in digital and social critical. A strong background in producing newscasts with an emphasis on local enterprise stories resulting in great storytelling is an essential skill. We need you to be hands on and hit the ground running – no desk jockey!

The Quad Cities is an exceptional place to live and raise a family. Strong family values in a picturesque Midwest setting with the mighty Mississippi River rolling through the heart of it all, bordering IA and IL. Active communities with festivals and activities for all. Home of John Deere World HQ, Arconic, and Rock Island Arsenal (1st Army) along with the John Deere Classic PGA Event, plus voted #1 Minor League Baseball Park in the nation.

If you eat, breathe and sleep news, click here to send resume and letter detailing why you are uniquely qualified to lead our team.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (new listing this week)
WRGB-TV, Albany,NY (new listing this week)
WICS-TV, Springfield, IL (relisted 8/6/17)
KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA (relisted 7/23/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 7/9/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior AM Producer, relisted 6/25/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM & PM EPs, listed 8/6/17)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC: (Raleigh newsroom mgr., listed 7/23/17)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (relisted 8/13/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/13/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & PM jobs, listing revised 8/6/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, relisted 8/13/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 8/13/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted this week)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 7/2/17)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/13/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, listed 8/20/17)
WKOW-TV, Madison, WI (Senior EP, relisted 7/9/17)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 7/9/17)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 7/23/17)

Names in the News (and other items):

JEFF HERNDON, who most recently was the evening anchor for WFLD-TV in Chicago, returns to Wichita as the Assistant ND for KSNW-TV. Oh, and he’ll anchor the 5:00 news, too.

One time WBNG-TV News Director CANDACE CHAPMAN is leaving the station after 20 years as an anchor. She’s taking a job in public relations.

KEZI-TV in Eugene, OR, has hired LINDSAY HOUSAMAN as its new Assistant ND. She’s been an ND in Anchorage, and has worked in Richmond, Eureka, CA, and Savannah, GA.

General Manager News & Notes:

KELLY EASBY-SMITH is the new GM for KJNB-TV in Jonesboro, AR. She’s been the acting GM for this FOX/CBS duopoly owned by Waypoint Media.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 3, 2017:

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 Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 **
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 1 Media Crossways, Woodbury, NY 11791
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook, NY 10573
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan St Ste 1900. Dallas TX 75201 **
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WCCO-TV 90 S 11th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento CA 95815 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego, CA 92102
WZZM-TV 645 Three Mile Grand Rapids, MI 49544
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003
KWWL-TV 500 East Fourth St. Waterloo, IA 50703
WJTV 1820 Tv Rd, Jackson, MS 39204
WHBF-TV 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201 (see ad above!)
WFXG-TV P.O. Box 204540 Augusta, GA 30917
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd, Lafayette, LA 70506
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd, Monroe, LA 71201
WIFR-TV 2523 N Meridian Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32653
KTMF-TV 2200 Stephens Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, Montana, 59403

**= Spanish language station

August 27, 2017

Greetings:

Breaking news. (Hey, your stations say it ten times an hour…why can’t I say it once a year?)

As this is being distributed, stations in Texas are covering the impact of the record rainfall from Harvey. Here’s an interesting recap published tonight by Poynter’s AL TOMPKINS.

On to our regular content.

There are THREE newly named news directors this week with just TWO new openings, both in top 20 markets.

So…our list of open ND jobs drops to 26.

Lots of other news this week. There’s a profile of a high profile Philadelphia news director. There’s a TV station General Manager who’s considering a run for Governor of his state. Some management changes at E.W. Scripps…and a veteran news manager is on the move.

We welcome WeatherMetrics back as an advertiser. Be sure to click on their ad just below. And there’s ONE paid help wanted ad for a morning executive producer position.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

WUVG-TV, Atlanta, GA…GIANNCARLO CIFUENTES has been named a regional news director for Univision. He’s been ND here since 2011.

Caputa

WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN…we first told you on Friday that MIKE CAPUTA had left this CBS o-and-o after 6+ years as news director. Mike first joined WCCO in 2002, was named Assistant News Director in 2007, and served as the interim news director for several months before being promoted to ND in January, 2011. His departure means there are now TWO ND openings at CBS owned stations: the search continues at KYW-TV in Philadelphia for MARGARET CRONAN who left that station in July.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Ng

KTSF-TV, San Francisco, CA…ANNE NG has been promoted to news director for this Asian language station, replacing GEOFF ROTH. (updated 8/28/17) She’s worked here since 1994 and had been the Assistant ND since January.  We told you last week that Geoff was leaving for an ND job at KREX-TV in Grand Junction, CO, after about a year as ND. We learned more about that brief tenure in this note from GM MARK ANTONITIS to his staff: (MoJo is what the station calls Mobile Journalists.)

I hired Geoff to guide our transition to MoJo and to help train his replacement. When he agreed to come here Geoff knew the job was temporary and with very specific goals, all of which he has well achieved. I want to thank Geoff for all his great work and wish him all the best at KREX. I know he’ll do a fantastic job for them. That’s what he did here.

An update, as well, on KREX and the man Geoff is replacing. We told you that Geoff was replacing JORMA DURAN. We did not know at the time that Jorma is off to Lansing to anchor at sister Nexstar station WLNS-TV.

Kompos

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…ATHAN KOMPOS is the new news director for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. He’s been at the station for almost 14 years, beginning as a producer in 2003. He was promoted to Executive Producer in 2009 and has been the interim ND since June when KATE GLOVER left after just seven months as ND.

Harper

KTVA-TV, Anchorage, AL…we’re a bit tardy in reporting another promotion, that of JANIS (DEMAREST) HARPER to news director for this Denali Media Holdings owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the Assistant ND for more than four years and has worked in a number of other markets, as outlined here. Janis replaces BERT RUDMAN who left in April and is now ND for KVAL/KMTR-TV in Eugene, OR.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Morning Executive Producer, WISC-TV, Madison, WI:

Lead a team of motivated journalists devoted to serving a television and digital audience each morning. Work for a family-owned company committed to quality journalism. Live in a community constantly voted as one of the best in the country. We have a lot of offer the right candidate at WISC-TV.

Our team is focused on delivering a current, urgent and relevant newscast and serving our market-leading digital audience. As a morning executive producer you’ll lead our coverage by developing engaging content to set our news day off right. You’ll have the resources to lead and an expectation to win. We are looking for someone that not only can connect with a television audience but inspire and innovate in a digital space.

Attention to detail is critical. Experience managing teams and projects is helpful but we’re willing to look at experienced producers ready to take the next career step.

Click here to learn more and to apply.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WICS-TV, Springfield, IL (relisted 8/6/17)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/2/17)
KPLC-TV, Lake Charles, LA (relisted 7/23/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 7/9/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Senior AM Producer, relisted 6/25/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM & PM EPs, listed 8/6/17)
WOIO-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 7/2/17)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC: (Raleigh newsroom mgr., listed 7/23/17)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (relisted 8/13/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 8/13/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & PM jobs, listing revised 8/6/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, relisted 8/13/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 8/13/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 7/2/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 7/2/17)
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 8/13/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, listed 8/20/17, see ad above!)
WKOW-TV, Madison, WI (Senior EP, relisted 7/9/17)
WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (relisted 7/9/17)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 7/23/17)

Obituaries:

Shoop

Funeral services were held yesterday for WITN-TV (Greenville-Washington, NC) News Director STEPHANIE SHOOP who died August 22nd at the age of 46. This obituary continues more details about her life, family, and a suggested place for memorial donations.

I’ve had several inquiries from readers about funeral and memorial arrangements for Sinclair Group News Director CHRIS MANSON, whose passing we reported in this space last week. So far, despite several attempts, I’ve not received any information. If you know of the details please send me an email to rick@rickgevers.com and I’ll post the information here.

Names in the News:

Veteran newsman TED WINNER joins WPIX-TV in New York City as Senior EP of the station’s morning news. Much more about Ted in this news release.

Williams

The Philadelphia Tribune profiles WCAU-TV News Director ANZIO WILLIAMS in this story.

Some management changes at the top of the E.W. Scripps company, made by newly installed President and CEO ADAM SYMSON.

General Manager News & Notes:

SEAN BANKS is the new GM of Nexstar’s WOWK-TV in Charleston-Huntington, WV. It’s a return to WOWK for Sean, who once was sales manager there. He most recently has been the GM for a group of auto dealerships.

RICK BLANGIARDI, general manager of Honolulu’s KHNL/KGMB-TV, says he’s ‘open to the possibility’ of running for Governor of Hawaii. That tidbit is near the end of this interview with Blangiardi and his news director, SCOTT HUMBER.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 27, 2017:

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 Ave, Fort Lee, NJ 07024 ***
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 1 Media Crossways, Woodbury, NY 11791
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue Rye Brook, NY 10573
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton Street Philadelphia, PA 19130
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326
WCCO-TV 90 S 11th St., Minneapolis, MN 55403
WLTV 9405 NW 41st Street Miami, FL 33178-2301 ***
KDVR/KWGN-TV 100 East Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
KGTV 4600 Air Way San Diego, CA 92102
WGAL-TV 1300 Columbia Avenue. Lancaster, PA 17603
WZZM-TV 645 Three Mile Grand Rapids, MI 49544
WRIC-TV 301 Arboretum Pl, Richmond, VA 23236
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Pkwy Huntsville, AL 35801
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave. Pueblo, CO 81003
WJTV 1820 Tv Rd, Jackson, MS 39204
WHBF-TV 231 18th Street Rock Island, IL 61201
WFXG-TV P.O. Box 204540 Augusta, GA 30917
KLFY-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Rd, Lafayette, LA 70506
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave, Wausau, WI 54403
KNOE-TV 1400 Oliver Rd, Monroe, LA 71201
WIFR-TV 2523 N Meridian Rd, Rockford, IL 61101
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa, TX 79763
WCJB-TV 6220 NW 43rd St, Gainesville, FL 32653
KTMF-TV 2200 Stephens Avenue, Missoula, MT 59801
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, Montana, 59403

***: Spanish language station