Rick Gevers & Associates

December 11, 2022

Greetings:

It’s a rare occurrence as there are NO news director changes in this week’s report, but we do have some newsworthy items.

That means 24 jobs remain on our list of open ND positions.

We have TWO Paid Help Wanted ads, one for an EP in Ft. Wayne, IN, and the other for an EP job in San Diego.

There are obituaries for a longtime ND who’s been off the job for six years following a stroke, the founder of Survey USA, and more information about an obituary we first shared last week.

Just ONE Name in the News, a new Managing Editor in Atlanta.

And a new GM at a FOX o-an-o, and some promotions in executive ranks at Gray Television.

A reminder that your contributions are important for us as we comply this newsletter. Send me items to: rick@rickgevers.com.

Newly Named News Directors:

No new news directors to my knowledge. If I’ve missed anything, please let me know.

New News Director Openings:

To my knowledge, there are no news director openings this week.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WFFT- TV, Ft. Wayne, IN:

WFFT in Fort Wayne, Ind. (DMA 111) is searching for an executive producer to create great content, help manage our staff, and execute some exciting projects we have in the works.

The pay range is between $45,000 and $55,000 a year in a city that is safe and one of the most affordable in the country. The hours are mostly dayside so no early mornings and few late nights.

You’ll join a talented and diverse newsroom where training and culture is a priority. At least two years of experience as a line-producer required.

Send questions to news director Andy Paras at aparas@wfft.com

Apply here:

Morning Executive Producer, KSWB- TV, San Diego, CA:

FOX 5 San Diego is looking for an Executive Producer to lead our 5.5 hour -long top -rated morning newscast!

You would join a diverse newsroom and management team, with a culture of mentoring and growth.
You’ll oversee the use of an innovative set and outdoor back lot for all aspects – from news content, guest segments, story showcasing, remote shows, balancing team dynamics.

Winter is coming. Who wouldn’t want to work in San Diego?

Learn more and apply here!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 12/11/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (EP & Digital EP, listing revised 12/4/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/9/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 10/9/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 12/11/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22. see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 12/11/22)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 12/4/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 12/11/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 12/11/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listed 12/11/22)
WANE-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (Digital EP, listed 12/4/22)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22, see ad above!)
WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/4/22:

KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/13/22:

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)

Obituaries:

Ragan

KEVIN RAGAN, a longtime news director who stepped away from the ND job at WILX-TV in Lansing after a stroke in 2016, died December 4th at the age of 68. He spent about 18 years as ND there. Kevin suffered another brain hemorrhage in November which lead to his passing. WILX remembered him with this tribute. Kevin also served as a news director in Wichita and Greenville, SC, and worked in Cleveland and Pittsburgh.

Leve

Many of you may have used a company called Survey USA to conduct polling and surveys over the years. Sorry to tell you that JAY LEVE, who founded the company after beginning his career at the Miami Herald, died last Monday. He was 65. The company’s current president, KEN ALPER, passed along this item from the Survey USA website, while a more traditional obituary can be found here.

Birge

Thanks to a loyal reader who passed along a link to an obituary for JERRY BIRGE. We told you last week that Jerry, a one-time ND for WTVW-TV in Evansville, has died. He was 83. Here’s the obituary which has a lot more information on his life and career. Jerry later hosted a show on Owensboro cable television.

Names in the News:

At WXIA-TV in Atlanta (Tegna/NBC), reporter/MMJ JOE HENKE has been promoted to Managing Editor.

General Manager News and Notes:

Lewis

I’m seeing a pattern here. MICHAEL LEWIS has been named Senior VP/GM for FOX o-and-o KSAZ/KUTP-TV (MNT) in Phoenix. He’s been the general manager for FOX’s KTBC-TV in Austin since 2011, when he replaced MARK RODMAN. Now he moves west to replace…you guessed it…Rodman in Phoenix. Mark is retiring after 24 years with FOX stations.

Gaston

Gray Television made some management moves this week. COLLIN GASTON, who’s been a Regional VP for Gray in addition to his duties as GM for the company’s WBRC-TV (FOX) in Birmingham, has been elevated to Senior VP. Collin’s a former GM for WSFA-TV in Montgomery, AL, and has also worked for stations in Tallahassee and Jacksonville, FL.

Mathews

JASON MATHEWS will replace Collin as GM at WBRC. He’s been the general sales manager there for the last three years and has worked at the station for 15 years. He’s had other roles with both WBRC, Gray, and its predecessor owner, Raycom, as you will learn in this news release which covers the promotions for both Jason and Collin Gaston.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 11, 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
KTXL-TV, 4655 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820
KSAT-TV 1408 N. St. Mary’s St., San Antonio, TX 78215
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
WKBT-TV 141 South 6th Street La Crosse, WI 54601
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Drive. Sioux City, IA 51108
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KTVZ-TV 62990 O.B. Riley Rd. Bend OR 97703
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
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

December 5, 2022

Greetings:

We have TWO newly named news directors this week, one in the top four market. And there’s just ONE new opening.

That means 24 jobs on our list of open ND positions. 

We have ONE Paid Help Wanted for an EP job in sunny San Diego.

Also below…a longtime Chicago executive retires, ONE obituary for a long ago Indiana news director, TWO new GM’s to tell you about, and some big changes in the Ft. Wayne market.

Read on and have a great week!

WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA…BILL SHULL has been named news director for this Nexstar owned MyTV affiliate. Until July, Bill had been ND for WRDE-TV(NBC) in Salisbury, MD. But he’s a veteran of the Philadelphia market, having worked at both WCAU-TVand WTXF-TV. Bill replaces MATT TOAL who is taking a job out of TV after 18 months as ND. WPHL produces its own morning news and airs a 10:00 newscast produced by WPVI-TV.

Shull

WEHT/WTVW-TV, Evansville, IN…another market vet, WARREN KORFF, has been named ND here. Warren’s a former ND for WEVV-TV in Evansville, and replaces BOB FREEMAN who is retiring after eleven years. Including his time as ND for another station, Bob’s the longest serving ND in Evansville history. The station aired this brief tribute to him. Nexstar owns WEHT (ABC) and runs CW affiliate WTVW for Mission Broadcasting.

Korff

KVUE-TV, Austin, TX…CHRISTINA GINN is leaving this Tegna owned ABC affiliate to return to a network executive producing job. Christina did not respond to our email asking for more details. She’s been the ND here since early 2020 and previously worked at MSNBC and CNN. Christina has also worked in local news in Orlando, Nashville (two stations), and Little Rock.

Gina

And an update on an item from last week. We told you and AARON ADELSON was leaving Sinclair operated WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV in Gainesville, FL, but we didn’t know where he was headed. Aaron kindly responded to our inquiry and shared that he will be the investigative producer for Tegna’s KUSA-TV (NBC) in Denver. He’s been the ND here since January, 2021 and previously was a reporter in Minneapolis, Lexington, and Sioux City, IA.

Adelson

Morning Executive Producer, KSWB- TV, San Diego, CA: FOX 5 San Diego is looking for an Executive Producer to lead our 5.5 hour -long top -rated morning newscast! You would join a diverse newsroom and management team, with a culture of mentoring and growth. You’ll oversee the use of an innovative set and outdoor back lot for all aspects – from news content, guest segments, story showcasing, remote shows, balancing team dynamics. Winter is coming. Who wouldn’t want to work in San Diego?  Learn more and apply here!

JERRY BIRGE, a one-time ND for WTVW-TV in Evansville, has died. I wasn’t able to find an online obituary, but former Owensboro, KY, newsman JIM PARR posted this tribute on social media. After WTVW, Jerry hosted a show on Owensboro cable television and was profiled in this 2008 article.

Birge

Our Friday UPDATE reported the news that FRANK WHITAKER, Station Manager and Vice President of News for NBC’s WMAQ-TV in Chicago, is retiring, That bring an end to a 46 year career in Chicago television, the last 24 at WMAQ. He spent 16 years at WBBM-TV (CBS) in a variety of roles, and then moved to WLS-TV (ABC) where he was the Assistant ND. Here’s the note that Frank shared with his staff.

Whitaker

Gray Television has named CURTIS MILES as the next in a LONG line of GMs for KCTV (CBS) in Kansas City. He’s currently the GM for WAOW-TV (Allen Media/ABC) in Wausau, WI. Curtis also worked for ABC owned stations in Chicago and Raleigh, as well as for Magid. In fairness to Gray, most of the GM (and ND) churn there came under previous owner Meredith.

Miles

KYLE KREBS is the new General Manager for WHBQ-TV (FOX) in Memphis. That station, once a FOX o-and-o, is now owned by Imagicomm Communications, which sent out this news release. Kyle’s been out of television for a few years but has worked for several stations in Dallas and quite a few others around the country, according to his LinkedIn page.

Krebs

November 28, 2022

In Chicago, WMAQ’s station manager and VP/News FRANK WHITAKER will retire at the end of the year, closing out a 46 yearcareer that covered THREE Chicago newsrooms, the last 24+ at that NBC o-and-o. Here’s the note Frank sent to his newsroom. He also worked for five years at WLS-TV (ABC owned), rising to Assistant ND, and began his career at CBS’s WBBM-TV, where he worked for 16 years. Congrats to Frank, who has always been a gentleman in our interactions.

Whitaker

In Philadelphia, Nexstar’s WPHL-TV (MyNet) hired market veteran BILL SHULL for its open ND job. He spent 16 years as a producer for WCAU-TV and three years at WTXF-TV (FOX) Until July, he was ND for WRDE-TV, in Salisbury, MD, an NBC affiliate. Bill replaces MATT TOAL who is taking a job out of TV after 18 months as ND here. WPHL produces its own morning newscast and airs a 10:00 newscast produced by WPVI-TV.

Shull

November 27, 2022:

Chip Tayag – Jason Myers

WWMT-TV, Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, MI…MATT JOHNSON is leaving this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. He posted this on social media about his next move. Matt’s been ND here for more than seven years, and was ND for Sinclair’s KRCG-TV (CBS) in Jefferson City, MO, before that. He worked for another station in the Jefferson City/Columbia market, as well as in both off-air and on-air jobs in Minneapolis, Jackson, MS, and Chattanooga.

Johnson

KHGI-TV, Kearney, NE…after eleven years as news director, MATT WEESNER has left this Sinclair Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. His Linkedin page says he is now an “Operations Manager” in the “Communication Industry” in Windsor, CO. He spent more than 15 years at KHGI, starting as a photographer before moving to chief photographer, operations manger and eventually news director.

Weesner

WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV, Gainesville, FL..AARON ADELSON is lieaving this Sinclair operation by the end of th year. He’s been the ND here since January, 2021. It’s his first news director job: previously he’s been a reporter in Minneapolis, Lexington, and Sioux City, IA. WGFL-WNBW-WMYG-TV is a complicated operation: Mr. Wikipedia explains it all here.

Adelson

LARRY SMITH, a former news director in Louisville, South Bend, and Ft. Wayne, IN, died November 2nd. He was 78. Larry began in newspapers in Indiana, moved to radio, then TV, and interrupted his journalism career to serve as then Senator DAN QUAYLE’s press secretary. This very detailed obituary tells his full story. While I did not know him personally, friends who did always spoke glowingly of him.

Smith

November 21, 2022

Greetings:

(Apologies for the different look of this week’s newsletter. Our friends at WordPress, taking a page from those at Constant Contact, have installed a new…but not improved, in my view…editor. Hopefully by next week I’ll either have figured it out or found a way to go back to the old system.)

There’s a fair amount of news director movement this week, with THREE newly named news directors and TWO new openings, both created when peoole took new jobs.

Those changes leaves 22 jobs on our list of open ND positions.

We have a report about a huge purge of GMs and GSMs at Univision, and sad news about a one time WV News Director…better known as an anchor in Ohio…losing his voice to cancer.

Also…be sure to click on the ad from Elixir Marketing below…it will take you to the company’s home page so you can learn more about their services.

Holiday travel may impact our publication time next week, but we’ll try to be close to our normal Sunday PM distribution.

Best wishes to you and your family during this holiday week.

Newly Named News Directors:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX…you learned via Monday’s UPDATE that BERNICE KEARNEY is moving to one Graham Media station from another. She’s been the ND for Graham’s KSAT-TV (ABC) in San Antonio for the past nine years, part of a 27 year career there. The move reunites her with GM PHIL LANE. They worked together at KSAT. She replaces DAVE STRICKLAND at this NBC affiliate. He was ND there for five years and had earlier been the ND at Houston’s KTRK-TV (ABC owned).

Kearney

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…DENISE KILLIAN returns to Wichita, this time at this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate as news director. Earlier in her career she was ND at KSNW-TV (NBC) from 2013-2017. She’s been the ND for WJRT-TV (Allen Media/ABC). Denise has been an ND in Davenport, IA, and also worked in Dallas, Nashville, and Temple and Corpus Christi, TX. At KWCH, she replaces KIM WILHELM who was promoted to a corporate news trainer position after five years as ND here.

Killian

New News Director Openings:

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

We have no paid help wanted ads this week. If you want to advertise your news management opening in the most targeted publication available, send me an email: rick@rickgevers.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)

KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/30/22)

WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)

KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)

WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)

KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)

WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital EP, relisted 10/23/22)

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (EP Investigations, listed 10/9/22)

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/9/22)

KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)

WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (2 openings, PM EP & MSJ EP, revised 10/30/22)

KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (Digital EP, listed 10/16/22)

WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 10/9/22)

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 11/20/22)

WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (listed 11/20/22)

KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 10/30/22)

KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)

WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (2 jobs, Spec. Proj. & EP, modified 10/9/22)

WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 11/20/22)

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)

KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)

WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)

WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)

WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)

KREM-TV, Spokane WA (listed 10/9/22)

WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 10/2/22)

KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)

WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA (Digital EP, listed 11/20/22)

WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)

KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 10/30/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/30/22)
News Center Maine, Portland/Bangor (relisted 10/30/22)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 11/13/22:

WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 10/2/22:

Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)

Names in the News (and other things):

MIKE JACKSON, once a news director in West Virginia but better known as an anchor for two stations in Columbus, OH, has been diagnosed with cancer which has left him unable to speak. The complete story is here. He also worked as an anchor and reporter in Washington, DC.

General Manager News and Notes:

Media Moves reports a MASSIVE purge of General Managers and Sales Managers at Univision stations, perhaps numbering as many as 25 people. Complete details in this story.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 20, 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