Rick Gevers & Associates

January 2, 2022

Greetings:

I’m sure you join me in hoping that 2022 is better for all of us than 2021…and 2020, for that matter.

ONE new news director position was filled this week, while TWO opened up, leaving our always unofficial list of ND openings at 39.

ONE of those new openings is among our THREE Paid Help Wanted ads.

It’s (as you might expect) a slow week with NO news about general managers and (happily) NO obituaries.

In Names in the News, a new job for a former Sinclair news executive, another CNN producer leaves the network amid accusations of sexual misconduct, and a lawsuit against AT&T over retransmission fees takes a step forward. The station owner involved alleges racial discrimination.

I expect more activity this week, including a new job for a veteran ND whose name has frequently appeared in these pages.

Until then, have a great New Year!

Newly Named News Director:

Moravchik

WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI…JULIE MORAVCHIK returns to Green Bay and starts tomorrow as the new ND for this Gray owned ABC affiliate. She earlier spent 2 1/2 years as ND for WGBA-TV, before heading to Milwaukee, first working at Spectrum News and then WITI-TV (FOX), where she spent two years as News Content Manager. She’s been an ND in Jefferson City, MO, Grand Forks, ND, and in Duluth, and also worked in Minneapolis. Julie replaces MATT KUMMER who moved to Gray’s WVLT-TV in Knoxville late last year as ND after eight years as ND here.

New News Director Openings:

Boan

WLNE-TV, Providence, RI…KELLY BOAN is being promoted to the corporate to work on a new project. It’s a quick rise to corporate for Kelly, who joined this Standard Media owned CBS ABC affiliate as ND last summer. She spent 16 years at WHNS-TV (a FOX now owned by Gray but Meredith when she worked there), the last eight as ND and the very last year as ND and Station Manager.

Spencer

KOAM-TV, Pittsburg, KS/Joplin, MO…KRISTI SPENCER left this Morgan Murphy Media owned CBS affiliate last month after 23 years as news director. Her Linkedin Page shows she is self-employed as a consultant for the Etiquette Company, a role she also held during part of her tenure at KOAM. You can learn more about this opportunity by checking out the Paid Help Wanted ad just below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KOAM-TV, Pittsburg, KS/Joplin, MO:

KOAM is looking for a proven leader with the skills and experience to head the KOAM News Department in the Joplin, MO and Pittsburg, KS market.

KOAM dominates local ratings with over 35 hours of broadcast news every week, as well as extended coverage through our news and weather apps, social media, website and streaming channels.

Candidates for KOAM News Director should have a minimum of ten years in journalism with previous management experience, a four-year degree in journalism, communications or related field, and the ability to inspire a team of journalists to meet high traditional standards while embracing emerging platforms.

They should excel at collaboration, conflict management, coaching, and delegating responsibility. They should have strong broadcast and AP-style writing skills, a command of journalistic ethics, and a working knowledge of news-gathering equipment and newsroom software.

The KOAM News Director will work with station and corporate management to create strategies for audience growth, lead recruitment and retention efforts for top-level talent, and develop outreach activities for the communities we serve.

KOAM is a family-owned business that values our employees, offering medical, dental, vision, and prescription insurance, 401(k), and paid time off.

Apply online by clicking here and include your resume.

KOAM is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Digital Content Manager, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:

WIS is a dynamic newsroom determined to push creative boundaries on all platforms. Our Digital Content Manager is a critical leader in the daily editorial process for both the on-air and digital arenas. We are looking for a leader with strategic vision that can help us win the 24-hour news battle and create new content that expands our reach on wistv.com, our apps, social media and OTT.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years-experience as a Digital Content Manager/Producer, or similar position, in a competitive news environment.

WIS-TV has a powerful reach and a Digital Content Manager with journalistic skill and imagination could have an incredible impact driving this news brand.

APPLY HERE:

ABOUT WIS:

WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina for almost 70 years. More than a “legacy” station, WIS is truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”, and is one of the top ranked NBC affiliates in the country.

Among our many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin.

The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina State House and across the street from the University of South Carolina. Columbia is a great place to live and WIS-TV is a special place to work.

WIS is owned by Gray Television, a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.

Newscast Producer, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:

WIS is a dynamic newsroom determined to push creative boundaries on all platforms. News Producers are asked to envision and execute bold newscasts that communicate, with accurate context, the stories that matter to our viewers.

Producers are not only an integral part of the editorial process at WIS, but are also encouraged to help us generate engaging content on our social media, digital, and streaming platforms.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism of a related field is preferred for this position.

APPLY:

ABOUT WIS:

WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina for almost 70 years. More than a “legacy” station, WIS is truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”, and is one of the top ranked NBC affiliates in the country.

Among our many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin. Melvin, a Columbia native, began his career as a reporter and anchor for WIS.

The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina State House and across the street from the University of South Carolina. Columbia, SC is a great place to live and WIS-TV is a special place to work. We have high expectations, but WIS is also a real family that is committed to serving the people who live in the Midlands of South Carolina.

WIS is owned by Gray Television, a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, relisted 12/26/21)
WDCW/WDVM-TV, Washington, DC (listed 12/26/21)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 12/26/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted 12/26/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 12/12/21)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 12/12/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted 12/26/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/12/21)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Streaming EP, listed 12/19/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/12/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 12/5/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/5/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 12/19/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 12/19/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, relisted 12/26/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/12/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted this week)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listing modified 12/26/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted 12/12/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted 12/12/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/12/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 12/26/21:

WIS-TV, Columbia, SC: Digital Content Manager (see ad above!)

Relisted this week:

KXXV-TV, Waco, TX: (Assignment Desk Manager)

Listed 12/19/21:

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL: Director of Innovation News Center

Listed 12/12/21:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH: National Director of News Platform Strategies and Special Projects

Relisted 12/12/21:

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 12/5/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 12/5/21:

KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/28/21:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 11/21/21:

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)

Relisted 11/21/21:

New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 10/31/21

Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)

Names in the News:

Mike M.

MIKE McCORMICK has a new job as the Media Relations-Education Coordinator for Florida/USVI Poison Information Center in Jacksonville, FL. He left his job as Group News Director for Sinclair in November after almost six years in that role. Mike’s a former ND in Cleveland, West Palm Beach, Jacksonville (two stations) and Mobile, AL. He’s also worked in Columbus, OH.

CNN has fired another producer after allegations of a sex scandal. RICK SALEEBY left the network shortly before a story came out accusing him of improper conduct. Details in this story from NBC News. His departure comes just a few weeks after another CNN producer, JOHN GRIFFIN, was indicted by a federal grand jury on sex related charges.

A federal judge has ruled that a racial discrimination suit over retransmission fees against AT&T filed by a station owner can move forward. Circle City Broadcasting, which owns WISH-TV (CW) and WNDY-TV here in Indianapolis, claims AT&T is refusing to pay appropriate retransmission fees because Circle City owner DeJUAN McCOY is Black. More details from the Indianapolis Business Journal.

General Manager News and Notes:

Not unexpectedly given the holiday, there are no GM items to report this week.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, January 2, 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

News 12 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSYX-TV 1261 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
KXXV-TV 1909 S. New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KWQC-TV 805 Brady St. Davenport, IA 52803
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KOAM-TV 2950 NE Highway 69 Pittsburg, KS 66762 (see ad above!)
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503

**: Spanish language station

December 26, 2021

Greetings:

I hope your holidays were happy, your travels safe, and your health good during this holiday week.

There are FOUR new news directors to introduce you to in this week’s edition, while we have just ONE new opening, created when an Iowa ND was promoted to a GM job in Minnesota.

By our count 38 stations have news director openings, ONE of which is advertising its opening below, among our SIX paid ads.

ONE obituary which we shared with you in a Thursday UPDATE. Just ONE item in Names in the News, and ONE item in our GM news section.

And ONE reminder from me to send me your news!

Have a great year, and, barring updates in what is normally a slow week, we’ll see you next year.

Newly Named News Directors:

Saxon

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA…KIM SAXON advances within Gray to become ND for its newly acquired WGCL-TV (CBS) in Atlanta. GM ERIK SCHRADER (also new to WGCL) told the staff in this email. Kim’s been ND for Gray’s WBTV (CBS) in Charlotte for 2+ years, part of a 17 year run there. She also served four years in the Air Force as a broadcaster. Kim replaces MATT KING who left in October after 18 months.

Kelleher

WBTV, Charlotte, NC…wasted little time in replacing Kim by promoting Assistant ND MOLLY KELLEHER to the ND job for this sister Gray/CBS station. She’ll actually start on January 8th, as you’ll learn in this news release. She’s a seven year vet of the station, most recently as Assistant ND. Molly’s also worked in Reno, Bangor, ME, Pasco, WA, and KOLD-TV in Tucson, where she was an EP.

Germano

WOIA-TV, San Antonio, TX…the long promised top 35 ND hire came as MICHELLE GERMANO returns home as ND for this Sinclair/NBC affiliate. GM DEAN RADLA shared the news. Michelle’s been serving as an interim ND for several stations since leaving WTVD-TV (ABC owned) in Raleigh-Durham in 2020, after five years as ND. She’s a former ND in Tucson and has worked in Houston and Corpus Christi, TX. She replaces MANDI JOHNSTON MENDOZA who left in September and is now working out of TV news in San Antonio.

Cook

KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN…this Hubbard owned ABC station has promoted BRIANNA COOK to news director. Brianna is currently the morning anchor for this ABC affiliate, where she began her career in 2009. She left for a year to report in Omaha and returned almost ten years ago. She replaces CRAIG HUME who was ND here for two years. He’ll leave in early January and I expect his new job will be announced soon after.

New News Director Openings:

Hedrick

KWQA-TV, Davenport, IA…always happy to report a news director moving to a General Manager job. STEPHANIE HEDRICK is off to sister Gray station KTTC-TV in Rochester, MN. Notes from both Stephanie and Gray SVP MIKE KING are here. She’s been ND at this NBC affiliate for 4+ years, was ND at KOLN-TV (also Gray) for four years, also worked in Waco and also taught English in Bangkok, Thailand.

Hedrick

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KIMT-TV, Rochester, MN:

KIMT-TV is seeking the next leader of our Rochester, Minnesota newsroom.

This is an excellent opportunity to work for Allen Media Broadcasting, a progressive broadcast company with a winning attitude, while enjoying a diverse, Midwestern and rapidly-growing city, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic. We are passionate about local news, very competitive and thrive on new ideas and technologies.

Our News Director will be responsible for managing the newsroom, executing strategies that engage and grow audiences and provides strong news judgment and journalistic integrity. The ability to recruit, train and inspire young journalists is a must.

Candidates must have a broad understanding of newsroom operations, advanced oral and written communication skills and team-building skills. The ability to work in a high-stress environment and three to five years of previous newsroom oversight is required.

Allen Media Broadcasting offers a generous benefit and time-off plan.

To apply, please visit www.kimt.com or send cover letter and resume to: hr@kimt.com

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)

Digital Content Manager, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:

WIS is a dynamic newsroom determined to push creative boundaries on all platforms. Our Digital Content Manager is a critical leader in the daily editorial process for both the on-air and digital arenas. We are looking for a leader with strategic vision that can help us win the 24-hour news battle and create new content that expands our reach on wistv.com, our apps, social media and OTT.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years-experience as a Digital Content Manager/Producer, or similar position, in a competitive news environment.

WIS-TV has a powerful reach and a Digital Content Manager with journalistic skill and imagination could have an incredible impact driving this news brand.

APPLY HERE:

ABOUT WIS:

WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina for almost 70 years. More than a “legacy” station, WIS is truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”, and is one of the top ranked NBC affiliates in the country.

Among our many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin.

The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina State House and across the street from the University of South Carolina. Columbia is a great place to live and WIS-TV is a special place to work.

WIS is owned by Gray Television, a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.

Newscast Producer, WIS-TV, Columbia, SC:

WIS is a dynamic newsroom determined to push creative boundaries on all platforms. News Producers are asked to envision and execute bold newscasts that communicate, with accurate context, the stories that matter to our viewers.

Producers are not only an integral part of the editorial process at WIS, but are also encouraged to help us generate engaging content on our social media, digital, and streaming platforms.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism of a related field is preferred for this position.

APPLY:

ABOUT WIS:

WIS-TV has been the #1 ranked television station in the capital city of Columbia, South Carolina for almost 70 years. More than a “legacy” station, WIS is truly “South Carolina’s TV Station”, and is one of the top ranked NBC affiliates in the country.

Among our many former notable on-air staff is NBC Today Show co-host Craig Melvin. Melvin, a Columbia native, began his career as a reporter and anchor for WIS.

The historic and iconic WIS building is located two blocks from the South Carolina State House and across the street from the University of South Carolina. Columbia, SC is a great place to live and WIS-TV is a special place to work. We have high expectations, but WIS is also a real family that is committed to serving the people who live in the Midlands of South Carolina.

WIS is owned by Gray Television, a leading media company that owns and operates high-quality stations in 113 television markets that collectively reach 36 percent of US television households.

Streaming Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL-TV is looking for an ambitious, multi-skilled individual to lead our news streaming efforts across numerous platforms. The EP will serve in a variety of roles … managing, programming, producing, copy editing, video editing, etc. Tapping the vast television and digital resources and people of WRAL will make this an exciting job.

You’ll lead a team of producers/editors creating content all day, every day. The ideal candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, creative, and innovative. Exceptional communication and writing skills are essential. Pitching new ideas will be crucial.

At least five years of news experience is required. Previous experience in producing and video editing is highly preferred. Supervisory experience is a plus. A four-year college degree is required.

People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills. We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, stable, community advocate, do-the-right-thing company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.

WRAL-TV is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. The Triangle is an area of booming growth, with companies including Apple, Google and Amazon recently announcing major expansions here.

A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Newscast Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is a multiplatform newsroom. Producers will be asked to engage in discussions about news coverage on WRAL, WRAL.com and social media.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism is preferred. A minimum of 3 years working as a producer is preferred. An ideal candidate must be flexible, able to work under tight deadlines and communicate clearly. They must also be willing to work any shift, and be prepared to work holidays.

Apply Here:

People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills.

We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, community advocate company that offers some of the best benefits in the business. We are based in Raleigh, NC, consistently named one of the best places to live in America.

A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAZ-TV, WRAZ Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.

Director of Innovation News Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, relisted this week)
WDCW/WDVM-TV, Washington, DC (new listing this week)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (new listing this week)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted this week)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 12/12/21)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 12/12/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted this week)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/12/21)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Streaming EP, listed 12/19/21, see ad above!)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/12/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 12/5/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/5/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 12/19/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, listed 12/19/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, relisted this week)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/12/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital EP, listing modified this week)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted 12/12/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted 12/12/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/12/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)

More News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

WIS-TV, Columbia, SC: Digital Content Manager (see ad above!)

Relisted this week:

KXXV-TV, Waco, TX: (Assignment Desk Manager)

Listed 12/19/21:

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL: Director of Innovation News Center (see ad above!)

Listed 12/12/21:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH: National Director of News Platform Strategies and Special Projects

Relisted 12/12/21:

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 12/5/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 12/5/21:

KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/28/21:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 11/21/21:

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)

Relisted 11/21/21:

New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 10/31/21

Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)

Names in the News:

Not much this week…just a new news manager at Scripps.

MATT SIMON joins WFTX-TV (FOX) in Ft. Myers as its new Assistant News Director. He’s worked in a number of places as you’ll learn here.

Send me your news! rick@rickgevers.com

General Manager News and Notes:

Only one item this week, and we mentioned it above when we told you that STEPHANIE HEDRICK will be the next GM for Gray’s KTTC-TV in Rochester, MN. We mentioned above because she’s leaving Gray’s KWQC-TV in Davenport, IA, where she’s been the ND for 4+ years.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 26, 2021:

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 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSYX-TV 1261 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
KXXV-TV 1909 S. New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KWQC-TV 805 Brady St. Davenport, IA 52803
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 (see ad above!)
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503

**: Spanish language station

December 19, 2021

Thursday, December 23, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Gray moved quickly to fill an opening at its Charlotte station, and we have an obituary for a long ago news director turned salesman turned Catholic Church Deacon.

Kelleher

MOLLY KELLEHER will start her new job as news director for WBTV (CBS) on January 8, 2022. Here’s the official news release. She’s been at WBTV for seven years, first as executive producer, and, in 2019, when she was promoted to Assistant News Director. Molly’s also worked in Reno, Bangor, ME, Pasco, WA, and KOLD-TV in Tucson, where she was an EP.

At WBTV, Molly replaces KIM SAXON. We told you Tuesday that Kim was moving to sister Gray CBS affiliate WGCL-TV in Atlanta after 17 years at WBTV, the last 2 1/2 as news director.

Von Ende

We’ve learned of the death of former Detroit ND MIKE VON ENDE, who also worked in Minneapolis as a reporter and in Hartford as a manager. Some may remember him as one of the “Michaels” of Michaels Media, where he teamed with his friend MICHAEL BILLE. Michaels Media sold a variety of syndicated news products.

Michael Bille shared this remembrance of his friend and former partner, who later became a Deacon in the Catholic Church.

Mike had suffered a series of mini-strokes over the few years. He was 77.

This obituary has more details, including funeral arrangements and a suggestion for memorial contributions.

Mike was a very nice man in a business which could use more of them. I’m sorry our paths had not crossed in many years.

Our sympathy to his wife BEV and their daughters.

We’ll be back this weekend with our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 UPDATE #2:

Greetings:

The top 35 market ND hire that I’ve been promising for two weeks is now official and…it appears you can go home again.

Germano

At least that’s the case for MICHELLE GERMANO, who returns to her home town as news director for Sinclair’s WOAI-TV (NBC). Here’s the memo to staff from General Manager DEAN RADLA. Michelle has been serving as a temporary news director for several stations since leaving WTVD-TV (ABC owned) in Raleigh-Durham in July, 2020, after five years as ND.

Before Raleigh, Michelle spent 15 years at KOLD-TV in Tucson, the last 12 as ND. She’s also worked in Houston and Corpus Christi, TX.

Mendoza

At WOAI, she replaces MANDI JOHNSTON MENDOZA who left in September and is now Director of Media Production for USAA in San Antonio. She was ND at WOAI for almost four years and worked there for 18.

I am not aware of any other pending moves this week. If you get another UPDATE from me, you’ll be as surprised as I will be.

See you this weekend!

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, December 21, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

The second largest market news director opening has been filled with a longtime Charlotte newswoman.

Saxon

KIM SAXON will join Gray’s WGCL-TV (CBS) in Atlanta as its next news director on January 18th. Here’s the staff memo from GM ERIK SCHRADER. Kim’s been the ND for sister Gray CBS affiliate WBTV in Charlotte since April, 2019, and is a 17 year veteran of the station. She began at WBTV as a producer in 2004 and has also been an EP and Assistant ND there.

Kim’s Linkedin page also reflects four years in the Air Force as a broadcaster.

At WGCL, she replaces MATT KING who left in October after 18 months as ND.

She becomes the NINTH news director in 13 years at WGCL, but all those previous changes came under Meredith ownership.

I still expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week (I know, I keep telling you that) with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

A busy week! It appears folks are trying to finalize hiring decisions before the holidays.

There are SIX new news directors to introduce you to, while we have THREE new openings, ONE created when an Ohio ND moved to the corporate staff.

Our count of stations with ND openings now stands at 40. THREE of those stations are advertising the openings below, among our SIX paid ads. TWO of those ads are from a legacy North Carolina station, while we have an ad for an interesting job at the University of Florida.

This week we have FOUR items in our GM News and Notes section: a former ND turned GM goes to a top 35 market, his replacement is quickly named, a longtime Dayton broadcaster is stepping down, and a new GM in Tucson won’t have to move.

And in Names in the News, a CNN producer is fired, CBS launches news at an o-and-o, and some other news managers on the move.

Not sure what our publication schedule will be next weekend due to the holiday, but we will be there at some point.

Happy Holidays to all, and let’s hope for a much more normal 2022, though it’s hard to be optimistic about that right now!

Newly Named News Directors:

Hoffman

KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ..you learned in our second UPDATE last Monday that SYBIL HOFFMAN was moving to the big office for this newly acquired by Gray CBS/independent duopoly. GM DEBBIE BUSH shared the news. She’s a 19 year veteran, who’s also worked in Norfolk, Greensboro-High Point, and Columbia, MO. Sybil replaces JEN DAHL who left the station in October after three years as ND.

Salamone

KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV…Monday’s first UPDATE told you that DAN SALAMONE was moving from one of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content to become ND for this CBS affiliate. He’d spent three years at corporate, from ND for Nexstar’s WTEN-TV in Albany, NY. Dan’s a former ND in Detroit, Cleveland, Portland, OR, Albuquerque, and Providence. At KLAS, he replaces TERRI FOLEY who left in September after six years as ND and 35 at the station.

Dan’s joy about his new job was likely tempered last night as his beloved New England Patriots suffered a beat down by the Indianapolis Colts. (I shouldn’t gloat too much…it’s the first Colts win over New England since 2009.)

Baldwin

WTVG-TV, Toledo, OH…it’s been a busy two years for MICHAEL BALDWIN, who’s been promoted to news director for this Gray owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the memo from GM CHRIS FEDELE. Michael joined WTVG in June as Assistant ND after one year as ND for Gray’s WDTV in Bridgeport, WV. He’d been a reporter/anchor for the company’s WXIX-TV in Cincinnati. Michael replaces MEL WATSON who retired after three years as ND. She spent much of her career in Cleveland.

Finally, a flurry of new news director hires by Univision:

Media Moves reports ILIA GARCIA has been named ND for Univision’s WUVP-TV in Philadelphia, while DACELYS MARTINEZ ORTEGA becomes regional ND for Univision stations in Atlanta (WUVG-TV) and Raleigh (WUVC-TV). More details in this story.

In Fresno, Univision hired ISIS CHAVERRI as ND for KFTV. GM STEVE STUCK sent this note to the staff. Isis is a former ND for Univision’s WGBO-TV in Chicago, a job she left in 2010. For the last three years, she’s worked for the American Red Cross in Chicago as Regional Marketing and Communications Manager.

New News Director Openings:

Justice

WSYX/WTTE-TV, Columbus, OH…we’re late in telling you that JAMIE JUSTICE has been promoted to Group News Director for station owner Sinclair. Senior VP of News SCOTT LIVINGSTON shared the news. She’s been the ND for this ABC/FOX duopoly for seven years and has worked there for 14. Jamie’s also worked in Cleveland (WOIO/WUAB-TV) and Savannah, GA (WSAV-TV).

Kompos

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…ATHAN KOMPOS is out at this Tegna owned NBC affiliate in a move that apparently happened a few months ago. He became news director there in August, 2017, when his predecessor was also dismissed. Athan spent more than 20 years at WGRZ, beginning as a producer in 2003, and then become executive producer in 2009.

Villarreal

KXXV-TV, Waco, TX…after six years at this Scripps owned SYVLIA VILLAREAL has left this ABC affiliate. She first joined the station in 2015 as an executive producer and later became Assistant ND, the job she held when she was promoted to news director in November, 2020. She has also worked in Dallas and freelanced for CBS Newspath. KXXV has had three owners, four GMs, and four NDs since 2016.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Streaming Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL-TV is looking for an ambitious, multi-skilled individual to lead our news streaming efforts across numerous platforms. The EP will serve in a variety of roles … managing, programming, producing, copy editing, video editing, etc. Tapping the vast television and digital resources and people of WRAL will make this an exciting job.

You’ll lead a team of producers/editors creating content all day, every day. The ideal candidate will be organized, detail-oriented, creative, and innovative. Exceptional communication and writing skills are essential. Pitching new ideas will be crucial.

At least five years of news experience is required. Previous experience in producing and video editing is highly preferred. Supervisory experience is a plus. A four-year college degree is required.

People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills. We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, stable, community advocate, do-the-right-thing company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.

WRAL-TV is based in Raleigh, North Carolina, consistently ranked as one of the best places to live, work and raise a family. The Triangle is an area of booming growth, with companies including Apple, Google and Amazon recently announcing major expansions here.

A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Newscast Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:

WRAL is a multiplatform newsroom. Producers will be asked to engage in discussions about news coverage on WRAL, WRAL.com and social media.

A Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism is preferred. A minimum of 3 years working as a producer is preferred. An ideal candidate must be flexible, able to work under tight deadlines and communicate clearly. They must also be willing to work any shift, and be prepared to work holidays.

Apply Here:

People come to WRAL-TV and they stay. Why? We’re family. We have extraordinary expectations of each other and accept nothing short of excellence. Meshing with our standout team is as important as your skills.

We’re locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a pioneering, community advocate company that offers some of the best benefits in the business. We are based in Raleigh, NC, consistently named one of the best places to live in America.

A pre-employment drug screening is required. EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free. Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.

Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. is a diversified communications company which owns and/or operates WRAL-TV, WRAL Digital, WRAZ-TV, WRAZ Digital, WRAL-FM, WRAL-HD2, WCMC-FM, WCMC-HD1, WDNC-AM, WCMC-HD2, WCMC-HD3, WCLY-AM, WCMC-HD4, Microspace, CBC New Media Group and Wolfpack Sports Properties (a joint venture with Learfield) in Raleigh, NC; WILM-TV, WILT-LD and Sunrise Broadcasting in Wilmington, NC; The Durham Bulls Baseball Club, Bull City Hospitality, and the American Underground startup hub in Durham, NC; Holly Springs Salamanders in Holly Springs, NC; and real estate interests including the American Tobacco Historic District in Durham, NC, and Rocky Mount Mills in Rocky Mount, NC.

Director of Innovation News Center, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL:

News Director, News 12 Long Island, New York, NY:

The New York metro’s premiere 24/7 cable news operation is looking for an audience focused multi-platform news leader to deliver hyperlocal news to all of Long Island. This rare opening puts you in the suburbs of New York City without fighting the crowds and the commute.

This big city staff of 100+ is eager for an in-touch news director who balances breaking news and weather and beat driven news coverage with an inspirational and innovative style. Our next news leader will have a demonstrated strategic planning capability married with a commitment to advance planning, strong scheduling and digital/social media development.

Click here to learn more and apply.

We’re part of the Altice USA family, America’s fourth largest cable network and partners with Cheddar, the business focused cable channel.

Requirements of this position include demonstration of either full vaccination status against COVID-19 or company-provided weekly COVID-19 testing.

News Director, WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS:

Are you ready to work for a dominant station and experience what winning BIG feels like? Are you ready for your first News Director gig with a serious news station? Are you tired of chasing #1 with little to no resources?

WTVA, the Allen Media Broadcasting owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Tupelo-Columbus, MS (133), will take your career to a big market experience fast!

AMB is a company that believes in and invests in live, local news (9+ hours each weekday). WTVA has received 7 Emmys in the last 8 years!

Does your current employer invest in your career with training and consulting as if you were a network O & O? Allen Media does, and you could soon be working with Magid consultants who partner with us to improve our winning strategies.

You must be energetic, positive, passionate, competitive, possess strong motivational skills and exceed in recruiting, training and leading across generations.

We live in a cultural hotbed for internationally recognized music, art, and literature. Elvis was born here. BB King, Tennessee Williams and Faulkner, lived here. Grisham still does! 90 minutes from Memphis and near competitive SEC universities (Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State). The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high!

Interested? Just click here to learn more and apply.

EOE

Applicant must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law).

News Director, KIMT-TV, Rochester, MN:

KIMT-TV is seeking the next leader of our Rochester, Minnesota newsroom.

This is an excellent opportunity to work for Allen Media Broadcasting, a progressive broadcast company with a winning attitude, while enjoying a diverse, Midwestern and rapidly-growing city, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic. We are passionate about local news, very competitive and thrive on new ideas and technologies.

Our News Director will be responsible for managing the newsroom, executing strategies that engage and grow audiences and provides strong news judgment and journalistic integrity. The ability to recruit, train and inspire young journalists is a must.

Candidates must have a broad understanding of newsroom operations, advanced oral and written communication skills and team-building skills. The ability to work in a high-stress environment and three to five years of previous newsroom oversight is required.

Allen Media Broadcasting offers a generous benefit and time-off plan.

To apply, please visit www.kimt.com or send cover letter and resume to: hr@kimt.com

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, listed 10/24/21)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 10/24/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted 12/12/21)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 12/12/21)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/24/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 10/10/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 12/12/21)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Streaming EP, new listing, see ad above!)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 12/12/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 12/5/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/5/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, new listing this week)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (AM EP, new listing this week)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, listed 10/24/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/12/21)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted 12/12/21)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted 12/12/21)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted 12/12/21)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)

More News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

University of Florida, Gainesville, FL: Director of Innovation News Center (see ad above!)

Relisted 12/12/21:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH: National Director of News Platform Strategies and Special Projects

Relisted this week:

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 12/5/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 12/5/21:

KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/28/21:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 11/21/21:

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)

Relisted 11/21/21:

New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 10/31/21

Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)

Listed 10/24/21:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Director of Community Connection and Inclusive Journalism)

Names in the News:

Griffin

CNN fired producer JOHN GRIFFIN on Monday. We told you last week that he’s been charged with three counts of attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. More in this story from Deadline.com. Griffin’s had been the Senior Producer for New Day, the show anchored until recently by CHRIS CUOMO. An eight year veteran of the network Griffin has also worked for ABC, CBS, and FOX.

CBS announced that, once again, it would start a full scale news operation at its Detroit owned station, WWJ-TV. It’s the largest network o-and-o without its own local news department. Details in this news release. The Detroit Free Press adds perspective.

Passant

COURT PASSANT has a new job. The veteran broadcaster is now the Creative Services Director for Nexstar’s WPIX-TV (CW) in New York. Court joined WPIX three months ago as Managing Editor. He sent me this note with details about his new role and his career history, which includes time at both CBS Newspath and FOX.

BRENDEN NAKAMINE has been upped to Assistant ND for another large market Nexstar station, KRON-TV (MyNetwork) in San Francisco. He’s been an EP there, and has previously worked in Detroit, San Diego, Las Vegas and Bakersfield.

General Manager News and Notes:

Antoniotti

Former news director and second generation broadcaster JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI will be the next GM for Hearst’s KMBC/KCWE-TV (ABC/CW) in Kansas City. More from the station’s website. He’s been GM for Hearst’s WGAL-TV (NBC) in Lancaster, PA. A long time Hearst employee, he’s also been a GM in Vermont and an ND for two Hearst stations. Justin’s dad, STEVE, was a longtime GM and ND.

DeLuca

And as is often its practice, Hearst quickly named Justin’s replacement in Lancaster. CINDY DeLUCA was promoted from her role as General Sales Manager at WGAL, a job she’s held since 2017. She’s also held sales positions for Hearst stations in Pittsburgh and Burlington, VT. More details in this story from the WGAL website.

Rohr

After a long career at WHIO-TV (and other Cox Media Group properties in Dayton), ROB ROHR is stepping down at the end of the year. You can learn more about his decision and his plans for the future in this post from his Linkedin page. His current title is Vice President and General Manager of Cox Media Group in Dayton.

Hornfeck

MICHAEL HORNFECK crosses the street and joins Gray Television as GM for KOLD-TV (CBS) in Tucson. He’s been the sales manager for KVOA-TV (NBC/Allen Media). Earlier in his career, Michael worked for a third Tucson station, KGUN-TV (ABC), so he’s scored the Tucson hat trick! More here.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 19, 2021:

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 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797 (see ad above!)
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW. Atlanta, GA 30318
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
WSYX-TV 1261 Dublin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43215
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
KXXV-TV 1909 S. New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802 (see ad above!)
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 (see ad above!)
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW Rochester, MN 55902
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503

**: Spanish language station

December 12, 2021

Tuesday, December 14, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

It’s an UPDATY (that is not a real word, though apparently there is an app by that name) type of week, apparently, with THREE quick items for you in our THIRD update of the week.

The first comes from Detroit, where CBS has announced plans to launch a full fledged newscast. It is apparently the only major market network owned station which does not produce its own newscast. Here’s the news release from CBS. The station, branded as CBS 62 has done some attempts at news over the years: this Wikipedia page outlines many of them, and this story from The Detroit Free Press adds a little more perspective.

Antoniotti

There’s a Detroit connection in our next item from Kansas City. That’s where a second generation broadcaster will be the next general manager for Hearst’s KMBC-KCWE-TV (ABC/CW). JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI, who’s been a ND for Hearst in two markets, and a Hearst GM in two others markets, currently at WGAL-TV (NBC) in Lancaster, PA. The Detroit connection? Justin’s father, STEVE, was a longtime ND and GM in Detroit.

Justice

Finally, we’re a little tardy in telling you that WSYX/WTTE-TV (Columbus, OH, ABC/FOX) news director JAMIE JUSTICE has been promoted to a Group News Director position for station owner Sinclair Broadcast Group. She’s been the news director there for more than seven years and has worked in at the stations for almost 14 years. Jamie’s also worked in Cleveland (WOIO/WUAB-TV) and Savannah, GA (WSAV-TV).

As mentioned last night, I still expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, December 13, 2021 UPDATE #2:

Greetings:

A second UPDATE in a day usually means a big market (or big name) move, and that’s the case here.

Hoffman

There’s a new news director at KPHO/KTVK-TV (CBS-independent) in Phoenix. SYBIL HOFFMAN, a 19 year veteran of the station(s) has been promoted to news director for this newly-acquired-by-Gray duopoly. Here’s the staff memo from newly arrived General Manager DEBBIE BUSH. Debbie had been GM for sister Gray station WXIX-TV in Cincinnati before taking the Phoenix job.

Sybil came to KTVK in 2002 and moved up the ranks to other jobs, most recently serving as the Assistant News Director. She’s also worked in Norfolk, Greensboro-High Point, and Columbia, MO, where she was graduated from the University of Missouri.

Sybil’s promotion created a shuffle as another news manager moves up. TYSON MILANOVICH will replace Sybil as Assistant ND. He is an executive producer there. More about him in Debbie’s note above.

I expect one top 35 market job to be filled this week with a name many of you will recognize. We’ll dispatch an UPDATE when that happens.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, December 13, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

An interesting development today as a veteran news director takes a new job.

Salamone

DAN SALAMONE, who’s been one of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content Development, has been named news director for the company’s Las Vegas station, KLAS-TV (CBS). Here’s the news release. In that news release, you’ll learn that he will continue to oversee the company’s participation in the conventions of the different minority groups.

Dan first joined Nexstar in 2016 as ND for WTEN-TV in Albany, NY, and moved to the corporate role in 2018. He’s a former ND in Detroit, Cleveland, Portland, OR, Albuquerque, and Providence. He also worked as an EP for WFLD-TV (FOX) in Chicago.

Dan replaces TERRI FOLEY who left the station in September after six years as ND and 35 years at the station, where she began in 1986 as a newsroom coordinator.

The station is (or about to be) without a GM, as LISA HOWFIELD announced her retirement in November after six years as GM. She’d earlier been a GM for the NBC affiliate in Las Vegas.

Dan’s appointment reflects some adjustments in the roles of Nexstar’s Directors of Local Content, of which, I believe, there were five. ANDY MILLER has returned to his former job as ND for WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL. I’m told that the others have new responsibilities that may involve less oversight of local stations.

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

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Just ONE new news director to tell you about this week, and that move created the ONE and only new opening.

Our count of stations with ND openings stands at 41. FOUR of those stations are advertising the openings below.

Always pleased when there are no obituaries.

THREE items in our GM News and Notes section: A veteran GM is on the move, another veteran retires, while a third veteran, former GM takes a new job.

And my days as a police reporter for the New York Herald Tribune paid off this week in the Names in the News segment.

FULL DISCLOSURE: I was never a police reporter for the Herald Tribune. (But it would have been fun.)

TWO of the stories in Names in the News are crime related, though, while the third involves a growing investigative unit for a large broadcaster.

Read on and we’ll see you next week.

Newly Named News Directors:

Fulmer

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH…we covered this week’s only opening in our Wednesday UPDATE: BARRY FULMER joins this Scripps owned ABC affiliate as Senior Director of Local Content (also known in many places as news director). More in this story from the WCPO website. He’s been ND for Block’s WDRB-TV (FOX) in Louisville for 17 years and has also worked in Philadelphia. Barry replaces MIKE CANAN who moved to a job with the Scripps Foundation. Mike spent two years as SDLC at WCPO, part of a 20 year career with Scripps.

New News Director Openings:

WDRB-TV, Louisville, KY…for the second consecutive week we have an ND opening in Louisville. We told you above that BARRY FULMER is headed to Scripps’ WCPO-TV (ABC) as Senior Director of Local Content. Barry was ND for this Block Communications owned FOX affiliate for 17 years.

Please note below TWO new Paid Ads for opening we’ve reported earlier: one for News 12 Long Island and the other for WTVA-TV in Tupelo, MS.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, News 12 Long Island, New York, NY:

The New York metro’s premiere 24/7 cable news operation is looking for an audience focused multi-platform news leader to deliver hyperlocal news to all of Long Island. This rare opening puts you in the suburbs of New York City without fighting the crowds and the commute.

This big city staff of 100+ is eager for an in-touch news director who balances breaking news and weather and beat driven news coverage with an inspirational and innovative style. Our next news leader will have a demonstrated strategic planning capability married with a commitment to advance planning, strong scheduling and digital/social media development.

Click here to learn more and apply.

We’re part of the Altice USA family, America’s fourth largest cable network and partners with Cheddar, the business focused cable channel.

Requirements of this position include demonstration of either full vaccination status against COVID-19 or company-provided weekly COVID-19 testing.

News Director, WTVA-TV, Tupelo, MS:

Are you ready to work for a dominant station and experience what winning BIG feels like? Are you ready for your first News Director gig with a serious news station? Are you tired of chasing #1 with little to no resources?

WTVA, the Allen Media Broadcasting owned NBC and ABC affiliate in Tupelo-Columbus, MS (133), will take your career to a big market experience fast!

AMB is a company that believes in and invests in live, local news (9+ hours each weekday). WTVA has received 7 Emmys in the last 8 years!

Does your current employer invest in your career with training and consulting as if you were a network O & O? Allen Media does, and you could soon be working with Magid consultants who partner with us to improve our winning strategies.

You must be energetic, positive, passionate, competitive, possess strong motivational skills and exceed in recruiting, training and leading across generations.

We live in a cultural hotbed for internationally recognized music, art, and literature. Elvis was born here. BB King, Tennessee Williams and Faulkner, lived here. Grisham still does! 90 minutes from Memphis and near competitive SEC universities (Alabama, Ole Miss and Mississippi State). The cost of living is low and the quality of life is high!

Interested? Just click here to learn more and apply.

EOE

Applicant must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law).

News Director, KXMB-TV, Bismarck, ND:

Become an ND in ND!

Nexstar Nation is looking for a News Director to lead our KX Television Network of stations in Bismarck, North Dakota.

The ideal candidate will be a coach and a teacher. You will lead an experienced team of anchors and meteorologists producing news from studios in Bismarck and Minot, North Dakota.

This is an incredible opportunity to earn your first News Director stripe or to come back to a region filled with opportunity and growth. You will be joining the largest TV station ownership group in the country where promoting from within is a real thing.

Live in a beautiful part of the country surrounded by heritage, history and the great outdoors!

Oh- and did I mention – Western North Dakota is the fastest growing DMA in the country moving from #160 to #141 since 2006.

You got big dreams? We have big opportunities. Great things are happening in Nexstar. What are you waiting for? Apply here:

News Director, KIMT-TV, Rochester, MN:

KIMT-TV is seeking the next leader of our Rochester, Minnesota newsroom.

This is an excellent opportunity to work for Allen Media Broadcasting, a progressive broadcast company with a winning attitude, while enjoying a diverse, Midwestern and rapidly-growing city, home to the renowned Mayo Clinic. We are passionate about local news, very competitive and thrive on new ideas and technologies.

Our News Director will be responsible for managing the newsroom, executing strategies that engage and grow audiences and provides strong news judgment and journalistic integrity. The ability to recruit, train and inspire young journalists is a must.

Candidates must have a broad understanding of newsroom operations, advanced oral and written communication skills and team-building skills. The ability to work in a high-stress environment and three to five years of previous newsroom oversight is required.

Allen Media Broadcasting offers a generous benefit and time-off plan.

To apply, please visit www.kimt.com or send cover letter and resume to: hr@kimt.com

Any offer of employment is contingent upon successfully passing a pre-employment drug test and a background screening. Successful candidate must have a valid driver’s license and a clean driving record. Must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 (subject to any medical or religious accommodations or other applicable law.)

EOE/Minorities/Females/Vet/Disability

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital AND, listed 10/24/21)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 10/24/21)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 11/21/21)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake, UT (11/7/21)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 10/24/21)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (relisted this week)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (new listing this week)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 10/24/21)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 10/3/21)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 11/7/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (relisted 10/31/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 10/10/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (relisted 11/21/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (new listing this week)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted this week)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 12/5/21)
KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 10/17/21)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, relisted 12/5/21)
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 11/28/21)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 11/7/21)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 11/14/21)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 11/7/21)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (listed 10/31/21)
WAFF-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 11/28/21)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (AM EP, listed 10/24/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/21/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 11/21/21)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (new listing this week)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/17/21)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/24/21)
WHBF-TV, Rock Island, IL (Digital EP, relisted this week)
KADN/KLAF-TV, Lafayette, LA (relisted this week)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (relisted this week)
WTWO-TV, Terre Haute, IN (Digital EP, listed 11/14/21)

More News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH: National Director of News Platform Strategies and Special Projects

Relisted this week:

WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 12/5/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL: (News Director – Digital)
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 12/5/21:

KCTV, Kansas City, MO (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 11/28/21:

KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Listed 11/21/21:

Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY: (Assistant Professor)

Relisted 11/21/21:

New York 1, New York, NY (Sr. Producer, Mornings on 1)
KTXL-TV, Sacramento, CA: (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 10/31/21

Spectrum Networks NY1 (Senior Mgr., News and Content)

Listed 10/24/21:

E.W. Scripps, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Director of Community Connection and Inclusive Journalism)

Names in the News:

Griffin

Federal law enforcement officers arrested CNN producer JOHN GRIFFIN on Friday. He’s been charged with three counts of attempting to entice minors to engage in unlawful sexual activity. CNN has suspended him according to this item on its website. Griffin’s Linkedin page says he’s the Senior Producer for New Day, the show anchored until recently by CHRIS CUOMO. Griffin has also worked for ABC, CBS, and FOX.

Kimmel

ELISABETH KIMMEL, whose family once owned KFMB-TV (CBS) in San Diego via Midwest Broadcasting, is headed to prison for six weeks, followed by one year of home detention. She’s the latest to be sentenced in this college admissions scandal. The San Diego Union Tribune reports that she will pay a $250,000 fine and perform 500 hours of community service.

Zurik

Gray Television has upped LEE ZURIK to Vice President- Investigations to oversee the company’s National Investigative Team. That team is based in New Orleans where Lee also anchors for Gray’s WVUE-TV (FOX). It’s part of an expansion of the team, as detailed in this news release.

General Manager News and Notes:

Hitchcock

Veteran General Manager JON HITCHCOCK is on the move, this time to Hubbard’s WNYT-TV (NBC) in Albany, NY. More here. Jon is currently the GM for Tegna’s WTIC-TV (Fox) in Hartford, a job he’s held since April, 2015. Before that he ran CBS’s KYW-TV in Philadelphia for six years and WTNH-TV (ABC) in New Haven, CT.

Harlan

KEVIN HARLAN is retiring after six years as general manager for Nexstar’s WMBD-TV (CBS) in Peoria. (He was also the GM here from 2002-2006.) He’s spent 40 years in our business, 25 as a GM or Managing Director. But what I found interesting is his side job. You’ll have to click on this story from the station’s website to find out about that.

Steinberg

GENE STEINBERG joins Marquee Broadcasting as Chief Operating Officer. Details in the company’s news release. Gene most recently was GM for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, CA, had earlier been a GM for KMIZ-TV (ABC) in Columbia, MO, and…as his Linkedin page details…has worked in a number of other markets.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 12, 2021:

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 Long Island, 1 Media Crossways Woodbury, NY 11797 (see ad above!)
WGCL-TV 425 14th St NW. Atlanta, GA 30318
KPHO/KTVK-TV 5555 N. 7th Ave. Phoenix, AZ 85013
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl Phoenix AZ 85040 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way Sacramento California 95815-5008 **
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WOAI/KABB-TV 4335 NW Loop 410. San Antonio, TX 78229
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas, NV 89109
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WDRB-TV 624 W. Muhammad Ali Blvd. Louisville, Ky. 40203
WPBF-TV 3970 RCA Blvd, Suite 7007 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave., Memphis, TN 38104
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WBAY-TV 115 S Jefferson St Green Bay, WI 54301
WOI-TV 3903 Westown Parkway West Des Moines, IA 50266
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
KOLR-TV 2650 E. Division Springfield, MO 65803
WTVG-TV 4247 Dorr St. Toledo, OH 43607
KVEO/KGBT-TV 9201 W. Expressway 83. Harlingen, TX 78552 **
WSIL-TV 1416 Country Aire Dr. Carterville, IL 62918
WAND-TV 904 South Side Dr. Decatur, IL 62521
KWWL-TV 511 E 5th Street Waterloo, Iowa 50703
KOLO-TV 4850 Ampere Dr., Reno, NV 89502
KNDO/KNDU 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KAPP/KVEW-TV 601 N. Edison Kennewick, WA 99336
KERO-TV 321 21st St. Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WTVA-TV P.O. Box 320, Tupelo, MS 38802 (see ad above!)
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KCBD-TV 5600 Avenue A Lubbock, TX 79404
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th Street Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above!)
KIMT-TV 135 E William St. Albert Lea, MN 56007 (see ad above!)
KAAL-TV 1320 Salem Road SW Rochester, MN 55902
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Road NW Rochester, MN 55901
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway Eureka CA 95503

**: Spanish language station