Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

November 12, 2017

Greetings:

An amazing SIX stations filled news director jobs this week, and, to the best of my knowledge, there are NO new openings, dropping our list of open ND jobs to just 16.

TWO of those stations are CBS o-and-o’s.

FIVE of the new news directors are women.

ALL of the new hires were either promoted within a station or group or had earlier worked for the companies who just hired them.

Read into that what you will.

We have ONE ad for a major market EP openings, and some updates to our list of Other News Management Openings.

There are TWO items in Names in the News, one the retirement of a veteran Houston news manager, and there are new GMs in TWO markets.

Read on!

Newly Named News Directors:

Wilson

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA…this was one of two CBS owned station ND positions to be filled this week: we alerted you to both in UPDATES. JOHN WILSON is the winner here. GM BRIEN KENNEDY sent this note to the staff. John’s been the interim ND since MARGARET CRONAN left in July. He first joined the station in 2003 as an EP and has been the assistant ND for the last seven years. He began his career as a reporter in Corpus Christi, and went on to work in Jackson, MS, Knoxville, Orlando, and Seattle.

Patey

WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN…and in this, the second of the two CBS owned ND jobs filled this week, KARI PATEY is the new ND. It’s a return to Minneapolis and WCCO for Kari, who worked both there and at KSTP-TV before moving to New York where she is currently the Assistant ND for WNBC-TV. She joined WNBC in 2005 as a producer, moved to EP and Senior EP before her ascension to Assistant ND in 2014. WCCO carried this story about her promotion. She replaces MIKE CAPUTA who left in August after six years as ND and 15 years working at WCCO.

Flynn

WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, MI…JULIE FLYNN joins this Tegna owned ABC affiliate from Tegna’s WKYC-TV in Cleveland, where she was an executive producer. She’s spent the last 15 years in Cleveland, working at both WKYC and WEWS-TV. At WZZM, Julie replaces TAZ PAINTER. Taz was ND here for 3 1/2 years, and left in August to become ND for Tegna’s WBIR-TV in Knoxville.

Gibson

KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA…congratulations to ALLISON GIBSON who’s the new ND for this Quincy owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release. She’s been the Assistant ND for Quincy’s WEEK/WHOI-TV in Peoria, and has also worked for News 12 New Jersey and for stations in Roanoke and South Bend. Allison replaces SHANE MORELAND who left two months ago after 3+ years here to become ND for WRIC-TV in Richmond, VA.

Ragan

Roethler

WILX-TV, Lansing, MI…BARB ROETHLER has been named ND for this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate. Barb, a veteran of the Detroit market, been the interim ND since KEVIN RAGAN suffered a stroke almost a year ago. Kevin has decided to retire to concentrate on his recovery. He’s spent 20 years as news director there. GM MIKE KING sent two emails to the staff: one announced Barb’s promotion, the other updated the staff on Kevin’s situation.

Sadiwskyj

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…LENA SADIWSKYJ returns to TV after a 2+ year hiatus in marketing. It’s also a return to Gray Television for Lena, as she takes over at this CBS affiliate. Here’s the memo from GM SPENCER BIENVENU. Lena’s last ND job was at Gray’s WVLT-TV in Knoxville. She’s also been an ND in Orlando, Tucson, Shreveport, has worked in Dallas, Phoenix, Birmingham, as well as Toronto and Halifax in her native Canada. Lena also taught at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She replaces APRIL DAVIS who left in September after just over a year as ND.

New News Director Openings:

Once again, I’m not aware of any new openings. We welcome your emailed tips, but are not very fond of anonymous ones. We do, however, protect our sources.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Morning Executive Producer, WJLA-TV, Washington, DC:

WJLA-TV, located in the Nation’s Capital in Washington, D.C., has an immediate opening for an energetic Morning Executive Producer for “Good Morning Washington”. This individual will be responsible for executing our vision, while also working with the assistance of other News Managers to provide the best, most interesting, informative and entertaining morning newscast. We are looking for an imaginative, focused and level headed EP who will not only lead, but bring a unique approach to the show’s production and storytelling, and who also has the know-how to win the multi-platform race.

You must have the experience and drive to not only own breaking news and weather, but to crush it! We have a large and dedicated team committed to growing our 5 ½ morning show. The new team leader must maintain our forward momentum, focus, and creative energy. The EP will work closely with the Director of News to develop and execute long-term newsroom strategy. The ideal candidate must have several years producing and at least 3-years as an EP.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Sinclair Broadcast Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
and a drug free workplace!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 9/24/17)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/15/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (new listing this week)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (listed 10/29/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (AM EP, listed 11/5/17, see ad above!)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 9/24/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised 10/15/17)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 10/22/17)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & Dayside, listing revised 10/8/17)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Weekend EP, listed 9/24/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listing modified 9/24/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Nightside EP, listing revised 10/29/17)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (new listing this week)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 11/5/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 9/17/17)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/8/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (new listing this week)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 9/24/17)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 10/22/17)

Names in the News (and other items):

WSLS-TV in Roanoke has a new Assistant News Director. JOSH BEAUCHAMP, a morning Executive Producer from sister station WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, heads north and will start in mid-December.

McFarland

Longtime KPRC-TV (Houston) news manager RICK McFARLAND will retire at the end of the year. He’s currently Senior EP for this Graham Media owned NBC affiliate. In his 30+ year career at KPRC, he’s also been the Assistant ND and spent almost two years as ND there. Not bad for someone who started as a sports photographer! Rick’s also worked in Syracuse and for another Houston station, and in Columbia, MO, where we were classmates at Missouri. Friends can wish him well via an email to: rickm@kprc.com

General Manager News and Notes:

Two GM moves this week.

In Kansas City, CHUCK PODUSKA has been named GM of Meredth’s KCTV. He’s been the Vice President of Finance for Meredith’s Local Media Group but earlier spent 15 years as business manager at KCTV. He replaces MIKE CUKYNE who was GM for about three years.

And LARRY FORSGREN adds the GM duties to his job at Scripps’ KMTV in Omaha. He’s been the Director of sales there since last year.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 12, 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

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
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 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
Spectrum News 2505 Atlantic Ave. #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North, Wichita, KS 67219
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
WNDU-TV 54516 IN-933, South Bend, IN 46637
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139. Great Falls MT 59403
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, MT, 59403

**: Spanish language station

November 5, 2017

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 UPDATE #2:

It’s been a busy day for the CBS owned stations, as the second of two news director openings was filled.

Patey

KARI PATEY, currently the assistant news director for WNBC-TV in New York, returns to the Twin Cities as news director for CBS’s WCCO-TV. As you’ll learn from this story on the station’s website, she began her career there as a morning news producer.

Kari later moved to KSTP-TV in Minneapolis before heading to the Big Apple, working first for Fox News Channel. She joined WNBC in 2005 as a producer, and moved up to executive producer and senior executive producer before being named assistant ND in 2014.

At WCCO, she replaces MIKE CAPUTA who left the station in August after six years as ND and 15 years at the station.

Barring any further major moves, we’ll be back this weekend with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, November 7, 2017 UPDATE:

One of two news director openings at CBS owned stations has been filled with an internal promotion.

Wilson

JOHN WILSON has been named ND for KYW-TV in Philadelphia. Here’s the memo from GM BRIEN KENNEDY to the staff.

John first joined the station in 2003 as an EP and was promoted to Assistant ND in 2010. He’s been the interim ND since MARGARET CRONAN left in July after almost two years as ND. He’s also worked in Seattle, Orlando, Knoxville, Jackson, MS, and Corpus Christi, where he began his career as a reporter.

The other CBS o-and-o ND opening is at WCCO-TV in Minneapolis.

More on all the latest news in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Just ONE news director change this week as a FIVE time news director lands his SIXTH ND job.

That means our list of open ND jobs drops to 21.

ONE of those ND openings is among our THREE Paid Help Wanted Ads.

We have lots of items about former news directors taking new jobs (none of them as news directors, btw.) Those are covered in Names in the News along with a number of other management promotions.

All that and more below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Sipes

KLFY-TV, Lafayette, LA…MICHAEL SIPES will start later this month as the new news director for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. He’s a former news director in Kansas City, Louisville, Wichita, Jackson, MS, and Colorado Springs. Since leaving KAKE-TV in Wichita last year, he’s been working in social media and public relations as you’ll see here. At KLFY, he replaces KYLE BRINKMAN who left last May to become ND at sister-Nexstar station WCBD-TV in Charleston, SC.

New News Director Openings:

I’m not aware of any this week. A reminder: we welcome your emailed tips, but are not fond of anonymous ones. We do, however, protect our sources.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Morning Executive Producer, WJLA-TV, Washington, DC:

Click here to learn more and apply!

Sinclair Broadcast Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
and a drug free workplace!

News Director, WVVA-TV, Bluefield, WV:

WVVA TV, West Virginia Broadcasters Associations’ 2017 Station of the Year and dominant NBC affiliate in Bluefield, WV, is seeking an energized, caring, competitive, take charge newsroom leader.

Situated in southern WV in Nature’s Air Conditioned City enjoy year round outdoor activities including golfing, hiking, white water rafting, ATV trails and skiing within minutes of your door. Great communities in which to live and work.

As WVVA’s News Director you are coaching, guiding and mentoring on a continuous basis. Are you someone that has heart, wants to make a difference and grow beyond traditional broadcast news? An excellent opportunity to join our award winning team, if you have a passion for excellence, and a burning desire to lead the number one television news team in the Bluefield/Beckley WV market we want to hear from you.

A minimum of 5 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism preferred. Successful candidate must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, as well as sound journalistic principles. Must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

WVVA, is part of Quincy Media, Inc., a family owned company operating television stations in 15 markets. This means internal opportunities and professional growth. Visit us at www.wvva.com

Please send your resume, reel and references to WVVA TV, Human Resources, 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield, WV 24701 or email hr@wvva.com.

WVVA is an equal opportunity employer.

Executive Producer, KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA:

If you are a hands-on leader with a passion for quality journalism, great storytelling, and an eye for compelling showcasing we have a great job for you!

KOMO-TV in Seattle, Washington (market #12) is looking for an Executive Producer of our award winning newscasts. The ideal candidate has a passion for news, a strong background in television news production, and a vision for how to provide viewers with fresh, interesting, relevant content every day.

We expect our EP’s to find cool new ways of incorporating digital content into our daily coverage. Duties include providing input and constructive oversight for our team on story selection and presentation, reviewing reporter scripts for creativity and accuracy, and coaching the team on owning coverage of breaking news, telling compelling stories, implementing strategic initiatives, managing measurement metrics, showcasing weather, and creating an energetic newscast.

The ideal candidate is a supportive leader who will help grow our competitive and innovative culture.

We are located in one of America’s most livable cities, and if this seems like a good fit please apply by clicking here.