Rick Gevers & Associates

November 15, 2015

Greetings:

A slightly slower week than the past few, but we still have TWO new news directors and TWO new openings in this week’s edition.

So, our count of open news director jobs remains at 20.

ONE of those open positions in among the FIVE paid help wanted ads below. All of this week’s ads are for positions in top 40 markets.

We have a few more details about the passing of former news director DOUG RETHERFORD, news of new jobs for former NDs and GMs, and we’ll tell you why the staff of a Fargo station duct-taped their news director to a flagpole.

Oh, and they threw a pie in his face, too.

That’s all below!

New News Director Openings:

Wood

KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ…we shared with you earlier this week that LEONA WOOD is stepping down as ND for this Meredith owned duopoly after the November rating period. She told her staff that is was to spend more time with her family. Leona was promoted to ND here just over two years ago. She’s a former news director in Spokane, and has also worked in Seattle. Her entire background is here on her Linkedin page.

Karli

KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA…TODD KARLI is leaving this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate, apparently for an anchor job in Salisbury, MD. He’s worked here for 13 years, at least eight of them as news director and anchor.

Newly Named News Directors:

McConico

WPMT-TV, Harrisburg, PA…MATT McCONICO has made the long drive east from Reno and will start Monday as the next news director for this Tribune owned Fox affiliate. He spent the last 5 1/2 years at KRNV-TV in Reno, 4 1/2 as ND, a job he left last April. He’s also worked in Ft. Myers (for two different operations), Green Bay, and Eau Claire, WI. At WPMT, he replaces DAVID SILVERSTEIN who left the station in August. David was ND there for almost three years.

Swope

WCHS/WVAH-TV, Charleston, WV…congratulations to CHRIS SWOPE who’s been promoted to news director for this Sinclair operated ABC/FOX duopoly. He’s been the Assistant ND here and, earlier, the EP, since March 2012. Chris has also worked in Columbia, SC, Greenville and Charleston, SC, as well as Atlanta, and Pittsburgh. He replaces MATT SNYDER who left the station in August after eight years as news director.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WROC-TV, Rochester, NY:

WROC (CBS) and RochesterFirst.com in Rochester, NY are seeking an experienced journalist to lead our team and serve as the next News Director. This is a unique opening at the fastest growing news operation in the Rochester market (DMA #78).

Our next News Director must be committed to exceptional local storytelling. We need a hands on “teacher” who understands how to showcase the news events through graphics, video, writing and sound. The successful candidate must be well organized and able to clearly communicate a vision to be successful on all platforms. Digital and social media will be a significant focus for the next News Director. You must be able to demonstrate a strategy to produce relevant and unique content for traditional websites, mobile, apps and more. This includes social media where we need a candidate who can increase engagement with our digital users.

Rochester is located on the shores of Lake Ontario to the north and the Finger Lakes to the south which includes some of New York State’s best wineries. Educational opportunities abound at all levels from excellent public and private elementary and secondary schools, to colleges and universities, including the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology. This is truly a great place to raise a family. The region is also the summer home of the Buffalo Bills and will host the 2023 PGA Championship. Cultural amenities include the Rochester Philharmonic, Broadway theater performances, museums and public parks including Letchworth State Park, recently named by USA Today as the nation’s #1 state park.

Please apply by clicking here.

WROC-TV8 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeeds on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business.

The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
  Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
  Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
  Must know news and what is important to the community.
  Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
  Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems

Click here to apply!

Senior Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a dynamic Senior Executive Producer with a proven track record. WBNS is the #1 station in Columbus, Ohio. The successful candidate will be responsible for the production, execution and overall presentation of our daily newscasts, while providing leadership in the newsroom, managing producers and associate producers, ensuring writing meets station standards, coordinating with other departments for daily newscast production and assisting in development of news department strategy.

This position requires at least eight years experience in local television news as a Producer and Executive Producer (with at least three years as EP or similar). The candidate must have excellent news judgment and communication skills, and above average writing and storytelling skills. Ability to manage and influence a large group and to work effectively in often stressful situations required. Experience in investigative journalism and digital platforms are a plus.

Please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume when you click here to apply.

Morning Executive Producer, KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV:

Employment Category: Full Time

Division: The E.W. Scripps Company

Work Schedule: Holidays, Week Day (M-F), Week Day Variable, Weekends

Responsibilities: Responsible for managing the content, and showcasing across multiple platforms, ensuring that the station is competitive within the market. Key duties include coordinating content and presentations across multiple platforms, create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms, and manage schedules, overtime and performance for assigned direct reports.

Education Requirements: College Degree.

Relevant Experience: At least 5 years’ newsroom management experience preferred; must have previous experience as a newscast producer.

Additional Skills: Managing other people, maintaining steady workflow and productivity, and resolving operational problems and making difficult decisions.

To apply for this position visit this site and create a candidate profile.

KTNV-TV, an E.W. Scripps Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

11:00 Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a Late-night Producer to oversee the production, execution, and overall presentation of its award-winning 11pm newscast.

WBNS is the #1 station in Columbus, Ohio. The successful candidate must have a proven track record of producing compelling newscasts with high production standards. Will be responsible for crafting creative newscasts that are clear, concise and memorable. Great producing skills needed with an emphasis on showcasing.

Must be able to produce newscasts that reinforce our position as Central Ohio’s News Leader.

Producer will be responsible for multi-platform content including but not limited to social media and 10TV.com. Must have editorial and production skills to own big story/breaking news coverage by utilizing all resources including dejero, satellite trucks, multiple live trucks, helicopter, social media and digital assets.

Please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume when you click here to apply.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (new listing this week)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 11/1/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, listed 11/8/15, see ad above!)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 11/1/15)
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
New England Cable News, Boston, MA (Dayside EP, listed 9/20/15)
KOMO-TV (AM EP, listed 11/8/15)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing revised 11/8/15)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, listed 9/20/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, listed 11/8/15, see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 11/1/15, see ad above!)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (Nightside EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 10/4/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 11/8/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (listed 10/11/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/20/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 10/18/15)

Obituary:

Retherford

A memorial service was held last Friday in Davenport, IA, for former news director DOUG RETHERFORD who died last Sunday (November 8th) at the age of 65. He spent 15 years as ND for KWQC-TV in the Quad Cities, and one year as public affairs director there. Doug later served as ND for the Independent News Network, based then in Davenport, He also had been an ND in Topeka and Ft. Smith, AR. This obituary has much more about his life and career.

Names in the News…and other things:

BRITTANY WOODEN has been promoted to Executive Producer for WTVM-TV in Columbus, GA. She had been a producer there and has also worked in Huntsville.

Click here to see why the staff of WDAY-TV (Fargo, ND) duct-taped news director JEFF NELSON to a flag pole. And they threw a pie in his face, too.

Former KIVI-TV (Boise) News Director and anchor LYNN HIGHTOWER has a new job. She’ll be the director of the Downtown Boise Association. More here.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

General Manager News:

Ogle

Longtime Topeka General Manager JIM OGLE has a new job. He’s been named director of the Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, based in Lawrence. Learn more about that and Jim’s new job here. He’s a former ND in Greensboro, NC, Lexington and Reno, and also worked in Miami and Columbia, MO.

LUIS HERNANDEZ is out as GM of Telemundo’s KVDA-TV in San Antonio. Media Moves has more on the change.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, November 15, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KPHO/KTVK-TV, 5555 N 7th Ave. Phoenix AZ 85013
KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610 (see ad above!)
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston SC 29414
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
KALB-TV 605 Washington St. Alexandria LA 71301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601

* Spanish language station

November 8, 2015

Wednesday, November 11, 2015 UDPATE:

Happy Veteran’s Day.

Retherford

We have now have details on arrangements for former news director DOUG RETHERFORD whose death we reported to you earlier this week. Doug died unexpectedly last Sunday at the age of 65.  He spent 15 years as a ND in Davenport, IA, and also served as a news director in Topeka and Ft. Smith, AR.

A memorial service will be held this Friday evening, November 13, at 7:00 PM at the Runge Mortuary Chapel in Davenport, IA. He will be buried in his native Kansas City.

This obituary from the funeral home website has more on Doug’s life and career, with one interesting fact I’d didn’t know. He served as part of the Honor Guard for the funeral for President HARRY S. TRUMAN.

We’ll be back later this week with our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Tuesday, November 10, 2015 UPDATE:

There’s a news director change in market 12 to share with you this morning.

Wood

LEONA WOOD, who’s spent the last two years as news director of Meredith’s KPHO/KTVK-TV in Phoenix, will leave this Meredith owned duopoly at the end of the month. She told her staff that she wants to spend more time with her family.

Leona was the Assistant ND for KPHO before being promoted to ND, and worked as an EP for KTVK before that, and is a former news director for KXLY-TV in Spokane. There’s more on her background on her Linkedin page.

More on this story…and all the latest developments…in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, November 9, 2015 UPDATE:

Retherford

I’m sorry to report the death of long time news director DOUG RETHERFORD. Doug died Sunday in Davenport, IA, where he’d lived for the last 25 or so years. He was 65. I’ve not yet seen any additional details.

The local newspaper remembers Doug here.

Doug was the ND for KWQC-TV in Davenport from 1989 to 2004 before becoming the station’s public affairs director for a year. He later went on to be the news director for the Independent News Network which was headquartered in Davenport.

Earlier in his career, he was a news director for six years in Topeka and (briefly) in Ft. Smith, AR. He also worked in Joplin, MO, as an anchor and executive producer.

I hope to find more details, and, when I do, I’ll update this site.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

An exciting Colts-Broncos game (sorry, Holly!) has delayed our weekly report, and it’s a lengthy one.

And it’s another week with a lot of open ND jobs being filled, with FOUR new hires to share with you, and just ONE new opening. That drops our list of open jobs to just 20!

THREE of those open jobs are featured among our NINE help wanted ads this week.

You’ll find the names of TEN news managers, past and present, in our Names in the News segment. And there’s one GM change…an unusual story where someone is replacing the person who replaced him!

And we have details about the death of a long-ago New York City news director in our one obituary.

Get a fresh cup of coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice is) and read on!

New News Director Openings:

Howard

WROC-TV, Rochester, NY…CONNIE HOWARD is leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate after three years at the station (and two as news director) to become an Executive Producer for WRC-TV, the NBC o-and-o in Washington. Connie’s been an ND in Baltimore, Raleigh, and Birmingham, and worked in New York City, Dallas, and Pittsburgh. Earlier in her career, Connie reported for WROC. You can learn more about this opening in the paid help wanted ad below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Henriquez

KINC-TV, Las Vegas, NV…RAFAEL HENRIQUEZ has been named ND for this Univision affiliate. He had been the ND for KLUZ-TV in Albuquerque until Entravision eliminated local production of newscasts there at the end of October. He’d been ND at KLUZ since April. He’s also worked in Los Angeles, Denver, and Laredo. At KINC, Rafael replaces ADRIAN AREVALO. We told you last week that she was leaving KINC after nine years as ND.

BTW, Entravision is also dismantling local newscast production in Tampa. More in this story from Media Moves.

Minnaugh

WTKR/WGNT-TV, Norfolk, VA…a promotion within Tribune sends RYAN MINNAUGH here as as News Director. (WTKR/WGNT also got a new GM last week…more on that in GM news below.) Ryan’s been the Assistant ND for WXIN/WTTV in Indianapolis for more than three years. Click here to read the memo from ND KERRI CAVANAUGH. Ryan previously served as an EP for Tribune’s Denver duopoly, KDVR/KWGN-TV, and has also worked in Cleveland, Syracuse, and for CNBC. He replaces TINA LUQUE (BLACKLOCKE) who left the station last month after seven years as ND.

Heverling

WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY…congratulations to ROB HEVERLING who’s returning to the news director chair for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate. Rob’s been the Assistant ND for WOIO/WUAB-TV in Cleveland for almost four years. He’s a former ND in Little Rock, Fayetteville, AR, and Duluth. He’s also worked in Denver and for other stations in Little Rock and Cleveland. Rob replaces LISA POLSTER who left in June to become an EP at WIVB-TV in Buffalo after 18 months as ND.

Tegels

WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV…LON TEGELS is already on the job as the next ND for this West Virginia Media Holdings CBS/FOX operation. He most recently served as the Assistant ND for WBRZ-TV in Baton Rouge. Lon’s also been a news director in Gulfport, MS, Lima, OH, Rockford, IL, Des Moines. He’s also worked in Hartford and San Diego. At WVNS, Lon replaces MARK DURHAM who left the station recently (when his contract expired) after three years as ND.

Also, to clarify an earlier story: We told you that JENNA HUFF was the new ND for Sinclair’s FOX affiliate in Macon, GA (WGXA-TV) and that she had been the ND for sister-Sinclair & Fox station WFXL-TV in Albany, GA. We were wrong on the verb tense there: she is ND for both stations, and oversees WFXL with the help of an onsite manager, BRIAN PERKINS.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WROC-TV, Rochester, NY:

WROC (CBS) and RochesterFirst.com in Rochester, NY are seeking an experienced journalist to lead our team and serve as the next News Director. This is a unique opening at the fastest growing news operation in the Rochester market (DMA #78).

Our next News Director must be committed to exceptional local storytelling. We need a hands on “teacher” who understands how to showcase the news events through graphics, video, writing and sound. The successful candidate must be well organized and able to clearly communicate a vision to be successful on all platforms. Digital and social media will be a significant focus for the next News Director. You must be able to demonstrate a strategy to produce relevant and unique content for traditional websites, mobile, apps and more. This includes social media where we need a candidate who can increase engagement with our digital users.

Rochester is located on the shores of Lake Ontario to the north and the Finger Lakes to the south which includes some of New York State’s best wineries. Educational opportunities abound at all levels from excellent public and private elementary and secondary schools, to colleges and universities, including the University of Rochester and the Rochester Institute of Technology. This is truly a great place to raise a family. The region is also the summer home of the Buffalo Bills and will host the 2023 PGA Championship. Cultural amenities include the Rochester Philharmonic, Broadway theater performances, museums and public parks including Letchworth State Park, recently named by USA Today as the nation’s #1 state park.

Please apply by clicking here.

WROC-TV8 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Morning Executive Producer, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

We are seeking an Executive Producer who will take the editorial lead each day and develop multi-platform content that succeeds on air and on digital. This individual will manage, coach, and motivate a team of producers, writers, reporters, anchors, and photojournalists who are among the best in the business.

The Executive Producer is responsible for the overall content of assigned newscasts, manages all aspects of breaking news, social engagement, and ensures the product stays on brand. Effective communication and decision making under daily deadline pressure are a must. The Executive Producer must have strong ethics, a solid producing background, a desire and ability to win the day, and be an exceptional troubleshooter. This individual must be able to generate unique content, and develop and produce specials as required. The EP will also work closely with other news managers and the News Director to implement winning strategies for each newscast.

We are seeking a candidate with the following:

• Bachelor’s degree in journalism or related field.
  Must have five or more years producing experience in a major television market.
  Must be able to effectively manage people & act decisively under pressure.
  Must know news and what is important to the community.
  Must have social media knowledge and a digital footprint.
  Must have technical expertise to booth live newscasts and troubleshoot problems

Click here to apply!

Senior Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a dynamic Senior Executive Producer with a proven track record. WBNS is the #1 station in Columbus, Ohio. The successful candidate will be responsible for the production, execution and overall presentation of our daily newscasts, while providing leadership in the newsroom, managing producers and associate producers, ensuring writing meets station standards, coordinating with other departments for daily newscast production and assisting in development of news department strategy.

This position requires at least eight years experience in local television news as a Producer and Executive Producer (with at least three years as EP or similar). The candidate must have excellent news judgment and communication skills, and above average writing and storytelling skills. Ability to manage and influence a large group and to work effectively in often stressful situations required. Experience in investigative journalism and digital platforms are a plus.

Please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume when you click here to apply.

Morning Executive Producer, KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV:

Employment Category: Full Time

Division: The E.W. Scripps Company

Work Schedule: Holidays, Week Day (M-F), Week Day Variable, Weekends

Responsibilities: Responsible for managing the content, and showcasing across multiple platforms, ensuring that the station is competitive within the market. Key duties include coordinating content and presentations across multiple platforms, create tactics and strategies to increase demo performance in key target areas for multiple platforms, and manage schedules, overtime and performance for assigned direct reports.

Education Requirements: College Degree.

Relevant Experience: At least 5 years’ newsroom management experience preferred; must have previous experience as a newscast producer.

Additional Skills: Managing other people, maintaining steady workflow and productivity, and resolving operational problems and making difficult decisions.

To apply for this position visit this site and create a candidate profile.

KTNV-TV, an E.W. Scripps Company, is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

11:00 Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-10TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a Late-night Producer to oversee the production, execution, and overall presentation of its award-winning 11pm newscast.

WBNS is the #1 station in Columbus, Ohio. The successful candidate must have a proven track record of producing compelling newscasts with high production standards. Will be responsible for crafting creative newscasts that are clear, concise and memorable. Great producing skills needed with an emphasis on showcasing.

Must be able to produce newscasts that reinforce our position as Central Ohio’s News Leader.

Producer will be responsible for multi-platform content including but not limited to social media and 10TV.com. Must have editorial and production skills to own big story/breaking news coverage by utilizing all resources including dejero, satellite trucks, multiple live trucks, helicopter, social media and digital assets.

Please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume when you click here to apply.

News Director, KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV:

A rare, senior management opportunity has opened in the News Department of Southern Nevada’s “Local. Las Vegas,” News Team – KVVU/FOX5 LAS VEGAS!

News Director Position Summary:

The News Director develops newscasts that attract the largest available audience and generate the highest ratings possible. This position manages departmental budgets to control costs; manages vendor and service contracts. The News Director negotiates talent contracts and manages news employee retention and recruitment. In addition, this position seeks out profitable non-traditional revenue opportunities.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field, or equivalent training and/or experience.

Experience:

Five years minimum experience in television news management.

Skills and Abilities:

Thorough understanding of television news operations, possesses Leadership skills, understands promoting and branding a newscast, excellent verbal/written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines

To apply online for this exciting opportunity in the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” just click here.

Meredith/KVVU Broadcasting provides equal employment opportunity to all people.

News Director, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:

Emmy award winning; dominant NBC affiliate KTIV, Sioux City, Iowa is seeking an energized, caring, competitive, take charge newsroom leader. This is not a sit behind a desk job. As the News Director, you are coaching, guiding and mentoring on a continuous level. KTIV is one of the top 10 NBC affiliates in the country.

KTIV News Four is a continuous local news source with an immediate deadline mentality. The News Director directly oversees all involved in our news gathering and distributionprocesses. This manager directs the development of our content,weighs the full editorial possibility of every story, and makes immediate decisions on how it will be disseminated on the appropriate platforms.

A minimum of 6 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, as well as sound journalistic principles, and must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Sioux City, Iowa we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume, reel and references to:

Bridget Breen
Station Manager
KTIV Television
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108

Email:  bbreen@ktiv.com

EOE – No phone calls please.

Morning Executive Producer, KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA:

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Bay Area – KNTV is the NBC owned television station serving San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and ten Bay Area counties.

Job Purpose:

The Morning News Executive Producer is a leadership position overseeing the editorial, production and promotion components of the morning newscast. The Executive Producer’s role is to oversee production of news content on multi-platforms, provide guidance and direction to news employees and perform as a member of the news management team.

Responsibilities Include:

* Conceive and execute daily programs incorporating top news stories and live reports (hard and feature)
* Direct and deliver production elements on a deadline. Manage and supervise On-Air Talent, Content Producers and Production team.
* Review daily line-up of stories and segments; develop future segments, stories and interviews for all platforms
* Collaborate with Creative Services Department on daily topical promotions
* Cooperate and interact with NBC News and assure compliance with all relevant laws and company policy on broadcasts and news operations

Basic Qualifications:

* Minimum of five years’ experience as a television Executive Producer in a medium or large market
* Bachelor’s Degree

Interested Candidates may apply by clicking here:

Assistant News Director/Content Manager, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:

Are you an aggressive, seasoned producer with an unending passion for news, ready to be #2 in the newsroom?

KTIV, the #1 Station in Sioux City seeks a career-minded journalist with strong leadership skills to join our winning team as Assistant News Director/Content Manager. You will drive News4’s editorial process, constantly guiding our multi-media journalists and producers to develop news content on all platforms; managing a continuous flow of information to website, mobile devices, social networking sites and local news broadcasts.

We are looking for a proactive person who shines at showcasing our content, whether it’s a special project or daily breaking news. You must have excellent writing skills and news judgement in producing our top newscast. You will also work closely with the News Director and Internet Director to ensure comprehensive coverage on all platforms.

This is a senior newsroom position, perfect for the aspiring news director. The successful candidate will have a four-year degree, preferably in broadcast news/journalism or related field and significant producing, writing and newsgathering experience in a commercial newsroom.

KTIV is an Emmy award winning team that works hard and is committed to excellence.

Send resume, news philosophy, cover letter and references to:

Bridget Breen
Station Manager
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108

Email:  bbreen@ktiv.com

EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted 11/1/15, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 11/1/15, see ad above!)
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
New England Cable News, Boston, MA (Dayside EP, listed 9/20/15)
KOMO-TV (AM EP, new listing this week)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing revised this week)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, listed 9/20/15)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, listed 11/1/15, see ad above!)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (Nightside EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 10/4/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted this week)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (relisted 9/13/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (listed 10/11/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/20/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 10/18/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 10/25/15)

Obituary:

JIM CUSICK, who was served as news director of WCBS-TV in New York, died this week of lung cancer. His Linkedin bio outlines his career which included author and playwright. His former co-worker at WCBS, ROLLAND SMITH, remembers his friend here.

Names in the News…and other things:

Hume

Veteran newsman CRAIG HUME heads to Raleigh as Senior Director, News for Time Warner Cable. Craig will oversee TWC’s four news channels in North Carolina. Here’s the memo sent to the staff. Craig’s helped launch Central Florida News 13 in Orlando, so he has cable experience. He’s also been an ND in Los Angeles, Chicago, San Diego, Las Vegas (two stations) and Harrisburg, PA.

SARAH GARZA is the new manager of the NBC Telemundo Consumer response unit based in Dallas. She will be working with all the NBC and Telemundo owned stations. Sarah moved to Dallas when her husband, MARK GINTHER, was named VP/News for NBC’s KXAS-TV. She had been the Assistant ND at KOMO-TV in Seattle.

RICK MARTIN joins WGCL-TV in Atlanta as Assignment Manager. He didn’t have to move, presumably. He’s spent the last 12 years as a Senior News Editor at CNN, and has also worked in Washington, DC, Baltimore, and Philadelphia.

KIRK GORDON has been named News Operations Manager for KPRC-TV in Houston. He won’t have to move, either, since he’s worked there for the past three years as a director. He earlier worked for another Graham Media station in Jacksonville as a director.

KSTP-TV has reached into the newspaper ranks to hire its new EP of its investigative unit. PAUL McENROE joins that Hubbard-owned ABC station from the Star Tribune.

We have news of two former NDs and changes in their roles with public broadcasters. Congratulations to ROGER LaMAY, a former ND and GM in Philadelphia, who has been elected Chairman of the Board of the NPR Board of Directors. And MICHELLE GORS is stepping down as President and CEO of Wichita’s KPTS-TV after nine years in that role.  She’d earlier been the ND for KWCH-TV there.

FRANK WHITAKER, station manager and VP/News for WMAQ-TV in Chicago, was one of six broadcasters selected for the Silver Circle of the Chicago Television Academy. Three others were honored posthumously.

We like to pay tribute in this space to those that went before us. In that light, we’ll share with you details of a new scholarship honoring BOS JOHNSON, the longtime ND for WSAZ-TV in Charleston/Huntington, WV. Bos and NICK BASSO, who Bos replaced, were honored at a memorial service a few weeks ago in Huntington. This video shows highlights of their careers.

Finally, as you likely know, a crowd estimated at 800,000 turned out in Kansas City to cheer on the World Champion Kansas City Royals. You saw that, but you may not have been this 23 second long time lapse video of the celebration captured by a Weather Metrics camera and sent to us by friend PETER LEVY of Weather Metrics.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

General Manager News:

Valet

SKIP VALET will be the next GM for Tribune’s WTKR/WGNT-TV in Norfolk, where he’ll replace the man who replaced him as GM of WKMG-TV in Orlando, JEFF HOFFMAN. Both men are former news directors turned general managers. Skip was an ND in Jacksonville, Orlando, and Houston before returning to Orlando as GM. Full disclosure: I hired Skip as a production assistant in Jacksonville, where he worked his way up to news director.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, November 8, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *’
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014 (see ad above!)
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York PA 17403
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610 (see ad above!)
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston SC 29414
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108 (see ad above!)
KALB-TV 605 Washington St. Alexandria LA 71301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601

* Spanish language station

November 1, 2015

Greetings:

Dropping almost as much as the temperatures in some part of the country is the number of open news director jobs. Our figures show just 23 such openings, down from over 40 just a few weeks ago.

In part, that’s due to FIVE newly named news directors which we’ll tell you about in this week’s newsletter. And there’s just ONE new opening.

TWO of those open ND jobs are featured in one of the FOUR paid help wanted ads.

We’re sorry to report the passing of THREE former news directors. Those items are in our obituary section below. We’ll also tell you about the retirement of a former ND turned GM.

In Names in the News, we’ll provide links to two interesting background reports on the murders of two news people last August at WDBJ-TV in Roanoke. There’s also news of three new news managers at an NBC o-and-0, and a new job for a former ND and corporate news executive.

Read on, and have a great week!

New News Director Openings:

KINC-TV, Las Vegas, NV…ADRIANA AREVALO has stepped down as the ND for this Entravision owned Univision station. MediaMoves.com tells us the move was her decision, made after nine years as ND there. More here from Media Moves.

Newly Named News Directors:

Polowczuk

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA…veteran newsman LEE POLOWCZUK has been promoted to news director for this Manship owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the assistant news director and investigative executive producer for almost three years here. More here. Lee’s a former ND in Greenville, SC, New Orleans, and West Palm Beach, FL. He’s also worked in Orlando and Monroe, LA, and took a nine year detour to work with an old friend at an ad agency. Lee will replace CHUCK BARK when he retires at the end of the year after eleven years as ND.

Huff

WGXA-TV, Macon, GA…you may remember my whining last week about the difficulty of finding the name of the new ND for this Sinclair owned FOX affiliate. We’re grateful to JENNA HUFF who let me know that she’s that person (and her GM, who also emailed to update me.) Jenna came from another Sinclair station, WFXL-TV, in Albany, GA, where she was ND for four years. She’s also worked as a reporter in Knoxville. She replaces GAVIN MALISKA who left in May after more than three years as news director.

Schlesser

WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…JEFF SCHLESSER has been named ND for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. It was a relatively short move for Jeff: he’d been working as the special projects producer for WTVT-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Tampa. He previously worked in Milwaukee, Madison, and Eau Claire, WI. At WCTV, he replaces STAN SANDERS who left the station in June after three years as ND. (You’ll note Stan’s new job below.)

Sanders

WBBJ-TV, Jackson, TN…as teased above, veteran news director STAN SANDERS has been named news director for this Bahakel owned ABC affiliate. Stan most recently was the ND for WCTV in Tallahassee. He’s also been a news director in Columbus, OH, and Jackson, MS. Stan replaces SHANDA SANDSTORM who left the station in July after two years as news director.

Ohnemus

KULR-TV, Billings, MT…PHILLIP OHNEMUS is the new ND for this Cowles owned NBC affiliate. He spent almost 14 years at WIAT-TV in Birmingham, with an unusual career path: He began as a reporter, spent eight months as a maintenance engineer, and the last three years as a producer. At KULR, he replaces ALAN WAGMEISTER who left the station this summer to become a news director for WPTA/WISE-TV in Ft. Wayne.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV:

A rare, senior management opportunity has opened in the News Department of Southern Nevada’s “Local. Las Vegas,” News Team – KVVU/FOX5 LAS VEGAS!

News Director Position Summary:

The News Director develops newscasts that attract the largest available audience and generate the highest ratings possible. This position manages departmental budgets to control costs; manages vendor and service contracts. The News Director negotiates talent contracts and manages news employee retention and recruitment. In addition, this position seeks out profitable non-traditional revenue opportunities.

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Broadcast Journalism or related field, or equivalent training and/or experience.

Experience:

Five years minimum experience in television news management.

Skills and Abilities:

Thorough understanding of television news operations, possesses Leadership skills, understands promoting and branding a newscast, excellent verbal/written communication skills, and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously and meet deadlines

To apply online for this exciting opportunity in the “Entertainment Capital of the World,” just click here.

Meredith/KVVU Broadcasting provides equal employment opportunity to all people.

News Director, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:

Emmy award winning; dominant NBC affiliate KTIV, Sioux City, Iowa is seeking an energized, caring, competitive, take charge newsroom leader. This is not a sit behind a desk job. As the News Director, you are coaching, guiding and mentoring on a continuous level. KTIV is one of the top 10 NBC affiliates in the country.

KTIV News Four is a continuous local news source with an immediate deadline mentality. The News Director directly oversees all involved in our news gathering and distributionprocesses. This manager directs the development of our content,weighs the full editorial possibility of every story, and makes immediate decisions on how it will be disseminated on the appropriate platforms.

A minimum of 6 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, as well as sound journalistic principles, and must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Sioux City, Iowa we want to hear from you.

Please send your resume, reel and references to:

Bridget Breen
Station Manager
KTIV Television
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108

Email:  bbreen@ktiv.com

EOE – No phone calls please.

Morning Executive Producer, KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA:

NBCUniversal is one of the world’s leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news, and information to a global audience. NBC Bay Area – KNTV is the NBC owned television station serving San Francisco/Oakland/San Jose and ten Bay Area counties.

Job Purpose:

The Morning News Executive Producer is a leadership position overseeing the editorial, production and promotion components of the morning newscast. The Executive Producer’s role is to oversee production of news content on multi-platforms, provide guidance and direction to news employees and perform as a member of the news management team.

Responsibilities Include:

* Conceive and execute daily programs incorporating top news stories and live reports (hard and feature)
* Direct and deliver production elements on a deadline. Manage and supervise On-Air Talent, Content Producers and Production team.
* Review daily line-up of stories and segments; develop future segments, stories and interviews for all platforms
* Collaborate with Creative Services Department on daily topical promotions
* Cooperate and interact with NBC News and assure compliance with all relevant laws and company policy on broadcasts and news operations

Basic Qualifications:

* Minimum of five years’ experience as a television Executive Producer in a medium or large market
* Bachelor’s Degree

Interested Candidates may apply by clicking here:

Assistant News Director/Content Manager, KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA:

Are you an aggressive, seasoned producer with an unending passion for news, ready to be #2 in the newsroom?

KTIV, the #1 Station in Sioux City seeks a career-minded journalist with strong leadership skills to join our winning team as Assistant News Director/Content Manager. You will drive News4’s editorial process, constantly guiding our multi-media journalists and producers to develop news content on all platforms; managing a continuous flow of information to website, mobile devices, social networking sites and local news broadcasts.

We are looking for a proactive person who shines at showcasing our content, whether it’s a special project or daily breaking news. You must have excellent writing skills and news judgement in producing our top newscast. You will also work closely with the News Director and Internet Director to ensure comprehensive coverage on all platforms.

This is a senior newsroom position, perfect for the aspiring news director. The successful candidate will have a four-year degree, preferably in broadcast news/journalism or related field and significant producing, writing and newsgathering experience in a commercial newsroom.

KTIV is an Emmy award winning team that works hard and is committed to excellence.

Send resume, news philosophy, cover letter and references to:

Bridget Breen
Station Manager
2929 Signal Hill Drive
Sioux City, IA 51108

Email:  bbreen@ktiv.com

EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (relisted this week, see ad above!)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
New England Cable News, Boston, MA (Dayside EP, listed 9/20/15)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted 10/25/15)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Investigative EP, listing modified this week)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, listed 9/20/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
KTNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (AM EP, new listing this week)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (Nightside EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, relisted 8/22/15)
KKTV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 8/22/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 10/4/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 8/28/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (relisted 9/13/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (listed 10/11/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 10/18/15)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/20/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 10/18/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (listed 10/25/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 10/18/15)

Obituaries:

Hauff

TOM HAUFF, who worked as a news director in Orlando, Tampa, Milwaukee, and Tampa, died Thursday after a battle with esophageal cancer. Tom also worked in Detroit and spent seven years working for Medstar. He worked with old friend JOE ROVITTO at WISN-TV in Milwaukee, who kindly alerted me to Tom’s passing and sent along these thoughts about his friend. Joe also advises there was no funeral but will be a memorial service at a later date.

One time Nashville anchor and news director DAVE DAUGHTRY died Tuesday at the age of 76. He’d been working in radio in Mobile for the past 14 years, and had earlier anchored at two Mobile stations. In addition to Nashville, where he was ND and anchor at WSM-TV, he’d also worked in Washington and Memphis. Much more information in this obituary.

BRUCE FLAHERTY, who spent most of his career working in New York state, died Wednesday. He was 94. A former news director and anchor for WETM-TV in Elmira, Bruce spent 31 years there. He also worked in Erie, PA. You can learn more about Bruce and his career by clicking here.

Names in the News…and other things:

The murders of two journalists at WDBJ-TV in Roanoke in August were detailed in two separate, interesting, and lengthy stories this week. You may have already seen CNN’s effort (if not, click here) which has been linked to by other publications. You may not have seen an equally interesting one by the South Bend Tribune. (Editor’s note: The South Bend Tribune is owned by Schurz which owns WDBJ).

Three news management hires at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia: CESAR ALDAMA has joined this NBC o-and-o as news operations manager. He’s spent the last four years as Senior Director of News for Comcast Sports Mid-Atlantic (also owned by NBC). He’s a former ND in Miami and an Assistant ND for another station in Philadelphia. And RICHARD WASHINGTON III and NAOMI MORALES have been hired as EPs here.

Charlier

STEVE CHARLIER, a former ND in Sacramento and Salt Lake City, and a VP/News for Tribune and LocalTV, has been named President of Zazoom Media Group. What’s that, you ask? The answers in this news release.

Omaha’s KETV has moved into a new building…a former train station! Our friends at Devlin Design Group built the set for that unusual building. Read about it here, and you can see pictures here.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

General Manager News:

One time news director and long time general manager STUART KELLOGG is retiring at the end of the year. He’s been the GM for Hearst’s WAPT-TV in Jackson, MS, since 1991. He’s a former news director in Dallas, Oklahoma City, and Mobile, where he also anchored for another station. Stuart also worked in New Orleans and as a reporter and weatherman in Syracuse, where he graduated from Syracuse University. More in this article from the station’s website.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, November 1, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *’
KINC-TV 500 Pilot RoadSuite D Las Vegas NV 89119 *
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014 (see ad above!)
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York PA 17403
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston SC 29414
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108 (see ad above!)
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Road Ghent WV 25843
KALB-TV 605 Washington St. Alexandria LA 71301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601

* Spanish language station

October 25, 2015

Greetings:

Welcome to a somewhat cranky (well, at least the author is cranky, and it has nothing to do with the Colts’ miserable showing today) edition of your weekly newsletter.

We have FOUR stations with new (well, most of them are new) news directors. But I can only tell you THREE of their names. (That may be why I’m cranky.)  (Monday morning update…we now have the missing name…it’s below)

The number of open ND jobs, by our unofficial count, stands at 26.

ONE of those open ND jobs is featured in a paid help wanted ad below.

We have some interesting items in Names in the News, including details on new jobs (two of them in newsrooms) for people who left ND positions this year. And a link to a “Where Are They Now” item from a station about its former anchor turned ND turned GM.

We’ll also tell you about a new GM in Charlotte.

Read on for details!

New News Director Openings:

None that I know of.  If there’s something I missed, please let me know!

Newly Named News Directors:

Hughes

KFOR-TV, Oklahoma City, OK…congratulations to NATALIE HUGHES who’s been promoted to news director for this Tribune owned NBC affiliate. She’s been the EP here and the acting ND since CARLTON HOUSTON left to become the Assistant ND for WUSA-TV in Washington. According to a memo from KFOR’s GM, she has twenty years of experience, most of it at KFOR. There’s little other information available about her background online.

Lutz

KTMF/KWYB-TV, Missoula, MT…ANDREA LUTZ returns to Missoula as the ND for this ABC/FOX operation owned by Cowles Communications. She’s been working as a reporter for KTVB-TV in Boise but formerly worked for another station in Missoula. Andrea replaces the late KALEE SCOLATTI. You’ll remember that Kalee and a friend were murdered last May by Kalee’s estranged husband. This article talks about the challenges Andrea faces in a newsroom still grieving the loss of its leader, and this story reports on a fundraiser held Friday night for the children of Kalee and her friend.

WTAP-TV, Parkersburg, WV…thanks to an alert reader who tipped us to an ND change that we missed here. PHILLIP HICKMAN, a 14 year veteran of this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate, was promoted to news director here in January. He’s held a variety of jobs at the station. Philip replaces JOHN FORTNEY who left to become the Press Secretary for the Ohio Senate Majority Caucus. He once anchored and reported in Columbus.

And apparently there is a new news director at WGXA-TV (ABC/FOX) in Macon, GA, but it appears to be a closely held secret. I was told by an executive at station owner Sinclair Broadcasting that the job had been filled, but no name was provided. No response yet to a late Sunday night email to several other Sinclair managers. And when I called the newsroom, the person who answered the phone demanded my name, which I provided. Then he asked who I was with..and I told him. Then he insisted that I tell him why I wanted to know…and I told him. He then told me to send an email to the station, so I hung up.  (Monday update:  Thanks to a Sinclair news manager who tells me that JENNA HUFF is the new ND for WGXA-TV.  She’d been the ND for WFXL-TV in Albany, GA).

Seemed like a lot of hoops to jump through for the answer to a pretty simple question.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WCSC-TV, Charleston, SC:

WCSC-TV, Raycom’s dominant News Leader/CBS in beautiful Charleston, South Carolina, is seeking an experienced and dynamic leader to oversee our award winning news department.

The ideal candidate will bring an established record of recruiting, developing, and retaining a diverse newsroom. The News Director will have an unrelenting drive to win breaking news while aggressively using research and strategic actions to drive content and coverage that’s most important to our audience. We are looking for a hands-on team leader with the ability to institute and manage cultural growth across departments.

Job responsibilities include managing daily news content across multiple successful platforms, constant recruiting, coaching and leadership of news staff, budget administration and strategic planning in collaboration with the General Manager and Marketing Director. Five years of previous experience in newsroom leadership is required, as well as strong communication and organizational skills.

This is a great opportunity for an experienced manager to come live in coastal Charleston, South Carolina, named Best City in the United States.

Candidates must include examples of how he/she has grown products and platforms in current position. Qualified applicants, please click here to apply online and attach your cover letter and resume.

No phone calls please. EOE-M/F/D/V

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 10/18/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 8/22/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KPIX-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 10/18/15)
New England Cable News, Boston, MA (Dayside EP, listed 9/20/15)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Nightside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (relisted this week)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (Morning EP, listed 8/22/15)
WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC (listed 10/4/15)
XETV, San Diego, CA (Supervising Producer Mornings, listed 9/20/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 10/18/15)
KSNV-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/27/15)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (Nightside EP, relisted 10/11/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 10/11/15)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (AM EP, relisted 8/22/15)
KKTV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 8/22/15)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 10/4/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 8/28/15)
WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA (relisted 9/13/15)
WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI (listed 10/11/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 10/18/15)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 9/20/15)
WLBT-TV, Jackson, MS (listed 10/18/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (new listing this week
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 10/18/15

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Murrieta

RUDY MURRIETA returns to a newsroom as the Assistant ND for WGCL-TV, Meredith’s CBS affiliate in Atlanta. Rudy had been the ND at Central Florida News 13 for the past four years, leaving in February. He spent eleven years there, and has also worked in San Diego, Phoenix, for another station in Orlando, Las Vegas (two stations), and Ft. Myers. His Linkedin page tells us that he’s been the Director of Media Relations at Barry University in Orlando for the past few months. Here’s the memo from WGCL News Director LARRY PERRET.

Macias-Cervantes

Another former ND, LAUREN MACIAS-CERVANTES, also has a new job. Lauren left KTSM-TV in El Paso earlier this year after four yeas as ND. She’s now the communications manager for media outreach at UTEP’s University Communications.

Day

And still another former ND is headed back to work. DEANA DAY updated us on her new job. She is returning to the Fayetteville-Ft. Smith, AR, market, as EP for KHBS/KHOG-TV. Earlier in her career, she worked on-air for KNWA-TV in Fayetteville. She left her job as ND for KTIV-TV in Sioux City, IA, last month after less than a year. She’s also worked in Meridian, MS, and El Paso, TX.

Readers of a certain age will remember MASON GRANGER, who rose from anchor and reporter at WMC-TV in Memphis to news director and later GM there. He also served as GM for WDSU-TV in New Orleans during Hurricane Katrina. WMC features Mason in an online “Where Are They Now?” item.

General Manager News:

SCOTT DEMPSEY returns to Charlotte as the GM for Raycom Media’s WBTV. He’s been the GM for Raycom’s WTOC-TV in Savannah since May, 2014, and spent three years before that as Sales Manager there. But he has a background in Charlotte as you’ll learn (along with the rest of his background) in this memo from Raycom’s JEFF ROSSER.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, October 25, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KING-TV 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle WA 98109
Northwest Cable News, 333 Dexter Avenue N. Seattle, WA 98109
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Drive Las Vegas NV 89014
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk, VA 23510
WPMT-TV 2005 South Queen Street York PA 17403
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Ave., Greensboro, NC 27405
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre PA 16701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd. Charleston, WV 25301
KTAL/KMSS-TV 3150 N. Market Shreveport LA 71107
WSYR-TV 5904 Bridge St. East Syracuse, NY 13057
KVEO-TV 394 North Expressway Brownsville TX 78521
WBRZ-TV 1650 Highland Rd. Baton Rouge LA 70802
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston SC 29414 (see ad above!)
KHBS/KHOG-TV 2415 North Albert Pike, Fort Smith, AR 72904
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403
KTIV-TV 3135 Floyd Blvd. Sioux City, IA 51108
WVNS-TV 141 Old Cline Road Ghent WV 25843
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59108
WBBJ-TV 346 Muse Street, Jackson, TN 38301
KALB-TV 605 Washington St. Alexandria LA 71301
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601

* Spanish language station