Rick Gevers & Associates

December 5, 2022

Greetings:

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

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

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

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

Read on and have a great week!

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

Shull

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

Korff

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

Gina

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

Adelson

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

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

Birge

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

Whitaker

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

Miles

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

Krebs

November 28, 2022

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

Whitaker

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

Shull

November 27, 2022:

Chip Tayag – Jason Myers

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

Johnson

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

Weesner

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

Adelson

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

Smith

November 21, 2022

Greetings:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Newly Named News Directors:

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

Kearney

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

Killian

New News Director Openings:

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

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

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 11/13/22:

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

Relisted 10/2/22:

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

Names in the News (and other things):

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

General Manager News and Notes:

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

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 20, 2022:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

November 13, 2022

Monday, November 14, 2022 UPDATE:

Greetings:

They are putting the band back together in Houston (dating myself with a line from the 1980 Blues Brothers movie.)

That’s where BERNICE KEARNEY was named news director for Graham Media’s KPRC-TV (NBC). Bernice is a 29 year veteran of Graham’s KSAT-TV (ABC) in San Antonio, the last nine as ND. PHIL LANE, the new GM at KPRC, spent eleven years as the GM for KSAT, meaning he most likely promoted Bernice to the ND job there. Bernice’s Linkedin page has more on her background.

She replaces DAVE STRICKLAND who left the station in October, just a few weeks after Lane arrived as GM. Dave spent five years as ND for KPRC and ran the news department at KTRK-TV, the ABC o-and-o in Houston, for 15 years. He was  also a news director in Norfolk.

We’ll be back Sunday…hopefully closer to our normal time….with our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Apologies for our late post this week…we’ll blame travel for the delay. I’ve extended your subscription by another week to compensate for the inconvenience. 🙂

And that delay meant you learned a few hours later than normal of the TWO new ND openings this week (ONE in a top five market), and had to deal with having to wait to learn that NO ND jobs were filled.

So we now have 23 jobs on our list of open ND positions, with TWO of those openings featured in Paid Help Wanted ads.

We do have TWO GM moves to report, with both new GM receiving promotions within their current companies.

And just ONE item in Names in the News…about an Iowa station denied access to the Republican election night party.

I hope to be on time next week!

Newly Named News Directors:

To my knowledge, no news directors were hired this week. As always, if you know of one I missed, please let me know!

New News Director Openings:

WPHL-TV, Philadelphia, PA…this Nexstar owned MyNet affiliate is looking for a new ND to replace MATT TOAL. He’s taking a job out of television after 5 1/2 years here, the last 1 1/2 years as ND. Matt’s complete work history is on his linkedin page. WPHL airs a four hour morning newscast and a 10:00 PM broadcast produced by ABC o-and-o WPVI-TV.

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA…MARGARET ASHBURN is stepping down as news director for this Graham Media NBC affiliate at the end of the year. Margaret will join Virginia Tech in media relations. She’s been the ND here for two years, was the assistant ND for two years before that, and earlier had worked in Atlanta, Greensboro, and Augusta, GA.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Director, The Kneeland Project:

The Kneeland Project is on the search for a new executive director to lead the nonprofit organization that provides continuing education and leadership training to television news managers.

The organization’s longtime executive director, STACY BAUM, is stepping down to focus on her position at Catholic Charities of Denver as the vice president of marketing and community outreach. Stacy remains onboard while the organization conducts a nationwide search for a successor to lead the nonprofit as it prepares to mark its 25th anniversary in 2023.

During the organization’s tenure, the world-class faculty has trained more than 700 current and aspiring news directors and boasts a stellar board of directors and alumni group.

To learn more and apply for the position, click here.

News Director, WISC-TV, Madison, WI:

News 3 Now/WISC-TV has a rare opening for a News Director to lead our team at the family-owned flagship of Morgan Murphy Media in one of America’s best cities. One of the best places to raise a family. One of the best college sports towns. One of the best places to live, period.

Meet Madison.

There have been five news directors at News 3 Now in the past 42 years, so this opportunity doesn’t come along very often. As such it’s critical we find the right executive who can lead this talented and award-winning newsroom comprised of industry veterans, new industry entrants and the professionals in-between.

News 3 Now has a legacy of excellence. We produce 40 hours of television news a week and embrace coverage through our apps, social, award-winning web site and streaming video channels – that all combine to lead the market in total audience.

We are committed to quality journalism. We’ve been honored to win six national Edward R. Murrow awards from the RTDNA in the past five years, including the top prize for overall excellence in 2016 and 2021. We are also leaders in the community with impactful events as well as a legacy of responsiveness to market and societal conditions.

The right candidate will know how to further develop the talents of our team, use all of our station resources and synthesize them to build on our positive momentum and make News 3 Now the dominant news and information source in the Midwest.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 11/6/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 10/23/22)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/30/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 9/25/22)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 10/23/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 11/13/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 10/23/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 10/30/22)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (relisted 10/30/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Digital EP, relisted 10/23/22)
WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX (EP Investigations, listed 10/9/22)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/9/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
WTSP-TV, Tampa, FL (2 openings, PM EP & MSJ EP, revised 10/30/22)
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (relisted 10/30/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (Digital EP, listed 10/16/22)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 10/9/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, relisted 9/18/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, relisted 9/11/22)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed corrected 9/25/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 9/18/22)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (relisted 11/6/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 10/30/22)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 10/30/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (2 jobs, Spec. Proj. & EP, modified 10/9/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 9/25/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 10/30/22)
KTNV, Las Vegas, NV (relised 10/30/22)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 11/13/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, relisted 10/30/22)
WIVB/WNLO-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 11/6/22)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (relisted 10/30/22)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 9/25/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, relisted 9/25/22)
KREM-TV, Spokane WA (listed 10/9/22)
KMTV, Omaha, NE (relisted 9/18/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing revised 9/18/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 10/2/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (listing revised 9/18/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 9/18/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 10/30/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 10/23/22)

MANAGING EDITOR:

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

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 11/13/22:

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

Relisted 10/2/22:

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

Listed 9/18/22:

WPTV, West Palm, Beach, FL (Senior Manager of Investigative Content)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Assignment Desk Manager)

Listed 9/12/22:

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 9/5/22:

AccuWeather, State College, PA (Sr. Producer, Live Broadcast)
WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN (Director of Digital Content)

Names in the News:

The Iowa Republican Party banned Cedar Rapids’ KCRG-TV (Gray TV/ABC) from covering its election night party in Des Moines. The station reported on the ban here, pointing out that it came after KCRG gave two Republican ads an “F” grade in a Fact Check segment. Longtime Iowa news director DAVE BUSIEK suggests it may not be the last time a station is banned. Here’s his column from Dave Busiek on Media. You’ll remember we told you last week Dave was launching his new column.

General Manager News and Notes:

Gray Television named a new general manager this week, tabbing JAIME SYRA KAWAJA to run its West Palm Beach, FL operation, WFLX-TV (FOX). Jaime will also be the General Sales Manager there. She’s a 25 year veteran of Gray’s WKYT-TV (CBS) in Lexington, KY, beginning as an intern and working her way up to general sales manager, a position she’s held since 2018. More details about Jaime’s background in this news release.

The only other general manager move this week comes from Wichita, KS. That’s where Sinclair Broadcasting appointed CAMIE NICHOLAS to be Vice President and General Manager for KSAS-TV (FOX/MyTV). Camie has been the general sales manager there since joining the station in 2017. She’s held a variety of jobs in Wichita media, about which you can learn by checking out this news release.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 13, 2022:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WPHL-TV 5001 Wynnefield Ave Philadelphia PA19131
KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway, Houston, TX 77074 (see ad above!)
KTXL-TV, 4655 Fruitridge Rd, Sacramento, CA 95820
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North Wichita, KS 67219
WSLS-TV 821 5th St. NE Roanoke, VA 24016
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719 (see ad above!)
WEHT/WTVW-TV, 800 Marywood Dr., Henderson, KY 42420
WKBT-TV 141 South 6th Street La Crosse, WI 54601
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
KTIV-TV 2929 Signal Hill Drive. Sioux City, IA 51108
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KTVZ-TV 62990 O.B. Riley Rd. Bend OR 97703
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KIEM/KVIQ-TV 5650 South Broadway, Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station