August 15, 2021
Friday, August 20, 2021 UPDATE:
Greetings:
FOUR top 50 market GM jobs were filled Thursday, and THREE of the four were filled by either current or former news directors. And we have a MOST unusual story from Nashville.

Lyons
We’ll start in Chicago (market #3) where longtime former WGN-TV (and short time News Nation executive) JENNIFER LYONS was named GM for the CBS o-and-o there, WBBM-TV. The news came just a few days after the station won the National Edward R. Murrow Award for overall excellence. More from longtime Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER.
Jennifer replaces DEREK DALTON who left the station last month along with JAY HOWELL, the GM at KCBS-TV in Los Angeles.
CBS has now filled two of its GM openings with former news directors, the other being JOHNNY GREEN Jr. who took over at flagship WCBS-TV in New York. Still to be filled: o-and-o’s in Los Angeles, Dallas, and Denver. Expect at least one newsperson to get one of those jobs.

Ellis
On to Detroit, where BOB ELLIS will be the next GM for Graham Media’s WDIV-TV (NBC). It’s a return to WDIV and Detroit for Bob, who spent 15 years there, including 18 months as ND. Bob left in 2009 when he was promoted to GM of sister station WJXT-TV in Jacksonville. FL. Details here. He replaces MARLA DRUTZ who announced her retirement earlier this year.
And Gray Television didn’t want to be left out of all the fun, promoting TWO new GMs and ONE news director (to fill the void left by one of the GM promotions).

Corrente
RONNA CORRENTE returns to her native Kentucky as the next GM for Gray’s Louisville station, WAVE-TV (NBC). She’s been the GM for WVUE-TV (FOX) in New Orleans but began her career in sales at WDKY-TV in Lexington, KY. She replaces KEN SELVAGGI.

Schaefer
Gray wasted no time filling her job in New Orleans, promoting longtime news director MIKEL SCHAEFER. He’s been the ND at WVUE since 2008 and previously worked at WWL-TV (CBS) in NOLA.

Palestina
But you can put your resume away…he’s being replaced as news director by the assistant ND at WVUE, KRISTEN PALESTINA. She’s a 12 year veteran of the station, and spent two years before that at WWL.
All the Gray changes are detailed in this news release.
Finally, our nominee for bizarro story of the week comes from Nashville, where a former massage therapist…facing charges of sex crimes against women…now faces additional charges of identity theft and criminal impersonation.
Of a news director.
Specifically, former WSMV-TV (Meredith/NBC) ND MITCH JACOB.
Read the station’s story here.
We’ll have lots more in this week’s full newsletter later this weekend.
regards,
Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Perhaps a reflection of the summer doldrums, but a relative slow week of news management changes. Just TWO new NDs to share, with ONE new opening. Our list of open ND jobs stands at 36.
TWO of those 36 jobs are featured in our FOUR paid help wanted ads. There are also ads for TWO EP openings in Charlotte and for an Assistant ND job at a powerhouse small market station.
Also pleased when there are no obituaries, as is the case this week.
We now have the second and third Presidents of the CBS o-and-o group. And we’ll tell you about a former ND who’s becoming a GM, and you’ll also learn about a new GM in Norfolk.
In Kentucky, a former anchor/reporter at one station returns to another as its new Assistant ND, and a new Phoenix ND talks to the newspaper about his plans.
Read on for details!
Newly Named News Directors:

Gegg
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY…CHRIS GEGG moves within Tegna as he’ll be the next news director for this ABC affiliate. He’s been the ND for Tegna’s WVEC-TV (also ABC) for the last 18 months, but this move gets him closer to family in Missouri. Chris is a former ND in Albany, NY, Milwaukee and Madison, WI and has worked in Detroit, Tampa, Nashville, Toledo, and Midland, TX. At WHAS, he replaces JULIE WOLFE who was transferred to Tegna’s KING-TV in Seattle.

BonFleur
WDTV, Bridgeport, WV…congratulations to BRENT BONFLEUR who moves within Gray for his first ND job at this CBS affiliate. Details here from the station’s website. Brent is currently the Assistant ND at KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, where he began as the weekend producer and worked his way up. He replaces MICHAEL BALDWIN who moved to Gray’s WTVG-TV in Toledo as Assistant ND.
New News Director Opening:

Calderon
KUAN-TV, San Diego, CA…PEDRO CALDERON has resigned as news director for this Telemundo owned news operation which shares facilities with parent company NBC’s owned station, KNSD-TV. Pedro came to San Diego to launch the station in 2017. More details about his past…and future…in this story from Media Moves. He’s a former ND in Denver and Sacramento.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA:
This is the market where it all started…
Join the largest TV ownership group in the country in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Market #58) as NEWS DIRECTOR.
A lot has changed since the early days of Nexstar Media Group 25 years ago. We now own 199 stations in 116 markets… But our commitment to the original market – now with WBRE/NBC and WYOU/CBS – and the original mission – serving our communities with LOCAL NEWS – is stronger than ever.
The perfect candidate for this perfect opportunity is collaborative, creative and competitive. We are looking for someone dynamic and innovative, with a proven track record of success on broadcast and digital platforms. We are ready to move you so you can move us.
This could be where it all starts for you, too. Imagine where Nexstar could take you.
News Director, WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH:
Cox Media Group in Dayton, OH is seeking a strategic, team-oriented, and passionate journalist to lead the powerhouse WHIO TV team as our News Director.
WHIO TV is the Dayton region’s number one station for news and the number one CBS affiliate in the nation in household shares. The News Center 7 newsroom is a respected organization driven by aggressive, investigative storytelling, cutting edge producing, and the region’s best severe weather team.
This is a rare opportunity for a leader who possesses a passion for local news along with the highest standards for producing unbiased and impactful reporting for our audience. The WHIO philosophy is built on a foundation of breaking news and investigative journalism that is dedicated to pursing the facts and holds that the truth is the ultimate, unwavering guide.
Our ideal candidate will be a hands-on servant leader, with a vision and mission to serve the needs of our viewers while fueling the passion and professional development of our news team.
The CMG culture is based on the idea that we compete with our products, but we win with our people.
If you are ready to help our team to their best work for the Dayton region, click on the link below and apply today.
We want innovative, agile and savvy risk-takers with entrepreneurial minds and diverse points of view on our team. If this description fits, we’d love to have you join CMG.
Executive Producers, Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC:
Are you ready to make a change in your career and join a news organization that values true storytelling and quality content? Ready to showcase your management skills in a fantastic, fast-growing market?
Spectrum News currently has two Executive Producer openings in our Charlotte Newsroom and we’re hiring immediately.
Click the link for specifics—but we want Journalists who believe in what we are all about. We are looking for someone with 5+ years of management experience who excels at leading and coaching a multi-generational workforce.
We’re innovative. We’re growing. We’re different. If you haven’t yet considered Spectrum Networks for your next job—now is the time! Questions? Email Mike.bothwell@charter.com
Assistant News Director, KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR:
KAIT, Gray Television’s dominant #1 station in Jonesboro, Arkansas is looking for its next Assistant News Director.
This person will work side by side with our news director to run the day-to-day newsroom across all platforms. The best candidate will demonstrate how they build a team as well as the ability to train reporters and producers.
Jonesboro is the regional hub, seeing yearly double-digit growth. Jonesboro is also home to Arkansas State University and a short drive to mountains, lakes, and rivers.
Gray Television supports local community interests by providing quality television broadcasting and exceptional service in each market we serve. Gray owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties over 100 television markets including the first or second highest rated television station in 86 markets.
We are an unmatched broadcast pioneer that keeps getting bigger and better.
If you are looking for that first leadership role or an experienced leader, apply today.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA (listed 8/8/21)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/4/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (listed 7/4/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (listed 6/18/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/4/21)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (relisted 7/25/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)
KAIT-TV, Jonesboro, AR (listed 8/8/21, see ad above!)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted 7/25/21)
Spectrum News, Charlotte, NC (2 openings, listed 8/8/21, see ad above!)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 8/1/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (relisted this week)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 7/25/21)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro-High Point, NC (AM EP, relisted 8/1/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/4/21)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (relisted 8/8/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 7/4/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 7/4/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 7/18/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)
More News Management Openings:
New listing this week:
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 8/1/21:
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 7/11/21:
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (Senior Manager of Investigative)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Real Time Desk Manager)
Relisted 6/27/21:
Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content
Listed 6/20/21:
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)
Names in the News:

Combs
MIRANDA COMBS returns to television as she’ll be the first assistant news director for start-up WDKY-TV (FOX) in Lexington, KY. She’s spent the last year+ working for the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office, but before that she spent more than 13 years (in two stints) for cross-town CBS affiliate WKYT-TV. The details are in this story.

Jacob
Newly-returned-to-Phoenix news director MITCH JACOB talked with The Arizona Republic for his plans at his new station, KNXV-TV (Scripps/ABC). Earlier in his career, Mitch was the ND for KPHO-TV in Phoenix. He’s also been a news director in Washington, DC, Columbus, OH, Wichita, Toledo and Harlingen, TX.
General Manager News and Notes:
More changes at the CBS owned station division. JENNIFER MITCHELL and TOM CANEDO become the second and third Presidents of the o-and-o’s. They join ADRIENNE ROARK in that role. This story from Deadline.com explains their backgrounds and responsibilities.

LaVelle
We like to celebrate the ascension of news people to the GM’s job, so it’s our pleasure to share that RHONDA LaVELLE is the latest to make that move. She’ll be the next GM for Hubbard KAAL-TV (ABC) in Rochester, MN. She most recently was ND for WXYZ-TV in Detroit, leaving in January after five years. She also spent two years as ND for KPRC-TV in Houston. And Rhonda held a number of jobs during 15 years at WDIV-TV in Detroit and she also produced in Saginaw.

Chase
ADAM CHASE is the new GM for Scripps’ WTKR-TV (CBS) in Norfolk, VA. He’s currently the GM for sister-Scripps station KXXV-TV in Waco, TX, and earlier had run KERO-TV, the Scripps station in Bakersfield, CA.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, August 15, 2021:
It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com
WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
KUAN-TV 9680 Granite Ridge Drive San Diego, CA 92123
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin, Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701 (see ad above!)
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza. Buffalo, NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria, Tulsa, OK 74105
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main Street , Dayton , OH 45409 (see ad above!)
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25301
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac, MI 49601
KATC-TV 1808 Eraste Landry Road. Lafayette, LA 70506
KION-TV 1550 Moffett Street Salinas, CA 93905
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
WJET-TV 8455 Peach St, Erie, PA 16509
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KREX-TV 345 Hillcrest Drive Grand Junction, CO 81501
**: Spanish language station