Rick’s Weekly Newsletter | Rick Gevers & Associates

April 7, 2024

Greetings:

Not a lot of news director changes this week, but read on for other items of note.

Just ONE new ND named, and we’ve added TWO stations to our list of open ND jobs, bringing that list to 35 stations. ONE of those openings is featured in one of our THREE Paid Help Wanted ads.

In a most unusual development, CBS has hired Gray Television’s in house consulting and research group to provide those services to its 14 owned stations. We have more below.

And, sadly for me, we have obituaries for TWO former news directors (among other accomplishments) who were friends of mine, DOW SMITH and DAN SPAULDING.

Newly Named News Directors:

Hissong

WAND-TV, Decatur, IL…ROD HISSONG joins this Block Communications owned NBC affiliate. He’s been working for sister Block station WDRB-TV (FOX) in Louisville for the last 4+ years, earlier worked as a reporter in Cincinnati, as an anchor in Ft. Wayne, and for News 12 in New York. At WAND, he replaces JACKLYNN SYLVESTER who left earlier this year to become the Assistant ND for Tegna’s WBNS-TV in Columbus.

SciLine has a wide variety of scientific experts ready to help with your news stories over the next few weeks.

SciLine Briefing:

Climate change and agriculture: air, water, and soil

Tuesday, April 9 (2-3 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

SciLine’s next media briefing will cover the myriad ways agricultural production is—and may soon be affected further—by climate-driven shifts in air quality, including changing carbon dioxide and ozone levels; water quality and quantity; and soil health. Three scientists will make brief presentations and then take questions on the record. SciLine Director Rick Weiss will moderate.

Panelists:

Dr. Courtney Leisner, Virginia Tech
Dr. Mallika Nocco, University of Wisconsin Madison
Dr. Michelle Wander, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

More from SciLine:

Virtual Open House:

Apr. 11 (1-1:30 p.m. EDT): Join us to learn more about the free services we offer to local reporters

Interview an expert (15 minute-slots):

Apr. 12 (1-3 p.m. EDT): Syphilis on the rise (Dr. Ina Park, UCSF)
Apr. 16 (3-5 p.m. EDT): Wildlife crossings (Dr. Nicki Frey, Southern Utah U.)
Apr. 29 (1-3 p.m. EDT): PFAS in water supplies (Dr. Jessica Ray, U. of Washington)
May 15 (1-3 p.m. EDT): Rooftop solar incentives (Dr. Severin Borenstein, UC Berkeley)
May 23 (2-4 p.m. EDT): Wild pigs (Dr. John “Jack” Mayer, Savannah River National Laboratory)

Upcoming training:

Apr. 23 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Science essentials for news directors

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

New News Director Openings:

WRC-TV, Washington, DC…a modification here…the station has changed the listing here from an Assistant ND role. That’s the title MATT GLASSMAN held before moving to NBC News as VP of Regional Editorial for NBC News. Matt just wrapped up his time at WRC this week: here’s the story from the station’s website.

One other bit of housekeeping. We’ve added KFSM-TV in Ft. Smith-Fayetteville to our list of open stations…we should have done that when MORGAN SCHAAB transferred to sister Tegna station KSDK-TV in St. Louis as Director of Content earlier this year.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KXNews, Bismarck, ND:

Calling all news managers looking to grow their skillset in a city with plenty of outdoor adventures. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has a News Director opening at KX News in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Our market covers half the state of North Dakota. KX News has studios in Bismarck and Minot.

The right candidate will be a strong mentor who understands the importance of local enterprise stories. We’re searching for a decisive decision maker with a track record of leading newsroom teams.

Learn more here!

Senior Director, CNN NewsSource, Sales and Affiliate Relations:

CNN NEWSOURCE SEEKS A SALES AND AFFILIATE RELATIONS SENIOR DIRECTOR.

Our new team member will focus on helping our local news affiliates tell their stories, leading new business generation and account service. Every great story hW

Check out the details here!

Senior Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

The WINK Senior Executive Producer will oversee the development and training of producers and Executive Producers at Southwest Florida’s leading news operation.

WINK is looking for a leader capable of teaching and mentoring producers, as well as developing Executive Producers on our dayside team. Passion is important for this role, but more important is a sense of purpose.

The top candidate will be someone who demonstrates the ability to lead and teach. Creativity, strong news judgment, superb writing skills and excellent showcasing and production skills are a must.

The Sr. EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product, which includes Executive Producers, Producers and Associate Producers.

Integrating social media into the newscasts is an emerging growth area in which the Sr. EP must embrace and lead by example. The Sr. EP must be able to step in and actually produce a newscast. The Sr. EP is the chief advocate for the practical execution of research strategies designed to meet audience expectations. This senior leadership position will help lead a team of experienced journalists that produce more than 70 hours of local news a week.

Click here to learn more and apply.

Southwest Florida is often praised as being one of the healthiest and happiest places in the world with miles of white-sand beaches and a dynamic community. Broadcast Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer and we are a drug-free and smoke-free environment.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 4/7/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/4/24)
KOVR/KMAX-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 2/11/24)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 2/25/24)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (relisted 3/24/24)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (listed 2/11/24)
KWEX-TV, Midland, TX (listed 4/7/24)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 1/7/24)
WFMZ-TV, Allentown, PA (Philadelphia market, listed 4/7/24)
WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (PM EP, relisted 1/14/24)
The Hill, Washington, DC (Rising Program, listed 1/21/24)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 3/15/24)
WDCA-TV, Washington, DC (listed 3/15/24)
KAZT-TV, Phoenix, AZ, (2 openings, EP & Digital EP. listed 4/7/24)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 3/15/24)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 3/3/24)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 2/24/24)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 3/15/24)
KCRA-TV, Sacramento, CA (listed 4/7/24)
KATU-TV, Portland, OR (2 openings, AM and Digital, modified 2/4/24)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 2/25/24)
KSWB/KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 3/15/24)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, relisted 3/15/24)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 3/15/24)
WTNH-TV, Hartford, CT (listed 3/3/24)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 4/7/24)
WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA (listed 4/7/24)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 2/25/24)
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, (relisted 3/15/24)
WXII-TV, Winston-Salem, NC (Weekend EP, listing revised 4/7/24)
WLKY-TV, Louisville, KY (PM EP, listed 4/7/24)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 3/15/24)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Senior EP, listed 3/10/24, see ad above!)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (relisted 4/7/24)
KETV, Omaha, NE (listed 2/4/24)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (Digital EP, listed 2/18/24)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 2/25/24)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/3/24)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (Digital EP, listed 2/25/24)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 2/4/24)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital EP, relisted 2/18/24)
WKBT-TV, LaCrosse/Eau Claire, WI (listed 4/7/24)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/24)
WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL (News Manager, listed 4/7/24)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 3/17/24)
WJYZ-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 3/17/24)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/17/24:

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA (Director of Special Projects)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (Digital Director)

Relisted 3/17/24:

WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (Director of Digital Content)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Director of Digital Content)

Listed 3/10/24:

KXXV/KRHD-TV. Waco/Bryan, TX

Listed 3/3/24:

WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH (News Operations Manager)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituary:

Smith

News Director turned General Manager turned educator DOW SMITH died Tuesday, April 2nd, after a short battle with ALS. Dow was 83. He was a news director in Miami, Detroit, and Washington, DC, a GM in Albany, NY, and Birmingham, AL, and went on to teach at Syracuse and several other universities. He also worked in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Columbia, MO, where he received a Masters’ from the University of Missouri.

Spaulding

Another ND and educator turned PR executive passed away early this morning. DAN SPAULDING was 79 and died of complications from Alzheimer’s. He anchored in several markets, taught at Wisconsin-Green Bay and at Missouri (along with his wife TRISHA) where Dan was ND at KOMU-TV. He later was ND at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, MI before turning to PR. His bio from the PR firm has more. But Dan may have been proudest of his job as the “Voice” of the Michigan Marching Band. Trisha shared this very poignant note about that, which speaks to the ravages of Alzheimer’s.

We’ll have details on a Celebration of Life when they are finalized.

Names in the News (and other stuff):

In what seems like a first of its kind arrangement, CBS has hired Gray Television’s in house research and consulting staff to provide services to its 14 owned stations. There are no market conflicts. More details here. Not included in the news release are two new hires to that in-house team, including JENELLE SHRINER, a former Gray ND in Lake Charles, Tucson, and Louisville.

General Manager News and Notes:

SHUNECA HARRINGTON returns to Sinclair as GM for WRLH-TV, the company’s FOX affiliate in Richmond, VA. She began her career as an account executive at Sinclair’s WLFL-TV in Raleigh. Most recently, she’s been Director of Sales for WRAL-TV in Raleigh.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, April 7, 2024:

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

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn, 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx, NY 10473
WFLD-TV 205 N. Michigan Ave. Chicago, IL 60601
KXTX-TV 4805 Amon Carter Boulevard, Ft. Worth, TX, 75155 **
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WRC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue NW Washington, DC 20016
KTVI/KPLR-TV 2250 Ball Drive St. Louis, MO 63146
WZTV 631 Mainstream Drive Nashville, TN 37228
KUTV 299 South Main Street, #150 Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WDAF-TV 3030 Summit Kansas City, MO 64108
WTIC-TV 285 Broad Street Hartford, CT 06115
WBMA-TV 800 Concourse Pkwy Ste 200. Hoover, AL 35244
WOLF-TV 1181 Highway 315 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18702 (News Manager)
WHAS-TV 520 W. Chestnut St. Louisville, KY 40202
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WZDX-TV 1309 N. Memorial Parkway Huntsville, AL 35801
WTOC-TV 1511 Chatham Center Dr. Savannah, GA 31405
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th St. Springdale, AR 72762
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323. Tyler, TX 75701
KNDU/KNDO-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave. Yakima, WA 98902
KHSL-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
KDRV-TV 1090 Knutson Ave. Medford, OR 97504
KESQ-TV 31276 Dunham Way Thousand Palms, CA 92276
KXMB-TV 1811 N 15th St. Bismarck, ND 58501 (see ad above!)
KOSA-TV 4101 E. 42nd. Suite J-7. Odessa, TX. 79761
WTWO-TV 10849 N US Highway 41, Farmersburg, IN 47850
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WTVY-TV 285 North Foster St., Dothan, AL 36303
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KGWN-TV, 2923 E. Lincolnway. Cheyenne, WY 82001
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

**: Spanish language station

March 31, 2024

Greetings:

Perhaps it’s the holiday, perhaps it’s the NCAA basketball tournament, but the flood of news slowed a little this week.

There are TWO ND openings, ONE created when the incumbent left to become one of the TWO new NDs in this week’s report.

There are still 34 stations on our list of openings, with THREE of those jobs among our SEVEN Paid Help Wanted ads.

A former news director becomes a GM in Atlanta, and replaces a GM who himself had once been a news director.

And we have an obituary for another former Atlanta ND who went on to be a GM in two markets.

There are a few management moves, and a worth your time to read email from a 40 year veteran…and FIVE time ND…who is retiring.

All that and more below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Gegg

WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH…CHRIS GEGG takes his sixth ND job as he moves to this Gray TV owned FOX affiliate. Here’s the note to the staff from WXIX GM JENNIFER RIEFFER. Chris has spent the last 2+ years as ND for WHAS-TV (Tegna/ABC) in Louisville, has held ND jobs in Norfolk, Albany, NY, Milwaukee, and Madison, WI and worked in other cities. He replaces STEVE HYVONNEN who is now Managing Editor for WFTV (ABC) in Orlando.

Raffaele

WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA…MICHAEL RAFFAELE will be the next ND for this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate. We told you last week he’d left WNYT-TV in Albany for Harrisburg: I just didn’t know about the job! He’s spent three years there following ND stints in Columbia, SC, and Tupelo and a few other jobs. At WHP, he replaces BRYAN QUEEN who left in January after 7+ years to return to sister Sinclair station WLOS-TV in Asheville, NC.

SciLine has a wide variety of scientific experts ready to help with your news stories over the next few weeks.

SciLine Briefing:

Climate change and agriculture: air, water, and soil

Tuesday, April 9 (2-3 p.m. EDT) – Zoom

Panelists:

Dr. Courtney Leisner, Virginia Tech
Dr. Mallika Nocco, University of Wisconsin Madison
Dr. Michelle Wander, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

More from SciLine:

Virtual Open House:

Apr. 11 (1-1:30 p.m. EDT): Join us to learn more about the free services we offer to local reporters

Interview an expert (15 minute-slots):

Apr. 12 (1-3 p.m. EDT): Syphilis on the rise (Dr. Ina Park, UCSF)
Apr. 16 (3-5 p.m. EDT): Wildlife crossings (Dr. Nicki Frey, Southern Utah U.)
Apr. 29 (1-3 p.m. EDT): PFAS in water supplies (Dr. Jessica Ray, U. of Washington)
May 15 (1-3 p.m. EDT): Rooftop solar incentives (Dr. Severin Borenstein, UC Berkeley)
May 23 (2-4 p.m. EDT): Wild pigs (Dr. John “Jack” Mayer, Savannah River National Laboratory)

Upcoming training:

Apr. 23 (2-3 p.m. EDT): Science essentials for news directors

SciLine, a philanthropically funded, free service for reporters, also runs a free expert matching service that connects reporters rapidly to scientist-sources on deadline.

New News Director Openings:

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY…you learned above that CHRIS GEGG is leaving this Tegna owned ABC affiliate to head north on I-71 to Cincinnati, where he’ll be the next ND for Gray’s WXIX-TV (FOX). He was here not quite three years.

Ehrhart

WGEM-TV, Quincy, IL…JOHN EHRHART will, in his words, turn off the set for the last time on April 12th, ending a long career in our business, much of it spent in the field as a photographer or on the assignment desk, plus a few stints as an ND. Here’s his note to me, and his Linkedin page which details his many stops. John’s been the ND at this Gray owned NBC affiliate for just over a year.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KXNews, Bismarck, ND:

Calling all news managers looking to grow their skillset in a city with plenty of outdoor adventures. Nexstar Media Group, Inc. has a News Director opening at KX News in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Our market covers half the state of North Dakota. KX News has studios in Bismarck and Minot.

The right candidate will be a strong mentor who understands the importance of local enterprise stories. We’re searching for a decisive decision maker with a track record of leading newsroom teams.

Learn more here!

News Director, WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO:

Want to live in a vibrant, growing city that is home to the Super Bowl Champions?

Nexstar Inc. seeks an experienced, driven broadcast professional to serve as News Director for WDAF FOX4.

We are the news leaders in the Kansas City market with more than 70 hours of live news programming each week. You will lead and supervise all aspects of news, weather, and sports on FOX4 and all digital platforms.

We are looking for someone who has passion for the industry, the vision and willingness to innovate the news product, and the mindset to grow collaborative winning teams.

Apply here: Careers (myworkdayjobs.com)

News Director, WNYT-TV, Albany, NY:

NBC News Channel 13 in Albany, NY is looking for a News Director to help lead our news room operations.

WNYT-TV is owned by Hubbard Broadcasting-a premier family-owned mid-sized media organization.

In this role, you would be in charge of the news broadcasts as well as having a key role in the recruitment and training of news producers and on-air talent.

We are looking for someone who is passionate about objective journalism, believes in treating people with respect and dignity and wants to be an active member of their community. This is a rare opportunity at this 100-Year old legacy organization.

Albany, NY is the bustling capital of the Empire State. The seat of government for the fourth largest state in the country, there is no shortage of news stories-whether government focused, breaking news or investigative focused.

Only 2 hours to New York City or Boston, you are close to all of the amenities of these great cities without the high costs of living there. In Albany, you can be in the heart of the city in a top 60 market one moment and then be in the mountains or near a lake within a few minutes.

Come see why Albany is a great place to live and work!

To apply for this opportunity, please visit our career website: WNYT News Director.

Senior Director, CNN NewsSource, Sales and Affiliate Relations:

CNN NEWSOURCE SEEKS A SALES AND AFFILIATE RELATIONS SENIOR DIRECTOR.

Our new team member will focus on helping our local news affiliates tell their stories, leading new business generation and account service. Every great story hW

Check out the details here!

Assistant News Director, WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA:

WBRZ is seeking an innovative, energetic newsroom leader to join the journalism team as Assistant News Director.

This position mentors and coaches young journalists and works closely with MMJs and reporters on daily assignments and investigations. Previous experience as a reporter/MMJ or anchor is helpful.

This is a great opening for a reporter who is looking to move into a newsroom manager role. WBRZ owns investigative journalism and breaking news. This newsroom thrives on urgency.

Catapult your career by joining the WBRZ News management team. WBRZ prides itself on being authentically local and is the area’s only locally owned and operated TV news station. It has been so since signing on in 1955.

Send resume, brief cover letter and an outline of your news philosophy to Letitia Walker, Director of News, via email to lwalker@wbrz.com or mail to WBRZ-TV, P.O. Box 2906, Baton Rouge, LA 70821.

Pre-employment drug screening required. EOE.

Station Manager, KXXV/KRHD-TV, Waco/Bryan, TX:

KXXV/KRHD, the Scripps ABC stations in Waco, and Bryan, Texas, is searching for a Station Manager to lead local operations.

The Station Manager will report into and collaborate with the Regional VP/GM to oversee local market operations and execute local media strategic initiatives in an assigned station. Oversee department head leaders and manage day-to-day operations of the station while serving as a functional leader in own area of expertise.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Lead and implement the local media strategic plan, including the content & brand strategy, for assigned station.

Act as co-leader in generating ratings and revenue, including developing strategic plans and operational plans for the station’s growth in multi-platform content delivery and revenue generation.

In partnership with the Regional VP/GM, support development of and ensure responsible financial stewardship to the station operating and capital expense budgets.

Continue to serve as the leader and subject matter expert for one of the station’s functional areas, while overseeing a team of department head leaders of other functional areas.

Lead a culture consistent with Scripps values, with a commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion, and developing employees at all levels.

Responsible for all aspects of financial statements and ensuring station compliance with Scripps policies.

Enforcing all FCC, EEO, SOX and other appropriate rules and regulations.

Other duties as may be assigned.

Apply Here:

Senior Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

The WINK Senior Executive Producer will oversee the development and training of producers and Executive Producers at Southwest Florida’s leading news operation.

The top candidate will be someone who demonstrates the ability to lead and teach. Creativity, strong news judgment, superb writing skills and excellent showcasing and production skills are a must.

The Sr. EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product, which includes Executive Producers, Producers and Associate Producers.

Click here to learn more and apply.