July 2, 2023
Greetings:
One of the busiest weeks on a long time.
FOUR new news directors named.
THREE new openings.
SIX General Manager changes, THREE in top 20 markets.
THREE obituaries, including TWO of former news directors.
TWO paid help wanted ads for news directors, among our 33 stations looking for a new ND.
And FOUR items in Names in the News.
We also welcome back Octopus which will be with us the next four weeks promoting its innovative newsroom computer system leading up to the TAB conference.
Grab your favorite beverage and read on!
Newly Named News Directors:
Bannard
KSAZ-TV, Phoenix, AZ…the first news director change in more than two decades at this FOX o-and-o happened this week, as DOUG BANNARD left on Friday after 26 years as news director. His long time assistant, STEVE LEVI, will replace him.
Both joined the station in the 90s. Doug started in 1990 as a producer, advanced to executive producer, assistant news director, and then ND.
Levi
Steve’s also a long time employee of this Fox owned and operated station, first joining FOX 10 in 1994. He’s been an assignment editor, associate producer, producer and executive producer and has been the assistant news director for the last eight years, obviously working closely with Doug the entire time.
Best wishes to both in their new roles.
Murrietta
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…RUDY MURRIETA is the new news director at this Imagicomm Communications owned FOX affiliate. He has been Managing Editor here before moving into the news director job back in May. Rudy’s background is long and varied as you’ll see by clicking on his Linkedin page. At KOKI, he replaces FRANK VOLPICELLA who left the station back in February and retired after 43 years in our business.
Donley
KHGI-TV, Kearney, NE…ANDREW DONLEY is the new ND for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Andrew posted this on Linkedin about his new job. He began his career as a photojournalist and MMJ for two stations in Oklahoma City, and worked in Birmingham as a reporter before moving into management. Andrew replaces MATT WEESNER who left in late 2022 after eleven years as the ND here
Brunner
WIBW-TV, Topeka, KS…a longtime station employee replaces another longtime station employee as news director for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate. MELLISA BRUNNER, who’s an anchor and has been at the station for 27 years, will replace JON JANES. We told you three weeks ago that Jon was retiring after 24 years as ND and more than 50 years in television news.
New News Director Openings:
Tang
WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI…as you likely are aware by now, STANTON TANG was one of four people dismissed this week at this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. It all stems from a memo about coverage of Pride activities. New this edition: Details about the situation from Crain’s Grand Rapids Business. Stanton’s been ND here since late 2021, earlier had been ND for WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids and for a station in Reno.
Coe
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN..ALLISON COE is staying within Nexstar but leaving this ABC affiliate. She’s taking a job in sales at sister Nexstar station WJHL-TV (CBS/ABC) in the Tri-Cities market. (I understand that family matters had a role in this decision.) She’s been the ND here for not quite five years and earlier worked for 16 years at WKRN-TV in Nashville in a variety of management roles.
Sullivan
WXXV-TV, Gulfport, MS…this Morris Media owned FOX/NBC operation is looking for a new news director. My records show that JOE SULLIVAN was promoted to news director here in 2014, one year after he first joined the station as an evening anchor. You can learn more about this opening in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WXXV-TV, Gulfport, MS:
WXXV, the Morris Multimedia station in Gulfport, MS, seeks a News Director to lead a team of enthusiastic, young journalists and seasoned professionals. The ideal candidate brings a history of leadership and mentorship. Key responsibilities include recruiting, developing and retaining talent, creating overall LOCAL journalistic strategy and policy for daily newscasts, effectively managing staff and resources while fostering a positive, proactive and productive work environment.
WXXV is a great place to work, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast has truly emerged as a sought-out tourist destination with a flourishing arts and music scene, and attractions that highlight the region’s natural splendor. Add to this sun-soaked beaches, world-class golf courses, exquisite art galleries, fresh-off-the-dock seafood, deep-sea fishing and avid nightlife. The barrier islands and waterways offer both relaxation and adventure. Annual attractions include Cruisin’ the Coast, Mardi Gras, and the Senior PGA Tournament. Home to Ingalls Shipbuilding and Stennis Space Center, South Mississippi has a very viable and diverse workforce. New Orleans is 80 miles to the west. Mobile is 67 miles to the east.
Now, back to the station:
We utilize DMV & criminal background checks as a condition of employment.
Please email resume and references to: hr@wxxv25.com
No phone calls
Employment at WXXV shall be based on merit, qualification, and competence. Employment practice shall not be influenced or affected by virtue of an applicant’s or an employee’s race, age, sex, religion, color, national origin, or disability. Females and minorities are encouraged to apply.
News Director, KIEM-TV, Eureka, CA:
Redwood News in beautiful Eureka, California is seeking a News Director.
California has a moderate climate, immense redwoods, the pacific ocean and everything outdoors. It’s a great place to start a news director position or wind down your career.
News Director experience preferred: however experienced executive producers or assistant news directors looking to move into the News Director role are also welcomed to apply.
It’s also a great place for someone who wants to restart their career. This is a hands on situation and not for someone who wants to sit in the office behind a desk.
We are looking for someone who:
- Can oversee the daily operations of the television newsroom.
Is tech savvy with attention to website content and social media.
Hire, train, and coach news staff
Review stories to make sure they are fair and accurate before they go on the air.
Ensuring adherence to journalistic and legal standards Mentor and guide the team
Salary: $58,000-$70,000 commensurate with experience.
Send resume to General Manager JENNY OLSZEWSKI by clicking here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KCBS/KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, LA (listed 4/30/23)
WATN-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 6/4/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
KATC-TV, Lafayette, LA (listed 7/2/23)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (listed 5/21/23)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (relisted 5/29/23)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 7/2/23)
WDCW-TV, Washington DC (listed 6/11/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (relisted 4/23/23)
WTSP-TV, Tampa/St. Petersburg (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, ND (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 5/21/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 5/29/23)
WKRN-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 5/14/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP, listed 6/4/23)
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (AM EP, listed 5/14/23)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 7/2/23)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 7/2/23)
WXIX-TV Cincinnati, OH (EP, listed 5/29/23)
WREG-TV, Memphis, TN (listed 5/21/23)
WLEX-TV, Lexington, KY listed 7/2/23)
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 4/30/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (AM EP, listed 6/4/23)
WCBD-TV, Charleston, SC (listed 6/11/23)
WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL (Digital EP, listed 5/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 4/23/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 7/2/23)
KTVH-TV, Helena, MT (listed 7/2/23)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KCTV, Kansas City, MO (listed 5/13/23)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 6/11/23)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/2/23)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 5/14/23:
Voice of America, Washington, DC (Standards Editor)
WMBD-TV, Peoria, IL (Assignment Manager)
WWTI-TV, Watertown, NY (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 5/7/23:
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Multimedia News Manager)
U. of Florida, Gainesville, FL (Technical News Producer)
Obituaries:
Bohrman
DAVID BOHRMAN, an innovative television producer who started in local news in Los Angeles, and went on to many network jobs, including CNN, died this week of complications from hip surgery. He was 69. At CNN, he is credited with pioneering the “Magic Wall” which many, many broadcasters have copied. CNN aired this tribute to David. He also spent time at ABC News, where he created World News Now, worked at NBC and other places.
Krohlow
PAT KROHLOW, who held a wide variety of jobs for WLUK-TV in Green Bay before his 2010 retirement, died this week after a short illness. He was 76. He started at WLUK as a photojournalist, became assignment editor, news director, and later worked as the station’s marketing director. WLUK remembered him on air, while a more detailed obituary can be found here.
Murphy
CHACE MURPHY, a one-time news director for KBTX-TV in Bryan/College Station, TX, died this week. But he was better known in those parts for the 15 years he spent as the public address announcer for Texas A&M football and men’s basketball teams. He also worked in radio news before leaving broadcasting to become manager of public affairs for Atmos Energy. He was ND for KBTV from 2007-2008. His former station aired this story.
Names in the News:
KGTV (Scripps/ABC) in San Diego has promoted JAMES GORCOS from EP to Assistant ND. GM LEON CLARK told the staff.
Gibson
Former ND ALLISON GIBSON has been named Senior Editor/Business for Sonoma Media Investments. The company owns the North Bay Business Journal and The Press Democrat. Learn more about her new job here. Allison last graced these pages during her stint as ND for KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA, after a long run at News 12 Long Island New Jersey.
Kurpius
University of Missouri Dean DAVID KURPIUS, a one-time news director in Macon, GA (WMGT-TV) has won the Scripps Howard-AEJMC Administrator of the Year Award.
And while we’re on the education beat, WES LOWERY has joined American University as an Associate Professor of Investigative Reporting.
General Manager News and Notes:
A TON of general manager changes this week:
At KDFW-TV (Fox owned) in Dallas, longtime GM KATHY SAUNDERS announced her retirement FOUR DAYS before her last day, which was Friday.
At WXIA-TV (NBC/Tegna owned) in Atlanta, another longtime GM, JOHN DEUSHANE posted his retirement news on Linkedin. He’ll leave in a month.
At WLTV (Univision owned) in Miami, ERIC GARCIA has been named President and General Manager.
At KTBC-TV (another FOX o-and-o) in Austin, TX, SUSIE DOUCETTE-PYLE will be the new GM, moving from Fox’s KRIV-TV in Houston where she was the general sales manager.
And Sinclair named TWO new general managers.
At KTUL-TV in Tulsa, MICHAEL LEWIS will be the new GM.
And at WSMH-TV in Flint/Saginaw/Bay City, MI, one time news director KEVIN DUNAWAY will take over this FOX affiliate. He’ll also oversee WEYI-TV (NBC) which Sinclair operates.
Our List of Open News Director jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 2, 2023:
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
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, GA 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 **
WCCO-TV 90 S. 11th Street Minneapolis, MN 55403
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St, Doral, FL 33178 **
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
KSNV-TV 1500 Foremaster Lane Las Vegas, NV 89101
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WAVE-TV 725 S. Floyd St. Louisville KY 40203
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KFTV 3239 W Ashlan Av. Fresno, CA 93722 **
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207
WATE-TV 1306 North Broadway Knoxville, TN 37917
KITV 801 So. King St. Honolulu, HI 96813
KLEW-TV 2626 17th St, Lewiston, ID 83501
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WICS-TV 2680 E. Cook St. Springfield, IL 62703
WQAD-TV 3003 Park 16th Street Moline, IL 61265
WTAJ-TV 5000 Sixth Avenue Altoona, PA 16602
KIMA-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima, WA 98901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
WXXV-TV 14351 Hwy 49 N. Gulfport, MS 39503 (see ad above!)
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WDTV 5 Television Dr. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
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-TV 5650 S Broadway St Eureka, CA 95503 (see ad above!)
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101
**: Spanish language station