July 3, 2022
Greetings:
As promised, we have a lot of news in this week’s edition, which I had hoped to get to you earlier…but it takes time!
We have FOUR new news director openings, THREE in top 30 markets. And FOUR newly named news directors, NONE in top 50 markets.
We told you in an UPDATE that one of those large market NDs was headed to a new role at her station. We now WHAT that role will be which is detailed below.
All told, there are now 36 openings on our list.
ONE of those openings is advertised in our only Paid Help Wanted ad.
Speaking of advertisers, we welcome BARRY NASH & COMPANY. Many of you know Barry and members of his team, who can help you with coaching in a variety of situations. Please click on the ad below and set up an appointment to see them at the upcoming NABJ/NAHJ conference in Las Vegas.
We have TWO new GMs this week, one whose appointment created one of those large market ND openings.
New jobs for TWO former news directors, and we’ll give you a link to a Wall Street Journal article about a large station group owner who may be nearing a deal to buy the CW. That…and more…in Names in the News.
Please read on and stay safe this holiday!
Newly Named News Directors:
Settle
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY… this Tegna owned NBC affiliate has hired JEREMY SETTLE as ND. Details in this post from the website. Jeremy most recently was ND for Altice’s News 12 New Jersey for the last three years of the nine years he worked there. He’s a former ND in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton and for a cable operation in Washington, DC. Jeremy replaces JEFF WOODARD whose return as ND was short-lived: just two months before family reasons caused him to step down.
Duff
KGMB/KHNL/KFVE-TV, Honolulu, HI…this Gray triopoly (NBC-CBS-Telemundo) has hired SCOTT DUFF from sister station WSFA-TV (NBC) in Montgomery, AL. Scott’s been ND there for almost 16 years. He sent me this note reflecting on the past and the future. It includes GM MARK BUNTING’s note. He replaces SCOTT HUMMER who followed his former GM, RICK BLANGIARDI, to City Hall as Director of Communications for now Mayor Blandgiardi. Read on to learn about Duff’s replacement in Montgomery.
Wencl
KAPP/KVEW-TV, Yakima/Kennewick, WA…ERIN WENCL makes a big move from Texas to Washington state to become ND for this Morgan Murphy owned duopoly (both ABC stations) She’s been the ND for KAGS-TV in Bryan-College Station, TX for the past three years and has also worked in Fargo and Laredo. Erin replaces MATT VAN SLYKE who left last November for a PR job after three years as ND.
Wingard
WSFA-TV, Montgomery, AL…those of you preparing your resumes to fill this opening can stand down. Longtime employee DESMOND WINGARD is the new ND. He’s been the Assistant News Director and has worked at the station for 23 years. GM MARK BUNTING sent this note to the staff. As you learned above, he’s replacing SCOTT DUFF who’s off to Hawaii as ND for the Gray triopoly there.
New News Director Openings:
Passman
KTVT, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…the first of TWO Thursday updates told you that LAURIE PASSMAN was moving to a new role at this CBS o-and-o. NEW THIS EDITION: the staff memo from GM RAQUEL AMPARO explaining what that is. Here’s Laurie’s memo to the staff explaining why she needed a change. She’s been the ND here for four years, has worked there for seven, and also logged time in Phoenix and Albuquerque.
Kiernan
WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI…Thursday’s second update reported that JEFF KIERNAN gets his first GM job at KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas. It’s a move within Scripps: Jeff’s been ND at WXYZ (ABC) for 18 months and earlier was ND for Scripps’ WTMJ-TV (NBC) in Milwaukee. It was his second time as ND at WTMJ, though you wouldn’t know it by this news release, which omits both his earlier WTMJ tenure and THREE ND jobs at CBS owned stations in Chicago, Boston and Minneapolis. He replaces CHRIS WAY who, along with ND NANCY BAUER, left on the same day a few weeks ago.
Reed
KGTV, San Diego, CA…we told you Friday in our THIRD update of the week that TODD REED’s tenure as news director for this Scripps owned ABC affiliate had come to an end after just four months. Before San Diego, Todd had spent 2 1/2 years as ND for Nexstar’s KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City. You can learn more about his background by going to his Linkedin page.
Dale
WCSC-TV, Charleston, SC…congratulations to JENNIFER DALE who advances within Gray, not to a new ND job, but to a new role as VP/Recruiting for Gray. More in this email from Gray SVP-Local Media SANDY BRELAND. Jennifer has been ND for this Gray/CBS affiliate for the past 4 1/2 years. She’s also been an ND in Johnson City, TN, and has worked in Mobile, Myrtle Beach and Columbus, GA.
Paid Help Wanted Ad:
News Director, WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY:
Join the country’s largest television ownership group in Buffalo, New York (DMA #52). #NexstarNation has an immediate opening for a strategic and experienced News Director to lead our award-winning team at WIVB (CBS)/WNLO (CW) and wivb.com.
Our brand is LOCAL and we live it every day, producing more than 64 hours of local news weekly. We are home to the market’s “certified most accurate weather” and showcase the most comprehensive sports coverage. WIVB is the official broadcast home of the Buffalo Bills. The station is also the official broadcast station of the University of Buffalo Athletics. Digitally, we lead the market in social engagement and are recognized as the top news source.
Buffalo is a great news town, but it’s also a great place to live. From the ever-growing Waterfront development, the changing seasons, wine country, and pro sports (with passionate fans like you’ve never seen before) and the flavorful food, it’s pretty tough to beat the unique, local feel!
Click here to apply today, and find out why it’s a great time to be a part of Nexstar.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 6/19/22)
KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN (listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (relisted 6/5/22)
WTHR-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 5/15/22)
KENS-TV, San Antonio TX (listed 5/15/22)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (relisted 6/5/22)
WGRZ-TV, Buffalo NY (listed 5/15/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 7/3/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (listed 6/5/22)
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL (relisted 6/5/22)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 5/22/22)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (relisted 6/5/22)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/22/22)
KPHO/KTVK-TV, Phoenix, AZ (relisted 6/5/22)
KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ (PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (listed 5/1/22)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 5/8/22)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 5/15/22)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (AM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WCNC-TV, Charlotte, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KMOV-TV. St. Louis, MO (Special Projects EP, listed relisted 5/8/22)
WMAR-TV, Baltimore, MD (listed 6/12/22)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (listing revised 5/8/22)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 5/8/22)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/5/22)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/3/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Special Projects EP. listed 5/15/22)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 5/30/22)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 6/12/22)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/1/22)
WTLV/WJXX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (PM EP, listed 6/12/22)
KFOR/KAUT-TV, Oklahoma City (Overnight EP, listed 7/3/22)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham AL (relisted 6/26/22)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point NC (listed 6/19/22)
WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 6/19/22)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 5/22/22)
WPRI-TV, Providence, RI (listed 5/22/22)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 5/1/22)
WBAY-TV, Green Bay, WI (AM EP, listed 6/12/22)
WHO-TV, Des Moines, IA (AM EP, listed 5/22/22)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (listed 6/5/22)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (two openings, AM & PM EP, listed 5/15/22)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/1/22)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 5/22/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 6/5/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (relisted 5/22/22)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (listed 6/26/22)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 7/3/22)
WETM-TV, Elmira, NY (listed 6/26/22)
WRDE-TV, Milton, DE (listed 5/22/22) **
SUPERVISING PRODUCER:
KOMU-TV, Columbia, Mo (relisted 6/5/22)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/12/22)
KGW-TV, Portland, OR (listed 5/15/22)
KOMU-TV, Columbia, MO (relisted 6/5/22)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 7/3/22:
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 6/26/22:
WJW-TV, Cleveland, OH: (Digital Content Director)
Listed 6/12/22:
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX (Director of Digital Content)
KVEO/KGBT-TV, Rio Grande Valley, TX (Digital Content Manager)
Listed 5/30/22:
WVEC-TV, Norfolk, VA (Director of Digital Content)
Listed 5/15/22:
Spectrum News NY1 (Senior Producer & Senior Producer-Politics)
Missouri School of Journalism, Columbia, MO: (Supervising Producer, Documentary Journalism Center)
WKYC-TV, Cleveland, OH (Digital Content Director)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (Digital Content Director)
WLAX/WEUX-TV, LaCrosse, WI (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 5/15/22:
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ: (Assignment Desk Manager)
WFTS-TV, Tampa, FL (Manager of Real Time Depth)
U. of Mississippi, Oxford, MS (Director of Student Media)
Obituaries:
Always pleased when there are no obituaries to report.
Names in the News:
Wilson
In Milwaukee, JIM WILSON returns to his roots as he’s become Chief Photographer for Scripps’ WTMJ-TV (NBC). Jim spent 30 years across town at WITI-TV (once again owned by FOX). He started there as a photographer and rose to VP/News Director, a job he held for three years until two months ago. More in this staff memo from WTMJ ND TIM VETSCHER.
Elledge
We told you last edition that SCOTT ELLEDGE was leaving Nexstar’s WJBF-TV in Augusta, GA, for a new job. Scott was ND there for 13 years, survived the end of a JOA/SSA, and continued on as ND for WJBF. Now…a new challenge as he outlined in this detailed note to me which covers his background and his new job as VP/Director of Development for Bahakel.
Carter
KNXV-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Phoenix has promoted KIANEY CARTER to its vacant assignment manager position. She’s been the coordinating producer for the morning newscast for the past 2+ years and previously worked as a producer for almost seven years. Kianey’s also worked as a producer in Raleigh and Fresno.
Quick hits:
KTXL-TV (Nexstar/FOX) in Sacramento has promoted KRYSTAL OBLINGER to executive producer. She’s also worked in Savannah, GA.
The Wall Street Journal reports that Nexstar is close to a deal to acquire the CW network. It’s owns the largest number of CW affiliate, but one does wonder what happens to CW stations in markets where Nexstar owns other stations?
General Manager News and Notes:
You learned above that JEFF KIERNAN will be the next GM at Scripps’ KTNV-TV (ABC) in Las Vegas from his job as ND for the company’s WXYZ-TV (ABC) in Detroit.
Moses
BRAD MOSES returns home as he’s been named General Manager for Gray’s WTVG-TV (ABC) in Toledo. He once worked there as operation manager and director of creative services. (Earlier, we worked together at WTOL-TV in Toledo). Brad went on to be a GM in a number of stations as you’ll learn in this news release.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 3, 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
KTVT/KTVA-TV 5233 Bridge St. Fort Worth, TX 76103
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Rd. Boston, MA 02134
WXYZ-TV 20777 W. Ten Mile Rd. Southfield, MI 48075
WTHR-TV 1000 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis, IN 46204
KGTV 4600 Air Way. San Diego, CA 92102
KSTU-TV 5020 West Amelia Earhart Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116
KTVX-TV 2175 West 1700 South Salt Lake City, UT 84104
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd. Milwaukee, WI 53209
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas, NV 89102
WTLV/WJXX-TV 1070 East Adams Street Jacksonville, FL 32202
WIVB-TV 2077 Elmwood Ave Buffalo, NY 14207 (see ad above!)
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
KHQ-TV 1201 W. Sprague Ave. Spokane, WA 99201
WHAM-TV 4225 W. Henrietta Rd. Rochester, NY 14623
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt Street Rochester, NY 14610
KAGS-TV 2800 South Texas Avenue, Bryan, TX 77802
WSAV-TV 1430 East Victory Dr., Savannah, GA 31404
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd. Charleston, SC 29414
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, TX 79922
KRNV/KRXI-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WJBF-TV 1336 Augusta W Pkwy., Augusta, GA 30909
KNDO/KNDU-TV 216 W. Yakima Ave., Yakima, WA 98902
KADN-TV 1500 Eraste Landry Rd. Lafayette, LA 70506
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd. West Monroe, LA 71292
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KULR-TV. 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WETM-TV 101 East Water Street Elmira, NY 14901
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
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
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
**: Spanish language station