March 25, 2018
Greetings:
It’s possible this is the longest newsletter in our 22+ years of publication.
There are NINE new news director openings…TWO at network owned stations in the top THREE markets. (Ironically, neither of those stations have a GM currently, meaning the ND jobs will likely be open for a while.)
There are FIVE newly named news directors, leaving 33 stations with ND openings.
We have SEVEN paid help wanted ads, FOUR for news director jobs.
There are, sadly, THREE obituaries, TWO of them for immediate family members of legendary industry figures.
And we have several GM changes and MANY interesting items in Names in the News. Please be sure to check that out.
With that introduction, please read on!
Newly Named News Directors:
Minnaugh
WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL…in the first of THREE UPDATES we brought you this week, we reported that RYAN MINNAUGH would be the next ND for this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. More in the news release. Not mentioned there is the reunion between WFLA GM SKIP VALET and Ryan…they held the same jobs at WTKR-TV in Norfolk where Ryan had been ND since late 2015. He’s also worked in Cleveland, Denver and Indianapolis and for CNBC. Ryan replaces veteran ND BILL BERRA who is retiring.
Kiernan
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI…we told you on Thursday that JEFF KIERNAN was leaving Chicago’s WBBM-TV and returning to WTMJ as ND. Here’s the news release and the view from longtime Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER. Jeff’s been ND here for nine years, was previously the ND for CBS o-and-o’s in Boston and Minneapolis, but his first ND job was at WTMJ. He replaces JANET HUNDLEY who left this Scripps owned NBC affiliate in December after 3 1/2 years as ND.
Head
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL…PASCALE HEAD will be the next ND for this Cox owned CBS/FOX duopoly. Details here, including her responsibilities over Cox’s radio operation there. She’s worked here for almost ten years, first as Managing Editor and, for the last 4+ years, Senior Executive Producer. She’s also worked for another Jacksonville station. Pascale replaces the man who promoted her, BOB LONGO, who was promoted to GM three months ago after four years as ND.
Schaab
WAND-TV, Decatur, IL…MORGAN SCHAAB has been promoted to news director for this Block Communications owned NBC affiliate. Morgan first joined the station as an producer in 2008, has been both Assistant ND and Managing Editor and EP. She did spent two years in the middle of her time at WAND as a Community Manager for the American Cancer Society. She replaces AARON VOGEL who’s left the station after just more than a year as ND.
Bradshaw
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX…ADAM BRADSHAW starts tomorrow as the new news director for this Nexstar operated NBC/FOX duopoly. Adam most recently was the ND for KVVU-TV in Las Vegas, a job he left in October, 2015, after nine years. He’s also been an ND in Salt Lake City and Rochester, NY, and has worked in Los Angeles, San Diego and for another Las Vegas station. Adam replaces DOUG BILYEU who’d anchored at the station for 20 years and had been the ND for eight years, who is taking a job out of news.
New News Director Openings:
Edwards
WABC-TV, New York, NY…the long rumored departure of CAMILLE EDWARDS finally happened earlier this week. She had been on leave since the end of the year. The New York Post’s Page Six has more details on the circumstances behind her departure. She was ND here for 5+ years and also was an ND for NBC owned stations in Chicago and Washington. Camille earlier had worked for ABC o-and-o’s in Chicago and Philadelphia. Other career stops included Baltimore and Toledo.
WBBM-TV, Chicago, IL…perhaps the biggest surprise of the week was JEFF KIERNAN’s return to Milwaukee after nine years at this CBS o-and-o. We have many more details on his move above.
Sanchez
KDEN-TV, Denver, CO…ALFREDO SANCHEZ is leaving this Telemundo operation to head to academia. Beginning in the fall, he’ll join the faculty at Metropolitan State University in Denver as a tenure track professor. Alfredo joined the station last May and previously worked for Telemundo in Dallas.
Neves
WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT…in one of two ND to GM moves this week, congratulations to DANA NEVES who gets the big chair at this Meredith owned CBS affiliate. She’s been ND here for 12 years but began at the station as an intern in 1995. She worked her way up the ranks to assignment manager, managing editor and assistant news director. Dana replaces KLARN DePALMA who was promoted to Executive Vice President of MNI Targeted Media, a Meredith company. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA…you learned above that RYAN MINNAUGH was off to Tampa to be the next ND for Nexstar’s WFLA-TV, the NBC affiliate there. Ryan was ND at this Tribune owned CBS affiliate for just over two years.
Seals
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY…this Tegna owned ABC affiliate is advertising for a new news director. DAVID SEALS had held that position for the last four years.
Little
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC…MARK LITTLE resigned on Friday as the ND for this Raycom Media owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the note he sent his staff. Mark told me via email that he is ‘looking forward to what’s next’. He spent almost two years as ND here, and 14 years as ND for Raycom’s KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, MO, where he first joined that CBS affiliate as the assignment editor. He’s also worked in St. Louis.
Weeks
WLBT/WDBD-TV, Jackson, MS…in the second of TWO ND to GM moves this week, hats off to HATTON WEEKS who’s been promoted to GM for sister Raycom Media station KAIT-TV (ABC) in Jonesboro, AR. He spent eight years as ND at KAIT before moving to this NBC/FOX duopoly three years ago. Here’s the memo from Raycom’s Regional Group VP TIM INGRAM which has more details about Hatton’s background.
Petersen
KOTA/KEVN-TV, Rapid City, SD…Rapid City native JOHN PETERSEN will retire next month after 24 years as ND for this Gray TV owned ABC affiliate. He began in the market 40 years ago as a reporter Here’s his bio from the station website, and here’s the note he sent to his fellow Gray TV news directors. John’s also worked in Denver and in Flint/Saginaw, MI.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, WFSB-TV, Hartford, CT:
WFSB Meredith’s powerhouse CBS affiliate in Hartford Connecticut is looking for its next News Director. This is a dominant station with all the tools and a veteran staff ready to win.
We are seeking an experienced leader, preferably with at least five years newsroom management experience, who is content focused on all platforms. We are looking for someone who will coach and motivate a staff and keep us ahead of the competition.
WFSB serves a hyphenated market, and the ideal candidate must be aware of how to manage the complexities of such. The News Director must be passionate about strong journalism and unafraid to embrace technology.
http://www.meredith.com/viewjobopenings
News Director, WAOW-TV, Wausau, WI:
See if this sounds better than what you’re doing right now. You get to lead a newsroom loaded with talent at a dominant television station. You get to work for a family owned company who still loves broadcasting and cares deeply about the product and their people. And you get to live in a gorgeous part of the country 10 minutes away from lakes, rivers, snow, golf, a ski resort and more. And we actually believe in a work life balance. (Yes, we do. And you would too if you lived in a place like this!)
Quincy Media’s WAOW-TV in Wausau, Wisconsin is looking for an experienced newsroom manager. We need a strong leader with at least five years of experience. We need a great storyteller and someone who lives to make the team around them even stronger. You have to love news. And I mean love it. You have to be a catalyst and a leader in our digital and social efforts and set the tone every day in the newsroom.
If that’s you, this could be one of the best jobs you will ever have.
You will report to the General Manager and you will have the chance to work closely with other department heads to help us reach our next level of success.
If you think you’re qualified, want to work with a great group of people and live in one of America’s best cities, send your link, cover letter, resume and references via email to our GM, Curtis Miles: cmiles@waow.com or via mail to:
Curtis Miles
General Manager
WAOW-TV
1908 Grand Avenue
Wausau, WI 54403
NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE
WAOW-TV9 is an Equal Opportunity Employer
News Director, WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA:
WFXR, WWCW and VirginiaFirst.com in Roanoke-Lynchburg, Virginia (Market 70) is seeking an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news judgment, strong digital news initiative, and a passion to be the best.
The market has great local diversity with healthcare, education, agriculture and tourism all playing significant roles in the economy. Our community hosts and is surrounded by over 20 institutions of higher learning that range from renowned liberal arts colleges to Virginia Tech. In addition, the market is an outdoors and sports enthusiasts dream come true. Nestled just south of Skyline Drive, 3 hours from Washington DC in the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains this area offers a fantastic quality of life for all.
We are seeking a leader with a proven track record of team, product, content and community growth leading to ratings growth.
Click here to learn more about the requirements for this position.
This is a tremendous opportunity to join one of the fastest growing broadcast and digital companies in the industry while leading the successful growth of a talented team of journalists.
Interested candidates apply by sending email to mtaylor@virginiafirst.com and by completing our online application which is here.
WFXR WWCW and Nexstar Broadcasting Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
News Director, WETM-TV, Elmira, NY:
Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc. is looking for a News Director with a history of success to lead its broadcast and digital news operation in Elmira, NY.
This is an opportunity to lead a very dominant news station in the beautiful Finger Lakes region of New York. WETM-18 is the market leader, consistently producing 80 shares in news. In addition to our downtown Elmira main studio, we have a satellite studio in downtown Corning. We host congressional and state senate debates, as well as numerous other local projects throughout the year. We are not satisfied with an 80% share, and we continue to work aggressively to grow our audience share and length of viewing, as well as driving growth to our website, the top media website in the region, www.mytwintiers.com.
This position requires someone who is aggressive and excited about local news on-air and online, is out to win and will not accept any other option, is adept at leading and inspiring others to perform — and someone who is extremely organized to manage the myriad details required to keep the team organized and focused, to manage budget, and to ensure station compliance with rules and regulations applicable to FCC, local, state and federal laws.
If you are interested please forward your resume and a short biography regarding your professional history to Marci Daniels, VP and General Manager, Nexstar Broadcasting, 101 E. Water St., Elmira, NY 14901, or email to marcidaniels@wetmtv.com.
Or Apply here!
Assistant News Director, Spectrum News, Los Angeles:
Spectrum News Los Angeles is looking for an Assistant News Director to be responsible for planning, development and production of all news programming, and provide day-to-day management of the newsroom; Participates in coordinating coverage of major stories, breaking news and specials; Guides the development of coverage plans, including anticipating special news or sports events, ensuring comprehensive, well-rounded coverage.
Spectrum Networks is looking for passionate, talented and driven individuals with an eagerness to join the best and most dedicated in gathering, producing and delivering stories that make a difference within a 24-hour breaking news environment. Our commitment is to engage viewers with relevant and timely news that is important to the local communities we serve.
Spectrum Networks is a growing organization, home of 27 Local News Channels nationwide and 9 Local/Regional Sports Channels, inclusive of 3 Los Angeles based Sports Networks. Spectrum Networks is the news and sports division of Charter Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: CHTR), the leading broadband communications company and the second-largest cable operator in the United States.
Apply online by clicking here.
Morning Executive Producer, WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC:
Would you like to be a leader in a news operation with a commitment to excellence and the resources you need to succeed?
WRAL, the dominant television station in the Raleigh-Durham-Fayetteville market, is seeking a strong Morning Executive Producer to oversee the presentation and look of WRAL’s 4 ½ hours of morning news. We’re looking for a leader who will coach the producing staff, write and approve scripts, review topical and image promotion, enhance weather and traffic content, and contribute to special coverage.
The ideal candidate will find new ways of presenting digital content in our newscasts while working closely with our graphics, promotion, and news management teams. We are looking for a person with outstanding communication skills, superb news judgment who excels at breaking news and continuous coverage, and has an eye for details.
If you have a vision for graphics and a passion for memorable, creative and topnotch newscasts, this is the job for you. A proven track record demonstrating ratings growth is essential. WRAL is locally owned by Capitol Broadcasting Company, a community-oriented company that offers some of the best benefits in the business.
Requirements include five years of experience in producing newscasts, two years of news management experience and a four-year college degree.
A pre-employment drug screening is required.
All candidates must apply online.
EOE, M/F. All Capitol Broadcasting Company properties are tobacco free.
Capitol Broadcasting Company participates in E-Verify.
Morning Executive Producer, KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT:
KSTU Fox 13, the Fox affiliate in beautiful Salt Lake City, Utah, is looking for a creative, dynamic and experienced broadcast journalist to oversee our top-rated morning newscast.
The morning Executive Producer must be a proven newsroom leader who knows how to win breaking news on all platforms, maintain a strong sense of urgency with our newscast production and newsroom culture, and knows how to balance serious journalism with lighter moments critical to the success of our morning news.
This position will involve training and mentoring younger journalists while also collaborating with some of the most experienced television news personalities in the market.
PLEASE APPLY ONLINE AT: tribunemedia.com/careers and enter job #2018-47120 under keyword search.
KSTU is an EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
Spectrum News, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 2/25/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted this week)
KSBW-TV, Monterey, Salinas, Santa Cruz, CA (relisted 1/18/18)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 2/4/18)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (PM EP, listing revised 2/18/18)
WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (AM EP, listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, listed 2/25/18)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (AM EP, listed 3/18/18, see ad above!)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (Nightside EP, listed 3/11/18)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (relisted 1/14/18)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (2 openings, AM & PM, listed 3/11/18)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 1/21/18)
Obituaries:
I’m very sorry to report the deaths of close family members of two legendary industry figures.
Primo
ROSINA PRIMO, wife of former news director and consultant AL PRIMO, died this week at the age of 86. She had been in failing health. More details about her life and family are contained in this obituary. Many of you know (or know of) Al, who created Eyewitness News, worked as an ND in Philadelphia and New York, was VP/News for ABC, starteded his own consulting company, and created a syndicated TV program, Teen Kids News, which runs in over 200 markets. A kind note of sympathy reaches Al at primonews@aol.com
Dominic
MARK DOMINIC, son of Cleveland titan VIRGIL DOMINIC, died two weeks ago of a heart attack. He was 49 and worked as a technician at WRTV in Indianapolis. More here. A memorial fund in Mark’s name has been established by the station with the American Heart Association. Click here to learn more and donate. Virgil’s a legend in Cleveland, where he’s been an anchor, news director, and general manager. Your kind note to Virgil can be sent to: virgildominic@aol.com
Finally, LAWRENCE GROSSMAN, former President of both NBC News and PBS, died Friday at the age of 86. The New York Times always does a thorough obit on noteworthy figures, and here’s its coverage of Grossman’s death.
Names in the News (and other items):
Faye
KATIE McMANUS FAYE has been named News Manager for Sinclair’s WTGS-TV in Savannah, the FOX affiliate there. She’ll oversee the day-to-day newsroom operations and report to VICTORIA SPECHKO who’s the ND for sister-station WPDE-TV in Myrtle Beach-Florence, SC. Katie’s worked for Sinclair before (in Illinois), has been an ND in several markets, and has also worked in Nashville, Miami (two stations), Tampa, and Dallas.
LINDSAY WALTERS joins KTNV-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Las Vegas as the morning executive producer. She’s been working in Washington and has previously worked in Seattle and Phoenix.
STAN TURNER who was both news director and anchor for Minneapolis station KSTP-TV is losing his current gig as a radio show host…because his station is going dark. Read all about it here!
After 46 years, ROCKY GLISSON is retiring from Tampa’s WFLA-TV. He’s been a reporter, chief photographer, and assignment editor, and to read this story, a bit of a character as well.
Lord
The New York Times printed a compelling story by retired general manager, news director, and network correspondent BILL LORD on his days as an infantry sergeant in Vietnam. In this story, well worth your time, he pays tribute to the helicopter pilots with whom he flew…both in Vietnam and later when they flew for TV stations where Bill worked.
Priddy
One-time Missourinet radio news director BOB PRIDDY (and two-time RTDNA chair) BOB PRIDDY is being inducted in the Missouri Broadcasters Hall of Fame in June. Bob spent 40 years as ND for Missourinet before retiring in 2014. He’s also written six books, most on Missouri history, is currently president of the Missouri Historical Society, and is an avid auto racing fan.
Noory
Former St. Louis and Minneapolis News Director GEORGE NOORY was among 22 people inducted into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame. If the name sounds familiar, you may know his nationally broadcast overnight talk show, Coast to Coast AM. (Full disclosure: while ND at KSDK-TV in St. Louis, in 1982 George eliminated my job as Executive Producer-Operations.)
General Manager News and Notes:
KHOU-TV (Tegna/Houston/CBS) General Manager SUSAN McELDOON is retiring, a move delayed by the flood damage suffered by the station last year.
Meredith
LEE MEREDITH, a former ND turned GM, is also retiring as GM of Raycom’s WAFB-TV in Baton Rouge. He’s been a GM in Memphis, Huntsville, and Columbia, SC, and a news director in Charlotte, Raleigh, and Chattanooga. Details here.
In addition to the GM move at WFSB-TV in Hartford reported above, Meredith also promoted JOHN HESSLEIN to GM for WHSM-TV in Springfield, MA. John has worked there for more than 13 years as the Station Manager and General Sales Manager.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 25, 2018:
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
WABC-TV 7 Lincoln Square, New York, NY 10023
WBBM-TV 22 West Washington St., Chicago, IL 60602
Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFXT-TV 25 Fox Drive. Dedham, MA 02026
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KARE-TV 8811 Olson Memorial Hwy, Golden Valley, MN 55427
KDEN-TV 2727 Bryant St. Denver, CO, 80211 **
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WFSB-TV 333 Capital Blvd. Rocky Hill, CT 06067 (see ad above!)
KVVU-TV 25 TV 5 Dr, Henderson, NV 89014
WFTX-TV 621 S.W. Pine Island Rd. Cape Coral, FL 33991
WHAS-TV 520 W Chestnut St, Louisville, KY 40202
WVLT-TV 6450 Papermill Drive Knoxville, TN 37919
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Drive, Suite 1. Roanoke, VA 24019 (see ad above!)
WNEM-TV 107 N. Franklin St. Saginaw, MI 48607
WIS-TV 1111 Bull St, Columbia, SC 29201
WLBT/WDBD-TV 715 South Jefferson Street Jackson, MS 39201
KTVB-TV 5407 West Fairview Ave. Boise, ID, 83706
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Rd. East Peoria, IL 61611
KHSL/KNVN-TV 3460 Silverbell Rd. Chico, CA 95973
WAOW-TV 1908 Grand Ave. Wausau WI 54403 (see ad above!)
WTVO/WQRF-TV P.O. Box 470 Rockford, IL 61105
KMIR-TV 72920 Parkview Dr. Palm Desert, CA 92260
KCAU-TV 5993 Gordon Drive Sioux City, IA 51106
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KOTA-TV 2001 Skyline Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701
WETM-TV 101 E Water St, Elmira, NY 14901 (see ad above!)
WNKY-TV 325 Emmett Ave # N, Bowling Green, KY 42101
KXLF/KZBK-TV 1003 S Montana St, Butte, MT 59701
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd N. Twin Falls, ID 83301
**: Spanish language station