September 20, 2020
Greetings:
I need to start this week by thanking those of you who sent kind notes after last week’s newsletter, where we shared the news of the establishment of the Rick Gevers-Karen Burns Diversity Fund for College Journalists at IRE.
And Karen and I would particularly like to thank those of you who sent donations to IRE to help grow the fund, which provides on campus training at Historically Black Colleges and Universities, Hispanic Serving Institutions and on other campuses for the benefit of student journalists of color.
More details from the IRE website. And if you’d like to join us, visit the IRE website for a secure donation option.
Thanks again, and on to this week’s news.
Just ONE new news director named this week, with, to my knowledge, NO new openings. But we can tell you about the new job for an ND whose departure we shared last week, and we finally have a name for a Mississippi ND job.
With that change, our list of ND openings drops to 27. TWO of those open ND jobs are among our THREE Paid Help Wanted ads this week. One of those is for a top five market, network owned, VP of News position. And there’s an ad for a faculty position on the east coast.
There are THREE new GMs, including a former ND turned GM who’s moving to a top 15 market. And we’ll tell you about the retirement of a longtime Minneapolis GM.
And Names in the News has details about TWO retirements, one previously unreported that involves someone whose name you likely know. And the other looks at the tribute paid a retiring ND who left after 16 years in charge.
Newly Named News Directors:
Dodd
KVAL-TV, Eugene, OR…this Sinclair/CBS affiliate has tabbed veteran news director LAWTON DODD as its next news director. Lawton spent 22 years as ND for KSBW-TV in Salinas-Monterey before leaving the job in February, saying he was going to take some time off. Lawton’s also worked in Norfolk, Wichita, and Columbia, MO. He replaces BERT RUDMAN who left after the May book after three years as ND.
Barnd
And we have an update on a newnews director whose name we did not know when we reported that job has been filled. JEFF BARND is the new ND at WABG/WXVT/WNBD/WABG-DT in Greenville, MS. That Cala Broadcasting operation is affiliated with all FOUR major networks. Jeff’s been an anchor in Boston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia, worked as a National Correspondent for Sinclair in Washington D.C., and most recently was news director for Arlington Public News in Arlington, VA.
New News Director Openings:
To my knowledge, there are no new news director openings this week.
But we do have an update on an opening we first reported last week. We told you that RON KELLER had left KION-TV in Salinas/Monterey, CA. What we did not know then…and can share now…is that Ron’s headed to KVVU-TV (Meredith/FOX) in Las Vegas as executive producer.
KION is advertising for Ron’s replacement below, and we have a new ad this week from WCAU-TV in Philadelphia for its VP of News opening.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
Vice President of News, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:
Given the events happening in our world, local news is more vital than ever. It informs our community and helps people when other avenues for assistance are blocked. Which means the person leading a local newsroom must have vision, integrity, and an innovative spirit.
That’s who we’re looking for at NBC 10/Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia to become the stations’ next Vice President of News.
This NBC Owned Television Station seeks a dynamic and experienced news leader to guide its newsroom as it serves the tri-state area. Whether it’s breaking news at the top or an investigative piece diving deep into a local issue, this person will elevate the entire team to create compelling content and impactful engagement across linear and digital platforms.
We need someone who values storytelling and understands that Investigative, Weather, Breaking News, and Consumer stories help define our brand promise to our viewers, users and employees.
And, it doesn’t hurt that the station is located in the state-of-the-art Comcast Technology Center which features the most dynamic digital technology in the industry.
If you’re passionate about local journalism, have experience running a forward-thinking newsroom and leading a team of dedicated journalists – consider applying to be our next Vice President of News at the link below.
News Director, KION-TV, Monterey/Salinas, CA:
KION News Channel 5, located in beautiful Monterey County, California, is seeking an extraordinary journalist to lead a growing news team. In addition, to CBS we produce news daily on CW and Telemundo.
Our News Director will be a visionary coach who understands how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skillset to maximize content and customer engagement on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.
The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long-range planning, special news coverage and station projects.
Applicants should be prepared to discuss:
Previous experience
Creative approaches to building and innovating news brand
Digital and social strategies
Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources
KION was acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company in December 2013, and has recently made significant capital investments to build a strong local news organization.
Candidate must pass a drug test and background check. A valid driver’s license is required.
Please apply online by submitting brief cover letter that includes resume, and source of referral. Just click here.
Faculty Position, Washington & Lee University, Lexington, VA:
Considering a mid-career change? Why not move from newsroom to classroom in one of the best small university journalism programs in the country? We have sharp students and the tools to teach them. We just need you.
The Department of Journalism and Mass Communications at Washington and Lee University seeks a versatile colleague for a tenure-track position at the rank of assistant or associate professor with teaching and scholarly or creative interests in digital storytelling and/or journalism.
Our department is committed to preparing our students for global communications by creating an educational environment that values diverse people and their ideas.
Learn more about our department here .
Our new colleague will be expected to teach undergraduate courses for both journalism and strategic communication majors to prepare them to communicate with a variety of audiences.
Likely courses will include Introduction to News Writing and Introduction to Digital Journalism, as well as specialty courses in the candidate’s areas of expertise. Experience with audio, video, or data analysis and visualization is preferred.
Candidates should have substantial professional experience in journalism and/or public relations, including expertise with audio and video. A Ph.D. in mass communications or a related field and teaching at the college level are desirable. Candidates with a master’s degree in journalism and mass communications and significant professional experience are also welcome to apply.
The application deadline is October 1, 2020. The appointment begins July 1, 2021.
Washington and Lee is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
WJZY-TV, Charlotte, NC (listed 9/13/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 7/19/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/6/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 8/23/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (listed 8/9/20)
WIS-TV, Columbia, SC (listed 8/2/20)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (new listing this week)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (2 jobs, EP & Digital EP, listing revised 8/30/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 8/9/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital EP, listed 8/9/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (new listing this week)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (new listing this week)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted 8/9/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 8/23/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (new listing this week)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, listed 8/16/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/16/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (listed 8/2/20)
MANAGING EDITOR:
WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 8/16/20)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 9/6/20
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)
Relisted 9/6/20
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)
Listed 8/23/20:
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)
Relisted 8-16-20:
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)
Listed 8/9/16:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (Digital Media Manager)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)
Names in the News (and other items):
Two retirements to share, one ‘new’ news and the other a followup on something we first told you about a few months ago.
Woelfel
Longtime Missouri professor STACEY WOELFEL has announced his retirement, effective next August 31. He’s been at Missouri for 35 years, most of them as ND for KOMU-TV, and, most recently, as head of the documentary program. Here’s his complete bio from the Missouri website. Click here to read a note Stacey sent me, looking back at his career at his alma mater, as well as to what lies ahead.
Linn
TED LINN, longtime news director for Nexstar’s WANE-TV in Ft. Wayne, left the station September 13th after 16 years as ND for this CBS affiliate. We told you in June that Ted was retiring this month around the time of his 66th birthday. The station paid him proper tribute on his final day with this story on its website. Be sure to check the snazzy (and perhaps stylish at the time!) sport coat in the print ad the station dug up from Ted’s first job.
General Manager News and Notes:
Morris
Another former news director takes her second GM job, this time in a top 15 market. KATE MORRIS will be the next GM for Tegna’s KPNX-TV (NBC) in Phoenix at the a week from tomorrow (Monday, 9/28). She’s currently the GM for Tegna’s KTVB-TV in Boise, a job to which she was promoted from ND in 2018. Learn more about Kate and her new job in this news release, where you will also learn that Tegna’s RICHARD DYER has been promoted to Senior VP with additional responsibilities. He’ll remain GM for WUSA-TV (CBS) in Washington.
Remes
Meanwhile, a longtime Tegna General Manager will retire at the end of this year, after a 24 year run at one of the company’s NBC affiliates. JOHN REMES will leave KARE-TV in Minneapolis-St,. Paul. More details in this story from the Star-Tribune in Minneapolis.
Nexstar named TWO new GMs’s this week:
TINA MARIE CASTANO will run the company’s operations in Elmira, NY. She’s been the GM for WLNE-TV (Standard Media/ABC) in Providence, RI.
And, following Nexstar’s acquisition of FOX affiliate WDKY-TV in Lexington, KY, the company named MONTE COSTES as its GM.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, September 20, 2020:
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
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (see ad above!)
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KIRO-TV 2807 Third Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
WTVJ-TV 15000 SW 27th Street Miramar, FL 33027
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WISN-TV 759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WATN/WLMT-TV 1725 N Shelby Oaks Dr. #101, Memphis, TN 38133
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
KXXV-TV 1909 S New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
KTSM-TV 3801-D Constitution El Paso, Texas 79922
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee, FL 32309
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905 (see ad above!)
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
WLFI-TV 2605 Yeager Rd. West Lafayette, IN 47906
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001
**: Spanish language station