Rick Gevers & Associates

May 30, 2015

Thursday, June 4, 2015 UPDATE:

Comings

A series of layoffs Wednesday at KLAS-TV (Las Vegas) left a number of people without jobs, including veteran News Director RON COMINGS.

Ron’s been the ND at this newly-acquired-by-Nexstar CBS affiliate for more than nine years. He’s also run newsrooms in Sacramento and Honolulu.

He began his career as a reporter, working in Minneapolis and in Florida, where he reported a very famous story. Click here.

I’m in Philadelphia for the IRE Conference. I hope to see many of you here.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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Monday, June 1, 2015 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Gilchriest

Congratulations to WAVY-TV (Norfolk, VA) News Director JIM GILCHRIEST who’s headed to Nashville to become ND for Meredith’s WSMV-TV, the NBC affiliate there. Jim told me he’ll start in Nashville later this month.

Jim’s been the ND at WAVY, also an NBC affiliate, for the past four years. He also spent four years as an ND for KTVB-TV in Boise. Jim earlier had held a variety of roles at WCNC-TV in Charlotte, eventually rising to Assistant News Director. He’d also been an AND at WXII-TV in Winston-Salem, and worked for two stations in Rochester, NY. He began his career in radio news.

At WSMV, he replaces MATTHEW HILK who left in April after more than eight years as ND.

Valet

One other item: Former ND turned GM SKIP VALET is leaving his job as GM for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. He’s been GM here for 6+ years.  Skip’s a former ND for sister Graham Media (formerly Post-Newsweek) stations in Jacksonville and Houston, in addition to having been the ND at WKMG earlier in his career. Full disclosure: I hired Skip as a production assistant at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville in 1982.

His full career history is here.

More on both these stories in our full newsletter later this week. Our distribution may be delayed by my attendance at IRE in Philadelphia. I hope to see many of you there.

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

Just ONE new news director in this week’s report, as a veteran newsman returns to his hometown and former station as ND. That brings our count of open ND jobs to 29.

ONE of those openings in featured in a rare display Help Wanted ad, along with an ad for a GM job in the Upper Midwest.

There are FOUR obituaries this week, TWO of former NDs, and TWO of close family members of current industry veterans.

And there are a few items in both Names in the News and GMs on the Move.

But first, take a moment to check out this paid ad from the Carole Kneeland Project.

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now

You don’t want to miss this opportunity. Apply today!

The Kneeland Project is accepting applications for their September 9-12 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due Friday, June 19 and applications are available here.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected news directors. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.

In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career, and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.

This fall’s participants will be joined by some of the best and brightest leaders in the industry, but they won’t provide didactic, one-way lectures. On the contrary. Kneeland is seeking applications from news directors with high-level expertise, insight, and experience to make this a truly unique opportunity. It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results.

Click here for more information and to apply. . Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program. Apply today!

New News Director Openings:

None that I know of.  If you know of any, please email me: rick@rickgevers.com

Newly Named News Directors:

Esparros

WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA…Nawlins native KEITH ESPARROS returns home and to WWL as News Director at this Gannett station. (The newspaper story is here). Keith spent eleven years as an EP for this CBS affiliate before moving to California in 1991 for jobs in San Diego and Los Angeles. He returned to New Orleans for a six year stint as ND at WVUE-TV, before returning west as Assistant ND for KNBC-TV. He later became Senior Manager of the Investigative and Consumer Unit, a job he left last November. At WWL, he replaces BILL SIEGEL who left in January to become a Director of News Strategy for Scripps.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

General Manager, WISC-TV, Madison, WI:

Morgan Murphy Media is seeking an experienced broadcasting professional for an exciting GM opportunity to lead its broadcast, digital, and print operations in Madison, Wisconsin. The GM will have full oversight of our highly respected and successful Television Wisconsin, Inc. operation which includes WISC-TV (CBS), TVW (MyNetworkTV), channel3000.com, and our monthly city/regional print publication, Madison Magazine. This is a unique opportunity to join a thriving, privately held broadcast group with state-of-the-art broadcast and digital facilities and an experienced, dedicated, talented staff.

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate prior results in a broadcast leadership role, will have strong interpersonal skills, and experience directing department heads. We are recruiting someone with a track-record of success and a broad range of experience in all areas of station operations with a focus on sales growth and an emphasis on local programming.

We expect our GM to reflect, embrace, and promote our core values of family and community and to be a visible role model to the employees and to the communities we serve. We are looking for a steward of the company, who is engaging and energetic, and will be able to capitalize on the potential of our news, programming, and sales operations with a positive impact on our employees, our advertisers, and our community.

Send resume and salary requirements to:

Morgan Murphy Media
Attn.: HR – General Manager
7025 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53719

Email hr@wisctv.com – Visit our website at www.channel3000.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/5/15)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 4/12/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 4/12/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 5/24/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, new listing this week)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, revised 5/3/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 4/12/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, listed 5/10/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (2 openings, AM & Dayside, listed 3/29/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 4/12/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 5/24/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 5/24/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 4/26/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/12/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)

Obituaries:

We told you Wednesday that MARSELIS ‘DIV’ PARSONS lost his battle with cancer at the age of 70. ‘Div’ was the longtime ND and anchor for WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT. The station remembered him here (and has greatly expanded the tribute…if you checked it Wednesday you might revisit it.) I received a dozen or so emails from readers who all referred to him as a gentleman, which he was. ‘Div’ is survived by his wife and daughter.

LARRY ALLAN (HEUGLI), a newsman and news director who worked at stations in Waterloo, IA, Las Vegas, and Tucson, among others, died May 24 at the age of 74. Larry was a 1983 winner of the JACK SHELLEY award given by the Iowa Broadcasters. More in this obituary.

Our sympathy to two longtime industry vets who suffered a very personal loss this week.

JOEL CRAWFORD, son of Frank Magid VP BOB CRAWFORD, died Monday from injuries suffered in an ATV accident in Missouri. He was a passenger on an ATV which overturned on May 22. Joel was 26, a teacher in Denver, and an organ donor. Click here for the full obituary. And click here to send a kind note to Bob.

And best wishes to old friend KEITH CONNORS on the loss of his mother, MARGARET CONNORS, who died in her sleep Tuesday at the age of 86. The obit is here. Keith is currently the ND at WTNH-TV in New Haven/Hartford, and has been an ND in Indianapolis, Houston, Charlotte, Norfolk, and Rochester, NY. He’s also worked in Nashville and Toledo, where we worked together. In addition to Keith, his mom is survived by two other sons and two daughters. You can send condolences to Keith by clicking here.

Names in the News…and other things:

WILL DILLARD moves within Hearst to become the new Assistant News Director at the company’s WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA. He’s been the Assignment Manager at WPBF-TV in West Palm Beach, another Hearst station. Will’s also worked in Miami.

SHELLEY TRIOL, who’s worked as a news manager at two Indianapolis stations, has been named Communications Director for embattled Indiana Governor MIKE PENCE. More in this story. She’s been working in a variety of PR positions for the last ten years.

General Manager News:

Another busy week for GM changes.

BOB McGANN, who’s been the GM for KENS-TV in San Antonio for 18 years, has announced his retirement at the year of the year. He’s also been a GM at WBBM-TV in Chicago and WCCO-TV in Minneapolis.

KTXL-TV (Sacramento) GM JERRY DEL CORE is out after five years running this Tribune owned FOX affiliate. In an email to the staff, he bluntly said his boss told me “she wanted to make a change”.

GENE STEINBERG is the new GM for KMIR-TV in Palm Springs, CA. He previously ran KMIZ-TV in Columbia, MO. At KMIR, he replaces CRAIG MARRS, a former ND and Magid consultant.

Finally, Nexstar has named SANDRA ZOLDOWSKI as GM of its Grand Junction cluster which includes CBS Affiliate KREX-TV. She’s been the GM of Nexstar’s KSVI-KHMT-TV in Billings, MT.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Saturday, May 30, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178 *
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Rd. Nashville TN 37209
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WFXR-TV 2618 Colonial Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24015
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KTSM-TV 801 N. Oregon St. El Paso, TX 79902
WTOC-TV 11 News Place Savannah GA 31405
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801 (see ad above!)
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

May 24, 2015

Wednesday, May 27, 2015 UPDATE:

Marselis Parsons – 1944-2015

I’m saddened to tell you of the passing of one of the true gentlemen of our business, MARSELIS ‘DIV’ PARSONS, who died this morning of cancer at the age of 70.  He is survived by his wife and daughter.

‘Div’ (and no one knows how he got the nickname) was the longtime news director and anchor for WCAX-TV in Burlington, VT, before retiring in 2009. Today, his former station remembers him here.

He was a fixture at RTDNA conventions and always fun to catch up with.

Div had shared the news of his cancer battle with me about a month ago, so naturally I was concerned when I received this ‘out of office’ email response to the most recent newsletter:

I sincerely appreciate your email and I am always happy to hear from you, however I am unable to respond to your messages.

Sincerely,
Marselis Parsons

A gentleman to the end. RIP.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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Congratulations to Indy 500 Winner Juan Pablo Montoya!

Greetings:

I hope you had a great holiday.

Our holiday edition brings you news of TWO new News Directors, TWO new ND openings, and THREE paid ads, including an ad for a General Manager’s position at a well regarded station in the Upper Midwest.

The ND changes leave our count of openings at 30. Two of those openings are featured in ads below, including a rare display ad.

Just TWO items in Names in the News, but SIX GM changes, four in the same company.

Spend a few minutes of your holiday weekend by learning more below!

New News Director Openings:

KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX…we told you in April 12th edition that REY CHAVEZ was returning to KTSM as ND. 30 years ago he was a director there. He’s already left the station, though I don’t know the particulars of his departure. Of course, it may have something to do with a GM change (more on that in our GM Notes section below.)

KTMF/KWYB-TV, Missoula, MT…this Cowles owned ABC/FOX is looking for a new news director to replace the late KAYLEE SCOLATTI. Please check out the station’s display ad below for details about this opportunity.

Newly Named News Directors:

Wittenborg

KSTP-TV, Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN…congratulations to ANNE WITTENBORG who’s been promoted to News Director for this Hubbard-owned ABC affiliate. Click here for more. She first joined the station in 2000 as a producer, left for a job at a production company for three years, and then returned in 2008 as Executive Producer. Anne was later promoted to Managing Editor, then Assistant News Director in 2013. She earlier worked in Eau Claire and Madison. Anne’s been the Acting ND since LINDSAY RADFORD left to become ND for KMGH-TV in Denver. Lindsay was ND here for seven years.

White

WOWK-TV, Huntington/Charleston, WV…apparently we’re REALLY late in reporting that KEN WHITE is the new news director for this West Virginia Media owned CBS affiliate. He’s been there since January (Ken: Why didn’t you let me know? 🙂 ). Ken spent 14 years as ND for WCCB-TV in Charlotte before leaving in 2013. He’s been working in radio and public relations since then. Ken replaces ELLEN MILLER who left the station last fall after nine months as ND.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

General Manager, WISC-TV, Madison, WI:

Morgan Murphy Media is seeking an experienced broadcasting professional for an exciting GM opportunity to lead its broadcast, digital, and print operations in Madison, Wisconsin. The GM will have full oversight of our highly respected and successful Television Wisconsin, Inc. operation which includes WISC-TV (CBS), TVW (MyNetworkTV), channel3000.com, and our monthly city/regional print publication, Madison Magazine. This is a unique opportunity to join a thriving, privately held broadcast group with state-of-the-art broadcast and digital facilities and an experienced, dedicated, talented staff.

Our ideal candidate will be able to demonstrate prior results in a broadcast leadership role, will have strong interpersonal skills, and experience directing department heads. We are recruiting someone with a track-record of success and a broad range of experience in all areas of station operations with a focus on sales growth and an emphasis on local programming.

We expect our GM to reflect, embrace, and promote our core values of family and community and to be a visible role model to the employees and to the communities we serve. We are looking for a steward of the company, who is engaging and energetic, and will be able to capitalize on the potential of our news, programming, and sales operations with a positive impact on our employees, our advertisers, and our community.

Send resume and salary requirements to:

Morgan Murphy Media
Attn.: HR – General Manager
7025 Raymond Road
Madison, WI 53719

Email hr@wisctv.com – Visit our website at www.channel3000.com

Equal Opportunity Employer

News Director, WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC:

ABC11/WTVD, the ABC owned station in Raleigh-Durham, NC, is seeking a strategic, driven, collaborative and innovative News Director to lead a dynamic multi-platform newsroom. Candidate must have great journalistic skills, be nimble in identifying and moving on opportunities, and be a real team player both inside and outside of the station. Candidate must also be a skilled manager who can develop talent, lead a positive workplace, and inspire others to create unique, compelling and quality content. Other qualities include:

Demonstrated ability to turn research into actionable results, and to creatively evolve the news presentation, particularly as new technologies emerge.
A track record of developing breaking news and investigative strategies.
Experience in fiscal management, including the ability to reallocate resources as new technologies emerge.
An aptitude for regular feedback loops that foster daily emphasis on excellence in coverage and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards.

Responsibilities include defining the news strategy and brand vision, managing content across all platforms, and driving ratings and digital growth. Previous experience as a News Director or high level News Manager is required. Position reports to the President and General Manager. Candidates should include a cover letter with resume that addresses relevant skills/experience. Materials should be sent to Andrea Epps, Executive Assistant, ABC11/WTVD, 411 Liberty St., Durham, NC 27701.

Please ALSO apply for the position online, by logging on to https://disneycareers.com and search for the job title News Director, Req. ID# 272324BR, create a candidate profile and UPLOAD YOUR RESUME PROFILE.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/5/15)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 4/12/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 4/12/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/29/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted this week)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, revised 5/3/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 4/12/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, listed 5/10/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, listed 3/29/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (2 openings, AM & Dayside, listed 3/29/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 4/12/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted this week)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted this week)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 4/26/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 3/29/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/12/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted this week)

Names in the News…and other things:

Congratulations to old friend TOM BIER who’s retiring from WISC-TV in Madison, WI, after 41 years of service. He’s been the GM there since November, 2011, station manager before that, and was the ND for 23 years. Tom served one term as Chair of RTNDA. The station is advertising its search for his replacement above.

One note. Last week, in reporting MATT MILLER‘s move to Albany as ND for WTEN-TV, I told you that the man he was replacing, DAVE CILIBERTI, had moved to Columbus, OH, but I told you the wrong station. Dave’s the new ND at WCMH-TV. Apologies.

General Manager News:

There were a lot of GM changes this week. Four of them were at Nexstar stations:

DAVID CANDELARIA is now the GM at KTSM-TV in El Paso, TX (as noted above).

After 15 years as director of sales, STEPHEN FRIEFELD is the new GM for WJET-TV in Erie, PA.

At KARD-TV in Monroe, LA, RANDY STONE has been promoted.

And another promotion finds WILLIAM EVANS taking over at WSYR-TV in Syracuse.

In Columbus, GA, CRISTINE COULDRIDGE is the new GM for WXTX-TV. The station is owned by American Spirit Media but operated by Raycom under a shared services agreement.

R.J. MERRITT replaces JAIME AITKEN as GM of KREM-TV in Spokane. He’s a 15 year veteran of this Gannett owned station.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, May 24, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178 *
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701 (see ad above!)
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Rd. Nashville TN 37209
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans LA 70116
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WFXR-TV 2618 Colonial Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24015
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
KTSM-TV 801 N. Oregon St. El Paso, TX 79902
WTOC-TV 11 News Place Savannah GA 31405
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801 (See ad above!)
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

May 17, 2015

Greetings:

You’d think the rating period was already over, given the FOUR new ND openings we have in this week’s report. And there’s just ONE new ND to tell you about, so that leaves our count of open ND jobs at 30.

ONE of those openings (at a network o-and-o!) is featured in one of our TWO paid help wanted ads this week. You’ll also note a new ad below from RTDNA, touting an upcoming webinar on ethics.

There’s a lot of items in Names in the News, and there are FOUR obituaries to share.

All this and much more as you read on….

New News Director Openings:

Schiller

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA…we first told you Friday afternoon that SUSAN SCHILLER‘s 40 year career working for CBS will come to an end next month when she leaves her job as ND for this o-and-o. Susan’s been at KYW for 14 years, has worked for several other CBS o-and-o’s, and also spent time as a network producer in New York. Her note to the staff can be found here, and her entire bio is here, posted last year when Susan was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame.

Hoyt

WTOL/WUPW-TV, Toledo, OH…CJ HOYT will leave this Raycom owned CBS/FOX duopoly by the end of June. Here’s the memo he sent to his staff, which explains the reason for his departure. He’s been ND here for almost four years, and came from another Raycom station, WFIE-TV in Evansville, IN, where he spent 3 + years as ND. CJ’s also been a news director in Layfatette, LA, and has worked in Knoxville, Greenville, SC, and Lincoln, NE.

Maliska

WGXA-TV, Macon, GA…GAVIN MALISKA has left this FOX affiliate after more than three years as ND. The station is now owned by Sinclair, which purchased it last year from Frontier Broadcasting. Gavin’s came to Macon to work with the GM there, BECKY SWAN: they’d worked together in Missoula, MT where Gavin spent a year as ND. He’s also been an ND in Orlando, Indianapolis, and Panama City, and worked for FOX o-and-o’s in Chicago and Detroit.

Eaton

WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA…SAM EATON has resigned as news director for this Media General owned CBS affiliate. He’d been the ND here for just over a year. Sam was an assistant news director in Augusta, GA, a producer in Charlotte and Columbia, SC, and worked as a reporter in Lynchburg and Midland, TX. His replacement will be the fifth ND in five years here.

Newly Named News Directors:

Miller

WTEN/WXXA-TV, Albany, NY…MATT MILLER returns to the ND chair as he takes over at this Media General owned ABC/FOX duopoly. He’s currently the Senior Executive Producer for WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH. He’ll have spent one year in Columbus when he leaves at the end of June. Ironically, the man he replaces in Albany is DAVE CILIBERTI, who left Albany to move to Columbus to be ND at WCMH-TV there. Matt’s a former ND in Cincinnati (where he’s worked at all four stations.) He also started a news department in Myrtle Beach and worked as an anchor/reporter in Macon, GA, and spent two years in PR.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WTVD-TV, Raleigh/Durham, NC:

ABC11/WTVD, the ABC owned station in Raleigh-Durham, NC, is seeking a strategic, driven, collaborative and innovative News Director to lead a dynamic multi-platform newsroom. Candidate must have great journalistic skills, be nimble in identifying and moving on opportunities, and be a real team player both inside and outside of the station. Candidate must also be a skilled manager who can develop talent, lead a positive workplace, and inspire others to create unique, compelling and quality content. Other qualities include:

Demonstrated ability to turn research into actionable results, and to creatively evolve the news presentation, particularly as new technologies emerge.
A track record of developing breaking news and investigative strategies.
Experience in fiscal management, including the ability to reallocate resources as new technologies emerge.
An aptitude for regular feedback loops that foster daily emphasis on excellence in coverage and maintenance of the highest journalistic standards.

Responsibilities include defining the news strategy and brand vision, managing content across all platforms, and driving ratings and digital growth. Previous experience as a News Director or high level News Manager is required. Position reports to the President and General Manager. Candidates should include a cover letter with resume that addresses relevant skills/experience. Materials should be sent to Andrea Epps, Executive Assistant, ABC11/WTVD, 411 Liberty St., Durham, NC 27701.

Please ALSO apply for the position online, by logging on to https://disneycareers.com and search for the job title News Director, Req. ID# 272324BR, create a candidate profile and UPLOAD YOUR RESUME PROFILE.

Equal Opportunity Employer – Female/Minority/Veteran/Disability

Assistant News Director, WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI:

CBS-58 News seeks an Assistant News Director ready to take a creative multi-platform driven approach to managing and leading the day to day operation of our newsroom.

Must bring a passion for advocacy and enterprise journalism, a desire to win breaking news and a clear understanding of how stories, technology and people come together. Individual needs 3-5 years of professional journalism experience with at least 3 years in a progressive management capacity with experience managing in a multiplatform environment.

Candidate must have excellent news judgment and a clear understanding of journalistic ethics and laws that impact all of our platforms for delivering news to our viewers and users. Must also have high standards for quality work, the ability to problem solve, to communicate and to work well under pressure. Must have demonstrated strong communication skills and a commitment to serving diverse audiences.

Email resume to ccamps@cbs58.com or mail to:

CBS-58
HR-AND
809 S. 60th St.,
Milwaukee, WI 53214;

or fax to: 414-607-8189

EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 3/22/15)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/5/15)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 4/12/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15, see ad above!)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 4/12/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/29/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 3/22/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, revised 5/3/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 3/22/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted this week)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 4/12/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, listed 5/10/15)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, listed 3/29/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (2 openings, AM & Dayside, listed 3/29/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 4/12/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 3/22/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 3/22/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 4/26/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 3/29/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/12/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 3/22/15)

Obituaries:

ED FOUHY, a longtime network news executive who worked at three network news divisions, died this week at the age of 80. The New York Times reported on his death here.

PAM TAYLOR, who was President and COO of LocalTV before Tribune bought the company, died last Monday of cancer at the age of 60. She’s survived by her husband and two daughters. Her obituary is here. Tribune CEO PETER LIGUORI sent this note to Tribune stations.

Longtime Shreveport newsman CRAIG DURRETT, who spent the last three years of his career as the Assistant News Director at KTBS-TV, died this week at the age of 60.  The station reported on his passing here.

I’m sorry to tell you that FRANK SEHRT, father of longtime CBS News Executive THERESE DUKE, died this week in New Orleans after a short battle with cancer. He was 87. In addition to Therese, he’s survived by his wife of 63 (!) years, GLORIA, and five other children, eleven grandchildren, and four great-grand children. Click here to read the full obituary. Many of you know Therese ,who spent more than ten years at CBS, much of that time working with affiliates along with her husband JOE.  She also worked at WWL-TV in New Orleans.  A note of sympathy would reach Therese at: trezzyduke@gmail.com.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Curtis

Well, that didn’t take long. Last week, we told you that KEN CURTIS had left WDHN-TV in Dothan, AL, after 26 years as news director. He’s already back to work as the Senior Reporter for cross-town rival WTVY-TV. See his new bio here.

TOM DUERR returns to Texas as an EP for NBC’s KXAS-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth. He’d been working as an EP for KYW-TV in Philadelphia, but previously was a producer at KTVT-TV in Dallas. He’s also worked in Washington, DC, and Buffalo.

We have two stations that have named two new news managers.

At KXTV in Sacramento, STEVE MALAVE‘s been hired to be the morning Executive Producer. And ADAM SILBER, a producer at this ABC affiliate, has been promoted to Dayside EP.

And there are two new managers at WGHP-TV in Greenboro/High-Point. BERVETTE CARREE joins the station as the AM EP. She’d been working for Headline News. And MARGARET KREGER was promoted to be the PM EP from her job as a producer.

Longtime broadcaster MARK ANTONITIS is the new GM for KTSF-TV, an Asian independent station in San Francisco. Earlier in his career Mark served as GM for KRON-TV in San Francisco. Most recently, he’s been running Petra Placement with his wife, SONJA. She’ll continue to run the business. Mark’s complete bio is here.

General Manager News:

AUDRA SWAIN, who’s been the GM for Sinclair’s CW and MyTV affiliates in Las Vegas, has added KSNV-TV to her duties. Sinclair recently purchased that NBC affiliate.

PETER NOLL is the new GM for Scripps’ KERO-TV in Bakersfield, CA. It’s a return to Scripps for Peter, as you’ll learn by clicking here.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, May 17, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave. St. Paul MN 55114
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701 (see ad above!)
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Rd. Nashville TN 37209
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans LA 70116
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WFXR-TV 2618 Colonial Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24015
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WTOC-TV 11 News Place Savannah GA 31405
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
WGXA-TV 599 Martin Luther King Blvd. Macon GA 31201
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WRBL-TV 1350 13th Ave. Columbus GA 31901
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

May 10, 2015

Friday, May 15, 2015 UPDATE:

Schiller

SUSAN SCHILLER, who’s been the News Director for CBS’s KYW-TV in Philadelphia for 14 years, will leave the station in the next few weeks. A memo sent to the other CBS o-and-o news directors says she wants to ‘smell the roses’.

She’s spent almost 40 years working for CBS in a wide variety of roles, ranging from positions at several CBS o-and-o’s to jobs as a producer at the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather. Her complete bio can be found here, posted when she was inducted into the Broadcast Pioneers of Philadelphia Hall of Fame last year.

We’ll have more on this story…and all the week’s news…in our full newsletter over the weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

**** ***** ****
Greetings:

Scolatti

We have more details on the double-murder-suicide which took the life of KTMF/KWYB-TV (Missoula, MT) News Director KALEE SCOLATTI, a family friend, T.J. DUPRAS, and her estranged husband, earlier this week.

Click here for the details.

That story also tells you about funds set up for Kalee’s three daughters and T.J.’s two sons.

Our sympathy to all involved, including the staff at KTMF/KWYB.

Turning to our normal subjects, there are THREE new ND’s to tell you about this week, along with THREE new ND openings. Those changes leave our count of open ND jobs at 27.

We have ONE paid ad this week, for an Assistant ND position in Milwaukee…an opening created by a promotion that filled one of the above-mentioned ND jobs.

There are lots of items in Names in the News, including job changes for a former CBS News executive and a one-time Boston News Director.

All that…and more…below.

New News Director Openings:

WTVD-TV, Durham, NC…as we told you earlier this week, ROB ELMORE is being promoted to ND of sister ABC o-and-o KABC-TV in Los Angeles. More on that below. Rob spent 17 years as ND here!

Curtis

WDHN-TV, Dothan, AL…after more than 30 years in the business, KEN CURTIS has left this Nexstar-owned ABC affiliate. He’s been the News Director here for 26 years. Click here for a story the station posted on its website.

Delgado

KGNS-TV, Laredo, TX…DAN DELGADO has left this NBC affiliate after about a year and a half as news director. Dan’s previously spent six years as an ND in Tyler, TX. KGNS is owned by Gray Television.

Newly Named News Directors:

Elmore

KABC-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we told you earlier this week that ROB ELMORE has been named ND for this ABC o-and-o. Rob’s spent the last 17 years as the ND for sister ABC o-and-o WTVD-TV in Raleigh/Durham, NC. He’s also been an ND in Rochester, NY, where he worked at two different stations. Rob spent three years as a producer in Nashville. At KABC, he’ll replace…and report to…CHERYL FAIR, who was promoted from ND to GM earlier this year. Cheryl was ND here for 20 years.

D’Astoli

Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL…SUSAN D’ASTOLI is on the job as the new ND for this cable news operation. She most recently was the ND for KJRH-TV, the Scripps owned NBC affiliate in Tulsa. Susan also worked for Scripps in Tampa and Phoenix, and spent 12 years at WSB-TV in Atlanta. In Orlando. she is replacing TIM GERAGHTY who left this operation in January after almost three years.

Davis

WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI…TRACY DAVIS has been promoted to news director for this Weigel Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate. She’s been the Assistant ND here for almost two years, and the interim ND since GENIE GARNER left the station earlier this year. More in this post, including the memo to the staff. Tracy spent two years as ND for WFFF/WVNY-TV in Burlington, VT, and worked there for four years as a News Manager before being promoted. She’s also worked in Lafayette, IN. Genie was ND here for about 2 1/2 years.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director, WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI:

CBS-58 News seeks an Assistant News Director ready to take a creative multi-platform driven approach to managing and leading the day to day operation of our newsroom.

Must bring a passion for advocacy and enterprise journalism, a desire to win breaking news and a clear understanding of how stories, technology and people come together. Individual needs 3-5 years of professional journalism experience with at least 3 years in a progressive management capacity with experience managing in a multiplatform environment.

Candidate must have excellent news judgment and a clear understanding of journalistic ethics and laws that impact all of our platforms for delivering news to our viewers and users. Must also have high standards for quality work, the ability to problem solve, to communicate and to work well under pressure. Must have demonstrated strong communication skills and a commitment to serving diverse audiences.

Email resume to ccamps@cbs58.com or mail to:

CBS-58
HR-AND
809 S. 60th St.,
Milwaukee, WI 53214;

or fax to: 414-607-8189

EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA (relisted 3/22/15)
KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 4/5/15)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 4/12/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (new listing this week)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (listed 4/12/15)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 3/29/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 3/22/15)
KXAS-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (listed 3/1/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Projects & show EP, revised 5/3/15)
KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (relisted 3/22/15)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 3/14/15)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (2 openings, relisted 3/14/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, listed 4/12/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (Special Projects EP, listed 3/29/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (2 openings, AM & Dayside, listed 3/29/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (relisted 4/12/15)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 3/22/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (relisted 3/22/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 4/26/15)
Central Florida News 13, Orlando, FL (relisted 3/29/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (new listing this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WMAQ-TV, Chicago, IL (listed 4/12/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 3/22/15)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are out of work and looking for a new opportunity. If you’d like to state your case to a well targeted audience, email me an item (max. 150 words). You may include a link to a website, an email address, and a photo. You must include your name. I’ll run it for one week. I don’t represent or endorse those listed, but merely trying to help.

Names in the News…and other things:

Two management changes at Media General’s WTNH-TV in Hartford/New Haven. LAURA REYNOLDS has been promoted to EP for this ABC affiliate. She has been the 5:00 producer there. And NANCY LYNCH has been hired as Managing Editor. She most recently held the same title at aol.com, and previously worked for many years at WHDH-TV in Boston.

MATT McCLAIN returns to his first TV station, WFRV-TV in Green Bay, as Executive Producer. He began his career there as a producer. In between, he’s worked in South Bend, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis.

WDTN-TV in Dayton has promoted PAUL RODZINKA to be the station’s new Digital Executive Producer. He’s been a photojournalist for this Media General owned NBC affiliate.

McGinnis

MARCY McGINNIS has left Al Jazeera America after about two years there. Her departure comes during a time of some turmoil for the network. More here. Many of you know Marcy from her many years with CBS News.

Longtime newsman AL PRIMO recently was interviewed on a program airing on WTNH-TV in New Haven, and talked about his role in founding Eyewitness News. Here’s a link.

Brown

One time WBZ-TV (Boston) News Director PETER BROWN has launched his own company, Peter Brown Communications. Peter spent 22 years at WBZ, the last ten as ND before leaving in 2004 for a job as an executive with a local hospital. He also worked in Philadelphia and Providence.

General Manager News:

Harris

RIC HARRIS is moving up with NBC. He’s been named the next General Manager for WCAU-TV in Philadelphia. Ric is currently the GM of NBC’s WVIT-TV in Hartford. Earlier in his career he was the GM for WEWS-TV in Cleveland, and he’s also served as the Executive Vice President and General Manager of Digital Media and Strategic Marketing for NBC Owned Television Stations.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, May 10, 2015.

If you know of any additions/deletions/updates, please email me at: rick@rickgevers.com

KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KSTP-TV 3415 University Ave. St. Paul MN 55114
WLTV 9405 NW 41st St. Miami FL 33178
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Rd. Nashville TN 37209
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KUTV 299 S. Main St. #150 Salt Lake City UT 84111
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
WWL-TV 1024 North Rampart St. New Orleans LA 70116
WTEN-TV 341 Northern Blvd. Albany NY 12204
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave. Huntington WV 25701
WFXR-TV 2618 Colonial Ave. S.W. Roanoke VA 24015
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WTOC-TV 11 News Place Savannah GA 31405
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
WFFT-TV 3707 Hillegas Rd. Ft. Wayne IN 46807
WPTA/WISE-TV 3401 Butler Rd Ft. Wayne, IN 46808
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 East Columbia MO 65201
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
WDHN-TV 5274 E. State Highway 52 East Dothan AL 36376
WHSV-TV 50 North Main St. Harrisonburg, VA 22802
KGNS-TV 120 W. Delmar Blvd. Laredo TX 78045
KMVT/KSVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd. North Twin Falls, ID 83301
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station