Rick Gevers & Associates

June 28, 2015

Wednesday, July 1, 2015 UPDATE:

A veteran newswoman moves back to the city where she attended high school (and began her career) and, now, gets her first news director’s job.

Frank

KELLY FRANK has been named Director of News and Digital Content for Dispatch Broadcasting’s WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH. That’s the CBS affiliate there.

Kelly is currently Senior Managing Editor, Broadcast, Digital, & Social at WGCL-TV in Atlanta, a job she began last December. She previously spent four years at CNN, and has also worked in Washington, Phoenix, Milwaukee, and at WCMH-TV in Columbus, where she began her career as a producer.

More on her career background…and her ties to Columbus (which include all-state honors!) in this memo to the staff from WBNS GM JOHN CARDENAS, himself a former WBNS news director.

More on this in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

It was nice to see a few old friends and meet a few for the first time this week in Las Vegas at the ProMax convention. If I missed you, hopefully we’ll connect down the road.

There are TWO new ND openings in this week’s report, and TWO ND jobs filled, so our count of ND openings remains at a higher-than-it’s been 35.

One of those open ND jobs is among the FOUR paid help wanted ads this week, including a new blind box ND ad…the first of those we’ve had in a while. And we have a new ad for a News Operations Manager job in a top 15 market.

We have the entire list of National Edward R. Morrow Award winners in our Names in the News segment, along with the retirement of a longtime Seattle news manager and some other management moves. And there’s a taker for our Situations Wanted section who’s offering his services if you need an interim ND.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

Diener

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we were the first to tell you on Wednesday that SCOTT DIENER was leaving this CBS o-and-o after five years as news director. Here’s the note he sent to his staff, and here’s his (now deleted) bio from the station website. Scott first joined CBS as the Assistant ND at KTVT-TV in Dallas, and was later promoted to ND there. He’s also been an ND in San Francisco, Phoenix, Cincinnati and Louisville, and has worked in Minneapolis and Columbia, MO. His departure leaves CBS with openings at two o-and-o’s in the top four markets (KYW-TV in Philadelphia being the other).

Kelly

WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC…KAREN KELLY has left this Media General owned CBS affiliate after almost three years as ND. She first joined the station in 1998 as a producer, was promoted that same year to EP, and then to Managing Editor in 2002. She became ND in October, 2012, when DAN CATES left to become a GM. Karen has also worked in Springfield, MO, and for another station in Spartanburg.

Newly Named News Directors:

Mendez

WNJU-TV, New York, NY…KAREN MENDEZ will be the next ND for this Telemundo owned station. Here’s the official news release from NBC.  She’s been the ND for another Telemundo owned station, KXTX-TV in Dallas for the last year, and earlier was ND for WFDC-TV, the Univision station in Washington, DC. At WNJU-TV, she replaces JOSE MORALES who resigned earlier this month after five years as news director.

Hancock

KMIZ-TV, Columbia, MO…CURTIS HANCOCK returns to Central Missouri and this ABC affiliate as a first time news director. He worked as an anchor/reporter here in the late 90’s while working on a master’s of journalism from the University of Missouri. He’s been working as an EP in Tulsa, and has also worked in Springfield, MO, and San Antonio, in addition to an earlier time in Tulsa. He replaces another CURTIS, CURTIS VARNS, who’s been promoted to GM for this News Press & Gazette owned station.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Blind Box News Director Ad, Top 50 market:

News Director in a beautiful Western Top 50 market.

Seeking a News Director to lead an experienced and success driven team.

We are a dominant station, nationally recognized, award-winning, and part of a major broadcasting group. We are seeking a dynamic visionary leader that is be able to foster a culture of enterprise reporting and produce compelling and distinctive content on all platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

We are searching for a strong leader who has experience demonstrating qualities such as:

Working with other department heads to establish and reach goals
Developing your staff through critiques, training and mentoring
Researching new trends and technological advances in news gathering and distribution
Developing and adhering to budgets
Exemplary oral and written communications skills

Quality drives our success and we are eager to have a proven leader join us and lead us on this quest. We are looking for long term players who love the quality of the West and it’s healthy lifestyles.

Minimum of 7 years’ experience in news management and proven track record in enterprising content and ratings success.

Please include your news philosophy along with your resume and cover letter when applying via email to: news6222015@gmail.com

News Operations Manager, KRPC-TV, Houston, TX:

KPRC TV Channel 2, the Graham Media Group owned – NBC affiliate in Houston, Texas is looking for an individual who thrives in a fast-paced environment with daily deadlines and changing priorities. The News Operations Manager is responsible for ensuring the superior quality of KPRC2 News video, audio and digital presentation. This individual is the technology guru of the newsroom, constantly correcting, evaluating and implementing digital newsgathering solutions.

Responsibilities:

-Provide strategic, logistical planning, and insight to upcoming events, special programs and/or elements to be included in news coverage.
-Lead, develop, and coordinate electronic and digital news gathering operations: video gathering, editing, remote broadcasts, microwave, SNG trucks and field shop maintenance.
-Provide technical guidance, training, and leadership for editorial and newsgathering personnel, including photographers, editors and others as assigned.
-Ensure necessary equipment is in place and in working order to support assigned employees.
-Oversee staffing and supervisory duties, including hiring, performance management, scheduling, and evaluation of photographers and editors.
-Mentor and develop news employees’ technology skills, especially in the use of digital and wireless tools.
-Work with News Director and Engineering Department to plan and manage the TV News operating and capital budgets. -Plan, supervise, and track operational expenditures.
-Budget, plan, and manage large remote broadcasts including breaking news and special events.
-Responsible for maintaining station disaster recovery procedures for News team.

To apply please send resume via email: rlavelle@kprc.com or mail to:

Rhonda LaVelle
News Director
KPRC-TV
8181 Southwest Freeway
Houston TX 77074

News Director, WCTV, Tallahassee, FL:

WCTV, the market’s dominant news station in Tallahassee, Florida is looking for a News Director to lead our award winning news team.

All candidates should have a degree in broadcast journalism or a related field and at least seven years of experience in a commercial television newsroom. News management experience is preferred to lead a staff of almost forty news professionals. Extensive knowledge of multi-platform content generation and delivery is crucial.

This highly organized individual creates and implements long range plans and sweeps strategies. The ideal candidate knows the importance of continual teaching and training and is passionate about local news.

Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida and home to Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

If you qualify, please email your resume to HR@wctv.tv or mail to:

WCTV Human Resources
1801 Halstead Boulevard
Tallahassee FL 32309

Must have clean driving record and drug screening required for employment.

Gray Television participates in E-Verify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Executive Producer, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:

KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver is looking for our next rock star Executive Producer to oversee the 3½ hours of news we produce on-air weekday evenings (5pm/9pm/10pm on KDVR and 7pm on KWGN).

We are looking for a strong leader who is aggressively competitive and creative, and who can help us continue to shake up the Denver market.

Our Executive Producers are responsible for managing all aspects of newscast content and play a vital role in our strategic plan to grow ratings and improve our on-air product in addition to digital platforms. Must have solid news judgment, be able to meet daily deadlines, work well under pressure, generate story and coverage ideas on a daily and long-term basis, manage a team of producers, and work with a large, diverse staff in a professional manner to ensure our content meets standards for editorial and technical integrity.

Excellent communication skills are required, as is prior management and major market producing experience.

Please apply by clicking here.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 6/14/15)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 6/21/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 6/14/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted 6/21/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 5/24/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 5/30/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, revised 5/3/15)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/21/15, see ad above!)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 6/14/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 6/14/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted this week)
KFSN-TV, Fresno, CA (AM EP, new listing this week)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 5/24/15)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 6/14/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 6/14/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA: (relisted 5/24/15)

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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.

Shelby

This week, meet JOHN SHELBY:

Looking for an interim news director while the search is on for a permanent replacement?

John Shelby, former news director and 23 year broadcast news veteran, will run your newsroom in every capacity while a methodical and comprehensive search for a permanent replacement is underway.

John’s experience has taken him from Washington State to New York State. He has worked in small and large market television stations including: WBBM-TV in Chicago, KTVI-TV in St. Louis, WBNS-TV in Columbus and WKBW-TV in Buffalo. John quickly adapts to a particular market. If consultant driven strategies are in place, John will work with the news team and other department heads to meet those objectives and goals. If requested, John helps in the search for a permanent replacement.

John enjoys working with journalists at every experience level. While on site, he will mentor, develop and coach.

If interested in John’s services, email him at johnwshelby@gmail.com. LinkedIn profile here

Names in the News…and other things:

Congratulations to KING-TV (Seattle/NBC/Gannett) and KETV (Omaha/ABC/Hearst) who were honored with Overall Excellence Awards in RTDNA’s annual Edward R. Murrow Awards. And KXAS-TV (Dallas/NBC o-and-o) won THREE awards, two for an investigative series called Injured Hereos. You can watch that report…and ALL the entries, by clicking on this link.

White

Speaking of KING-TV, their longtime Planning Manager ED WHITE is retiring after more than 30 years with the station. Ed was working as an attorney for a Seattle law firm when he made a major career change. He moved to KING as a production assistant, then to the assignment desk, and on to the planning manager role in 2000. Gannett President DAVE LOUGEE (while he was GM at KING) said Ed was the guy ‘you hope your kids would grow up to be’. The Mayor of Seattle honored Ed by declaring his last day on the job “Ed White Day”, and the station paid tribute to him with this profile.

KEVIN DUCKWORTH, chief photographer for WDSU-TV in New Orleans, moves to Assistant ND for the cluster of stations known as NBC Montana. He’ll be based at KTVM-TV in Bozeman, reporting to ND JULIE WEINDEL who works at KECI-TV in Missoula. Kevin’s diverse background is well detailed on his Linkedin page.

JAMIE McCUTHEON is stepping down from the anchor desk at WCTI-TV in New Bern, NC, to become Assistant ND there. She says she’s making the move to spend more time with her daughter who starts kindergarten this fall.

Former News Director turned author FORREST CARR continues to battle cancer, and has blogged about a particularly tough week he just survived…literally. You can read that blog post here.

Here’s a link to a column written by PAUL GREELEY for TVNewsCheck about what’s working, and not working in news promotion. Check out the lengthy but very well produced (and interesting) video featuring GRAEME NEWELL, President of 602 Communications.

Finally, congratulations to our friends at DEVLIN DESIGN GROUP on their latest award. At this week’s ProMax/BDA convention, DDG was honored with a gold award for its work on a new set for WAGA-TV in Atlanta. Here’s the news release and here’s a look at the set. DDG, of course, is a longtime supporter of this newsletter.

General Manager News:

MICHAEL SMITH has been promoted to General Manager for WFRV-TV in Green Bay as well as sister-Nexstar station WJMN-TV in Marquette, MI. He’s been the sales manager for the stations for three years, and previously worked for another Green Bay station.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 28, 2015.

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

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave. Los Angeles CA 91604
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KXAS-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth TX 76155
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
WKRC-TV 1906 Highland Ave. Cincinnati OH 45219
WSPA-TV 250 International Drive Spartanburg SC 29303
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas 89109
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St. Portsmouth VA 23705
WVTM 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham AL 35202
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WFIE-TV 1115 Mount Auburn Rd. Evansville IN 47720
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309 (see ad above!)
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323 Tyler TX 75701
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
KTVL-TV 1440 Rossanley Dr. Medford OR 97501
KWES-TV P.O. Box 60150 Midland, TX 79711
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
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
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

June 21, 2015

Wednesday, June 24, 2015 UPDATE:

Diener

A surprise today from Los Angeles, where veteran news director SCOTT DIENER is leaving KCBS-TV after 5+ years as the ND there.

In this note to his staff, he referred to his decision to step aside and pursue ‘new and exciting opportunities.

Scott first joined CBS as the Assistant ND for KTVT-TV in Dallas. He later rose to ND there. He’s also been a news director in San Francisco, Phoenix, Cincinnati, and Louisville. Scott’s also worked in Minneapolis and Columbia, MO.

Here’s a look at his bio from the KCBS website.

His departure leaves two openings among the 13 by my count) CBS stations that produce news:  SUSAN SCHILLER stepped down from her job at Philadelphia’s KYW-TV last month after 14 years as ND there.

One other note: RTDNA announced the National Edward R. Murrow Awards today. The complete list of winners is available in this story from the RTDNA website.

More on this in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

We come to you tonight from Las Vegas, where the ProMax conference gets underway this week. Media General is bringing all its NDs for meetings during ProMax, and there might be others, too. I’ll be around the Mirage a few times early in the week and look forward to seeing some of you.

Our count of open News Director jobs jumps to a higher-than-it’s-been-in a while (35) after this week’s activity. FIVE newly opened positions, with just ONE job filled, to my knowledge.

We have a paid help wanted ad for one of those new openings, along with TWO ads for management jobs in some large markets.

We’ve updated our list of Open News Management jobs, as well.

Names in the News features some names that many of you will recognize: STEVE DOERR, HARRY FULLER, CHRIS JADICK, and JOHHNY GREEN, among others.

A former ND turned GM jumps 20+ markets for a new challenge, while another veteran GM retires.

And we have one obituary of an interesting broadcaster, who played for both the Los Angeles Rams and Dallas Cowboys before becoming a major market ND and GM…in addition to a co-founder of Univision.

It’s a lengthy newsletter this week. I hope you enjoy it.

New News Director Openings:

Tully

KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…we first told you on Friday of SUSAN TULLY‘s promotion within NBC to become GM for WVIT-TV in Hartford. Susan’s a longtime NBC employee, having spent time at o-and-o’s in San Diego and Philadelphia prior to her 14+ years as ND in Dallas. More on her move in this article from Uncle Barky, longtime DFW media observer, and in this story from the TV writer for the Star-Telegram.

Varner

WKRC-TV, Cincinnati, OH…in another move we told you about on Friday, KIRK VARNER is leaving this Sinclair Broadcasting owned CBS affiliate in early July. He’s been at the helm here for 4+ years, and told his staff in this memo that it was time for a new coach to lead the team. The sports analogy comes easily for Kirk, who’s run newsrooms at both ESPN and SportsChannel America. He’s been a local ND in New Haven and Buffalo, helped develop the Time Warner Cable news channels, and has also worked in New York and Boston. He tells me he’s searching for the next opportunity.

Polster

WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY….LISA POLSTER moves across the street to join Media General’s WIVB-TV as the morning executive producer. She’s been ND for this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate for 18 months…and explains her move in the second item in this story. She’s worked at WKBW twice for total of eleven years, earlier worked at WGRZ-TV, so she now completes the hat trick of Buffalo stations. She’s also been an EP in Paducah and Baltimore.

Sanders

WCTV, Tallahassee, FL…veteran news director STAN SANDERS is leaving this CBS affiliate after three years as ND. Stan emailed me that he accomplished the goals he set when he arrived, and feels it’s better to leave when it’s ‘time’. He’s a former news director in Columbus, OH (almost ten years at WCMH-TV), and Jackson, MS, and ran the Student Media Center at Southern Mississippi. You can learn more about this opportunity in the paid ad below.

Allen

KYTX-TV, Tyler, TX…this Gannett owned CBS affiliate has a new opening for news director. My records show that LORRI ALLEN had been the ND here since September, 2013. Her background is a little different than many news directors. See her Linkedin page for more details.

Newly Named News Directors:

Tompkins

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA…congratulations to ROB TOMPKINS who’ll be the next ND for this Nexstar owned FOX affiliate. He’s currently the Assistant ND for the company’s Salt Lake City station, KTVX-TV. He’s held that job for just over four years, returning to the business after a four year hiatus. He’s also worked in Las Vegas, Lexington, KY (two stations), Greensboro/High Point, NC, and Jackson, MS. His Linkedin page has the entire story.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WCTV, Tallahassee, FL:

WCTV, the market’s dominant news station in Tallahassee, Florida is looking for a News Director to lead our award winning news team.

All candidates should have a degree in broadcast journalism or a related field and at least seven years of experience in a commercial television newsroom. News management experience is preferred to lead a staff of almost forty news professionals. Extensive knowledge of multi-platform content generation and delivery is crucial.

This highly organized individual creates and implements long range plans and sweeps strategies. The ideal candidate knows the importance of continual teaching and training and is passionate about local news.

Tallahassee is the state capital of Florida and home to Florida State University and Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University.

If you qualify, please email your resume to HR@wctv.tv or mail to:

WCTV Human Resources
1801 Halstead Boulevard
Tallahassee FL 32309

Must have clean driving record and drug screening required for employment.

Gray Television participates in E-Verify and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Executive Producer, KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO:

KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver is looking for our next rocks star Executive Producer to oversee the 3½ hours of news we produce on-air weekday evenings (5pm/9pm/10pm on KDVR and 7pm on KWGN).

We are looking for a strong leader who is aggressively competitive and creative, and who can help us continue to shake up the Denver market.

Our Executive Producers are responsible for managing all aspects of newscast content and play a vital role in our strategic plan to grow ratings and improve our on-air product in addition to digital platforms. Must have solid news judgment, be able to meet daily deadlines, work well under pressure, generate story and coverage ideas on a daily and long-term basis, manage a team of producers, and work with a large, diverse staff in a professional manner to ensure our content meets standards for editorial and technical integrity.

Excellent communication skills are required, as is prior management and major market producing experience.

Please apply by clicking here.

Several Management Opportunities, RNN, Rye Brook, NY:

Regional News Network (RNN) is a privately owned enterprise based in Rye Brook, NY. Reaching more than six million homes throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island, RNN is distributed on Verizon FiOS 1 News.

Due to a recent expansion, RNN is recruiting for a variety of weekend positions. Candidates must be able to work all shifts. Current open positions include Executive Producers, Producers, Assignment Editor, Technical Director, Editor and many other positions.

Please visit our website and apply online at https://rnn-tvcareers.silkroad.com/.

Please mention Rick Gevers as your source.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 6/14/15)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (new listing this week)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 6/14/15)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (relisted this week)
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, listed 5/30/15)
WFXT-TV, Boston, MA (2 jobs, Inv/Spec. Proj. & newscast EP, revised 5/3/15)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (new listing, see ad above!)
KOVR-TV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/17/15)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (PM EP, relisted 6/14/15)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted 6/14/15)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 4/19/12)
WJAR-TV, Providence, RI (PM EP, listed 4/26/15)
WMTW-TV, Portland, ME (AM EP, relisted 5/24/15)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (listed 6/14/15)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 6/14/15)
WPBF-TV, W. Palm Beach, FL (listed 5/10/15)

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

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

Obituary:

Villaneuva

DANNY VILLANEUVA, a one-time place kicker in the NFL who when on to be an ND and GM in Los Angeles, died this week at the age of 77 from complications of a stroke. He played for the Rams and Cowboys, and held a Dallas kicking record for 41 years before it was broken. He helped found Univision and gave millions to charities. Two good articles you should read: this one from the Los Angeles Times, and this tribute from his alma mater, New Mexico State.

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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:

JOHNNY GREEN joins WBZ-TV in Boston as the next Assistant News Director for that CBS o-and-o. He’s currently an Executive Producer for NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia, and earlier had been the Nightside and Special Projects EP for WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. Johnny’s also worked in Florence, New Bern, Raleigh and Charlotte (two stations).

REBECCA JOHNSON, the assistant ND for Media General’s WPRI-TV in Providence, is headed south for the same job at WNCN-TV in Raleigh. She’ll be replaced in Providence by MAUREEN CAPASSO, who makes the trek east from her job as EP for KDVR-TV in Denver. She’s also worked in Boston and Miami.

KEVIN JACOBSON has been named Assistant ND for KBJR-TV in Duluth. He’ll continue to anchor the 6:00 PM news.

Doerr

STEVE DOERR has joined Crawford Johnson & Northcott (aka CJ&N) as VP of Client Development and Senior Consultant. He’s been a GM in markets as large as Dallas, and an ND in Philadelphia and Cleveland, and worked as a consultant for AR&D. His lengthy bio is well detailed on his Linkedin page. The company’s news release is a click away, here.

One-time Tampa and Louisville News Director CHRIS JADICK leaves the private sector after six years to become Director of Bright House Sports Network, which covers Central Florida and Tampa Bay. Chris has also worked in Detroit, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, and for another Tampa station.

Retired San Francisco News Director (both KGO-TV and KPIX-TV) HARRY FULLER has published a book about his passion…birding, and specifically the great gray owl. More in this profile from a new publication to these pages, the Ashland Daily Tidings!

General Manager News:

Hoffman

JEFF HOFFMAN has been named GM for Graham Media’s WKMG-TV (CBS) in Orlando. He’s been running WTKR-TV in Norfolk for the past seven years. He’s also been a GM in Huntsville, and has worked in a wide range of markets as a news director, station manager, EP, etc. The full story is available in this news release from the company.

Longtime General Manager BROOKE SPECTORSKY has retired after 17 years as GM of Cleveland’s WKYC-TV, the station at which he began his career more than 45 years ago. But there were a few other stops along the way, including four years as GM of WUAB-TV in Cleveland, and at stations in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, Boston and Orlando. He’s being succeeded by his wife, MICKI BYRNES. The Cleveland Plain Dealer looks at his career and the party at the station honoring him.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 21, 2015.

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

WNJU-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 *
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KXAS-TV 4805 Amon Carter Blvd. Fort Worth TX 76155
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
WKRC-TV 1906 Highland Ave. Cincinnati OH 45219
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas 89109
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St. Portsmouth VA 23705
WVTM 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham AL 35202
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza Buffalo NY 14202
KJRH-TV 3701 South Peoria Avenue Tulsa OK 74105
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St Toledo OH 43604
WACH-TV 1400 Pickens St. Columbia SC 29201
WFIE-TV 1115 Mount Auburn Rd. Evansville IN 47720
WCTV 1801 Halstead Blvd. Tallahassee FL 32309 (see ad above!)
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KYTX-TV 2211 ESE Loop 323 Tyler TX 75701
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
KWES-TV P.O. Box 60150 Midland, TX 79711
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
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
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

June 14, 2015

Friday, June 19, 2015 UPDATE #2:

A rare second UPDATE in one day brings news of a promotion for a longtime news director to general manager.

Tully

SUSAN TULLY, who’s been VP/News for KXAS-TV in Dallas for more than 14 years, moves within NBC to become GM of the company’s WVIT-TV in Hartford, CT. She replaces RIC HARRIS who moved to the same role at WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

Susan’s a longtime NBC employee: she’s also worked at NBC o-and-o’s in Philadelphia and San Diego.

Here’s the official news release from NBC, and click here to read the note from VALERI STAAB, who’s President of the NBC o-and-o division.

Congratulations to Susan….and more on this move and all the week’s action in our full newsletter.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Friday, June 19, 2015 UPDATE:

Varner

July 3rd will be the last day on the job for longtime News Director KIRK VARNER. He told his staff at Cincinnati’s WKRC-TV (CBS/Sinclair Broadcasting) today that, after 4+ years, it’s time for a ‘new coach’ to lead the team to the next level.

It’s a fitting analogy for Kirk, who’s been a news director for both ESPN and SportsChannel America, as well as for local stations in New Haven and Buffalo. He also worked for Time Warner Cable as VP/Local News Services, developing local news channels in several markets. And he’s worked as an EP or producer in New York and Boston.

His memo to the staff is here.

His entire career background can be found on his Linkedin page.

Kirk tells me he has no immediate plans and is beginning his search.

More on this…and a number of other changes…in our full report later this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

***** **** *****

Greetings:

THREE new News Director openings, and just ONE ND position filled so our list of open ND jobs jumps to 31.

We have TWO paid help wanted ads, as well as ads for a reporting contest which offers cash and a trip to the EIJ Conference, and an ad for the Kneeland Project training. There’s a number of new opportunities in our Other News Management Openings section, we have a job-seeker offering his services in the rarely used Situations Wanted portion of the newsletter, and a number of Names in the News.

All that and more in a slightly-delayed-by-awful-WiFi-on-a-Southwest-flight edition!

New News Director Openings:

Gardner

WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL…veteran ND TIM GARDNER has resigned from the NBC affiliate after 8+ years as ND. This article says he’s headed to Dallas to be with his wife and family. Tim once worked for Dallas-based AR&D. He’s also been an ND in San Antonio and Austin (two stations), had worked for WVTM earlier in his career as well as several small markets in Alabama. WVTM was recently acquired by Hearst.

Tefertiller

KWES-TV, Midland, TX…TOM TEFERTILLER is apparently out as News Director after a grand total of four…months. We told you in February that Tom was assuming additional duties as ND for this Drewry Communications/NBC affiliate. At that time, he was the Chief Meteorologist and a 20 year veteran of the station. Now the station has an ad on its website for an ND, and another for a meteorologist.

Weishaar

KTVH-TV, Helena, MT…this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate has a posting on its website for a new News Director. I do not know where the incumbent, DIRK WEISHAAR, is going, although (at least of this writing), his bio is still on the station’s website. In case that bio is gone when you look for it, he returned to KTVH as ND in October, 2013, after a 10 year run in Eugene, OR as a sports anchor/reporter. He began his career in his hometown of Pocatello, worked as the weekend sports anchor for KTVH, and later worked in Reno.

Newly Named News Directors:

WLTV, Miami, FL…ROBERT VIZCON has been bumped up from interim News Director to ND for this Univision station. He’s previously been an ND for Univision in Puerto Rico, and has been a GM for Spanish language stations in Miami and Orlando. He replaces DANIEL MORCATE who left the station in February.

 The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now.

Only a few days left to apply!

Applications are due this Friday, June 19, for The Kneeland Project’s next session, which will be held September 9-12 in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 18 selected participants. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals.

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.

You’ll join this session’s faculty and 17 other outstanding news director colleagues to explore the exciting challenges that face our industry, and you’ll leave the program with a solid plan to guide your leadership decisions starting the day you return to your newsroom.

This isn’t theoretical information that you will put on a shelf and neglect. Every participant will walk away with concrete action items to implement immediately that will make a difference in their station…and their life.

It’s an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results. Journalists return to their stations refreshed and ready to tackle the sometimes overwhelming challenges newsrooms now face.

Click here for more information and to apply. Remember – apply before Friday, June 19th. Only 18 news directors will be selected for this program.

Apply now!

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Several Management Opportunities, RNN, Rye Brook, NY:

Regional News Network (RNN) is a privately owned enterprise based in Rye Brook, NY. Reaching more than six million homes throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island, RNN is distributed on Verizon FiOS 1 News.

Due to a recent expansion, RNN is recruiting for a variety of weekend positions. Candidates must be able to work all shifts. Current open positions include Executive Producers, Producers, Assignment Editor, Technical Director, Editor and many other positions.

Please visit our website and apply online at https://rnn-tvcareers.silkroad.com/.

Please mention Rick Gevers as your source.

Assistant News Director, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA:

WCYB-TV, Bristol VA-TN, serving the Tri-Cities DMA, seeks a dynamic Assistant News Director to join our #1 news operation.

Qualified candidates will have at least 3 years of television producing, assignment desk and/or assistant news director experience. The successful candidate must be an excellent writer and producer, have exemplary management and supervisory skills and exhibit a passion to cover local television news with a record of doing so with credibility and integrity.
The Assistant News Director will be someone who can craft shows, mentor young producers and be the standard-bearer of our “Getting the Facts Right”. As a steward of the brand, you will copy-edit and proofread reporter scripts in a manner consistent with that goal. You will also take charge in the producing of breaking news, severe weather coverage and select special programs. At every turn you must be competitive, energetic and a true team player. A degree in Broadcast Journalism or equivalent is preferred.

Send a cover letter, resume and a link to examples of your work which demonstrates in detail the qualifications listed above to hr@wcyb.com Subject: Assistant News Director.

No phone calls please.

WCYB-TV, 101 Lee Street, Bristol VA 24201 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (new listing this week)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (listed 6/7/15)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (listed 5/10/15)
WDJT-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 5/10/15)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted this week)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (listed 6/7/15, see ad above!)
KRCR-TV, Redding, CA (listed 4/19/15)
KECI/KCFW/KTVM, Bozeman, MT (listed 4/26/15)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

Regional News Network, Rye Brook, NY (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (relisted 5/24/15)
KNTV, San Jose/San Francisco, CA (AM EP, listed 5/30/15)
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, relisted this week)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (PM EP, listed 5/3/15)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (Dayside EP, listing revised 6/7/15)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
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)
WVLA/WGMB-TV, Baton Rouge, LA (new listing this week)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

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

NEWS OPERATIONS MANAGER:

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

Situations Wanted:

We offer a free situations wanted ad to news managers who are 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.

This week, meet JAMES DOUGHTY:

It is in my humble opinion that being a television news director is one of the most challenging jobs in the world today; however, it can also be one of the most rewarding positions. I believe whole-heartedly that a fair, calm and understanding news director is essential to provide your station stability, consistency, and care.

I hold a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from Texas Tech University. Since 1998, I’ve served as reporter, anchor, producer and news director in various newsrooms across Texas.

I believe I would be a great candidate as news director in your organization.

(You can reach James at 210-663-8622, via email at jadoughty2013@gmail.com, or check him out on Linkedin by clicking here.

Names in the News…and other things:

RICHARD MAGINN, a longtime EP for Chicago’s WLS-TV, is headed across the street to WMAQ-TV, the NBC o-and-o there, as Managing Editor. It’s a new position for that NBC station, and comes at a time when the 10:00 news race is very competitive. More in this story from The Chicago Business Journal.

MARC STERNFIELD will be the next Assistant ND for KHOU-TV in Houston. He’ll join that Gannett-owned CBS affiliate in August. He’s been the Assistant ND for KSTU-TV (FOX) in Salt Lake City for the past three years, and has also worked in Denver (three stations, one twice) and in Lexington and Boston.

Norfolk native DAVID CRAFT has been named the new Morning EP for Media General’s WAVY-TV in Norfolk. He’s currently a producer for this NBC affiliate, and formerly worked at WTKR-TV in Norfolk as Assignment Manager.

General Manager News:

Just one move that I’m aware of this week….WNCT-TV (Greenville, NC) has promoted JOHN O. LEWIS to GM. He’s been the General Sales Manager for this CBS affiliate.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 14, 2015.

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

WNJU-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 *
KWHY-TV 4975 W. Pico Blvd Los Angeles,CA 90019 *
KYW-TV 1555 Hamilton St. Philadelphia PA 19130
KCEC-TV 777 Grant St. #110 Denver CO 80203 *
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St. Durham NC 27701
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas 89109
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St. Portsmouth VA 23705
WVTM 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham AL 35202
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
WFIE-TV 1115 Mount Auburn Rd. Evansville IN 47720
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
KWES-TV P.O. Box 60150 Midland, TX 79711
KTMF/KWYB-TV 2200 Stephens Ave. Missoula, MT 59801
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
KTVH-TV 100 W. Lyndale Ave. Suite A Helena MT 59601
WBUP/WBKP-TV 1705 Ash Street Ishpeming MI 49849

* Spanish language station

June 7, 2015

Greetings:

I enjoyed visiting with some of you at this past week’s IRE Conference in Philadelphia, and there were a number of you I saw but did not get to talk to. It was another record year for the conference. IRE Executive Director MARK HORVIT told me attendance was very close to 1,800, with a growing broadcast presence.

At the risk of omitting some, groups with significant attendance included Gannett, NBC, and Cox. Apologies to others I may have missed.

Moving on to our routine business, there are FOUR new ND openings and FOUR newly named NDs in this week’s edition, leaving our count of open ND jobs at 29.

We have two new ads for an Assistant ND in a medium market station, and another for a number of openings at an news operation outside New York.  We’ve also freshened our list of Other News Management Openings.

There are a few management changes in Names in the News, and links to a few article that you may find interesting if you missed them this week.

And there are two obituaries, including one of a long-ago ND who was once challenged on how he would fill the time when he expanded his station’s newscast to a whopping….45 minutes.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

WNJU-TV, New York, NY…Friday was JOSE MORALES‘ last day as ND for this Telemundo o-and-o. He was ND there for 5+ years. More in this story from Media Moves.

Comings

KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV…veteran news director RON COMINGS was among the victims of a mid-week ‘staff reduction’ by Nexstar, which took over this CBS affiliate in February. The Las Vegas Review Journal puts the number of cuts at 18 in this article. Ron had been ND here since 2006. He’d earlier been an ND in Honolulu and Sacramento, but began his career as a reporter, working in Minneapolis and Florida.

WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA…we told you earlier this week that JIM GILCHRIEST is leaving this Media General owned NBC affiliate to become ND for WSMV-TV in Nashville. More on that below.

WFIE-TV, Evansville, IN…after 27 years at the station, the last four as news director, SCOTT GALLOWAY is taking a promotion within Raycom to become ND at WTOC-TV in Savannah. Details below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Gilchriest

WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN…as noted above, JIM GILCHRIEST will be the next ND for this Meredith-owned NBC affiliate. He spent four years as ND at WAVY-TV in Norfolk and four years before that as ND for KTVB-TV in Boise. He’s worked in Charlotte, Winston-Salem, and Rochester, NY, and began his career in radio news. At WSMV, Jim replaces MATTHEW HILK who spent more than eight years as ND before leaving in February. Matthew began last Monday as the Supervising Producer at CNN in Washington for “The Lead With Jake Tapper”.

Eldridge

KUTV, Salt Lake City, UT…veteran newsman LEE ELDRIDGE started last month as the new news director for this Sinclair-owned CBS affiliate. Lee most recently worked as a news manager for KUSI-TV, the independent station in San Diego. He’s been an ND in Louisville, Chattanooga, Rochester, NY, and Greenville, NC, and has worked in Atlanta and Memphis. He replaces JENNIFER DAHL who was upped to Group News Director for Sinclair in January after four years as ND.

Galloway

WTOC-TV, Savannah, GA…we told you earlier that SCOTT GALLOWAY has been named news director for this Raycom-owned CBS affiliate. Scott’s spent the last 27 years as Raycom’s WFIE-TV in Evansville in a variety of roles, including Chief Photographer, Assignment Editor, Assistant News Director, and the last four as ND. Scott takes over for JAN SMITH who left the station in May after five years as ND and ten at the station.

Placencia

KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX…VERONICA PLACENCIA has been named ND for this Nexstar owned NBC station. It’s a return to KTSM for Veronica, who was born in El Paso and has spent her entire professional career there. She most recently has been the Assistant ND and Assignment Editor for the Univision station there. Here’s hoping she lasts longer than REY CHAVEZ who we told you in April was going to be the ND there, and then left in May.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Several Management Opportunities, RNN, Rye Brook, NY:

Regional News Network (RNN) is a privately owned enterprise based in Rye Brook, NY. Reaching more than six million homes throughout New York, New Jersey and Long Island, RNN is distributed on Verizon FiOS 1 News.

Due to a recent expansion, RNN is recruiting for a variety of weekend positions. Candidates must be able to work all shifts. Current open positions include Executive Producers, Producers, Assignment Editor, Technical Director, Editor and many other positions.

Please visit our website and apply online at https://rnn-tvcareers.silkroad.com/.

Please mention Rick Gevers as your source.

Assistant News Director, WCYB-TV, Bristol, VA:

WCYB-TV, Bristol VA-TN, serving the Tri-Cities DMA, seeks a dynamic Assistant News Director to join our #1 news operation.

Qualified candidates will have at least 3 years of television producing, assignment desk and/or assistant news director experience. The successful candidate must be an excellent writer and producer, have exemplary management and supervisory skills and exhibit a passion to cover local television news with a record of doing so with credibility and integrity.
The Assistant News Director will be someone who can craft shows, mentor young producers and be the standard-bearer of our “Getting the Facts Right”. As a steward of the brand, you will copy-edit and proofread reporter scripts in a manner consistent with that goal. You will also take charge in the producing of breaking news, severe weather coverage and select special programs. At every turn you must be competitive, energetic and a true team player. A degree in Broadcast Journalism or equivalent is preferred.

Send a cover letter, resume and a link to examples of your work which demonstrates in detail the qualifications listed above to hr@wcyb.com Subject: Assistant News Director.

No phone calls please.

WCYB-TV, 101 Lee Street, Bristol VA 24201 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (new listing this week)
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)
WCYB-TV, Tri-Cities, TN (new listing this week, see ad above!)
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, listed 5/30/15)
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)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (Dayside EP, listing revised this week)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Dayside EP, listed 5/10/15)
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)

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:

SAM ZELMAN, who revolutionized local TV news by expanding it to a whopping 45 minutes when he was the ND at KNXT-TV (now KCBS-TV) in Los Angeles, died May 29th in Tucson at the age of 100. This Los Angeles Times story also covers his long career at CBS News and his role as one of the builders at CNN.

Our sympathy to VALERIE ROBERTS (EVANS) on the loss of her father, LEE ROBERTS ,who died May 27 at the age of 87. Valerie’s a former ND in the Flint/Saginaw market, and has worked in Dallas, Detroit, St. Louis, and Grand Rapids. This obituary tells us that her dad’s Air Force enlistment papers were signed by JACKIE ROBINSON. Your kind note of sympathy reaches Valerie at: uvuli73@sbcglobal.net

Names in the News…and other things:

TvSpy is reporting that VALERIE FEDER has left her job as Assistant News Director for WCBS-TV in New York. She’s been there since 2007. Valerie’s worked for another NYC station, and in Los Angeles, Seattle, Atlanta, Tampa, and Chicago.

ALFREDO SANCHEZ has been promoted from EP to Assistant ND at KXTX-TV, the Telemundo station in Dallas. And while Alfredo is joining KXTX, IRIS RODRIGUEZ is leaving her job as a producer there to become the EP for KLTM-TV in McAllen, TX.

In case you missed it, the Denver Post recently profiled that city’s three new news directors. The full article is here.

Of some interest to folks in this part of the world, Dispatch Printing Company is selling its print products, including The Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch. The company says it will continue to own its two TV stations, WTHR-TV here in Indianapolis and WBNS-TV in Columbus. Click here to read the full story.

TVNewscheck says there is little change in its top 30 broadcast groups, which I’m betting you can’t recite in order. But you can study the list by reading the story.

Finally, best wishes for a speedy recovery to the self-proclaimed “Surly Editor” of Newsblues, MIKE JAMES, who is scheduled for knee surgery tomorrow morning.

General Manager News:

Two General Manager changes in Orlando this week.

Valet

We told you in an UPDATE a few days ago that SKIP VALET was leaving WKMG-TV (CBS) after six years as GM and 33 years at the company, beginning when I hired him as a production assistant at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville in 1982. He went on to be the ND there, in Orlando, and in Houston before returning to WKMG.

SHAWN BARLETT announced her retirement after nine years as GM for WFTV in Orlando. She’ll be replaced by PAUL CURRAN, VP/Sales for the Cox Media Group which owns that ABC affiliate.

And ERIC LAND is returning to Birmingham as GM for WBMA-TV. He’s a former GM for WIAT-TV in Birmingham, has been a GM in Tampa, Jacksonville (FL) and Buffalo and was the COO for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 7, 2015.

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

WNJU-TV 30 Rockefeller Plaza New York, NY 10112 *
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
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Drive Columbus OH 43215
KTNV-TV 3355 S. Valley View Blvd. Las Vegas NV 89102
KLAS-TV 3228 Channel 8 Drive Las Vegas 89109
WAVY-TV 300 Wavy St. Portsmouth VA 23705
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
WFIE-TV 1115 Mount Auburn Rd. Evansville IN 47720
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
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