Rick Gevers & Associates

June 30, 2019

Wednesday, June 3, 2019 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Two quick notes this to tell you about a new news director in a top 35 market and the retirement of a veteran ND.

Canan

MIKE CANAN is the new news director for Scripps’ WCPO-TV (ABC) in Cincinnati. Mike’s been the interim ND there for the last month or so since CHIP MAHANEY returned to the Scripps mother ship across town. Chip will work on the corporate staff in a talent development role after 2 1/2 years at WCPO.

Mike won’t need a map to find his new workplace. In addition to his time as interim ND, he spent more than three years there earlier in his career as editor of WCPO.com.

His background is not in television, though, but print media, as you’ll read on his Linkedin page.

Morford

And BOB MORFORD is retiring after 40 years in our business, in which he has run newsrooms in Houston, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati (two stations), West Palm Beach, Knoxville, and Huntsville, AL, where he is now nearing the end of his second stint as ND of WAFF-TV.

Bob explained the timing of his decision to me this way:

After 24 married years living apart, she (wife Margaret) and I found a “perfect” home in Nashville for retirement in May, I hit 40 years in the business on Memorial Day, had a contract ending on June 5th, put all that together, and turned in notice to the station. Last day is July 12.

And he sent this unusual note to his staff to tell them he’s leaving.

We’ll see you this weekend with our full newsletter.

Have a great (and safe) Fourth of July.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

It was busy last week, but not so much this week, with just TWO news director changes involving ONE new news director in Utah, and ONE opening in Michigan as a veteran newswoman steps down.

There are TWO ads, including ONE for one of the 33 news director openings.

We’ll update last week’s report about a mystery new job for a Louisville GM, and we’ll tell you about a record setting award for our friends and longtime supporters at the Devlin Design Group.

All that and more just below.

Newly Named News Director: 

Gonzalez

KULX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT…NOE GONZALEZ will be the next news director for this Telemundo owned station. He’s been the Assistant ND for sister Telemundo station KTAZ-TV in Phoenix.

New News Director Opening: 

Hodak

WJRT-TV, Flint, MI…JAYNE HODAK has decided to leave this Gray Television owned ABC affiliate after 16 years at the station, the last eight as news director. She joined the station in 2003 as Assistant News Director and replaced JIM BLEICHER as ND in 2011. I’m told her last day will be in a few weeks. Jayne’s also worked at WRAL-TV in Raleigh. More details about this opportunity can be found in the Paid Help Wanted ad just below.

And an update on our item about the posted ND job at WFMZ-TV in Allentown, PA. BRAD RINEHART, who’s been the ND at this independent station since 1984, tells me that he’s stepping away from the day to day operations of the newsroom. Brad also has the title of Assistant General Manager.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WJRT-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI:

Seeking a powerhouse candidate who will lead our newsroom. Responsible for overseeing and leading all aspects of daily news operations including organization of targeted content; analyze audience research; work effectively with creative services, sales, production and other departments.

ABOUT STATION:

For more than 70 years, ABC12 has been part of the Mid-Michigan community. Providing breaking news of the day and keeping our viewers informed before, during and after severe weather is our commitment day in and day out. Reaching beyond the traditional news of the day, ABC12 is humbled to be the media partner for several events throughout the year benefiting the community we call home.

To see full job posting and apply please click here.

ABOUT GRAY TELEVISION:

Gray Television supports local community interests by providing quality television broadcasting and exceptional service in each market we serve. Gray owns and/or operates television stations and leading digital properties in 91 television markets including the first or second highest rated television station in 85 markets. We are an unmatched broadcast pioneer that keeps getting bigger and better. We constantly strive for excellence. Through upgrading to the latest technology and seeking new ways to stay on top in our markets, we focus on training and development of the best and brightest employees in the business.

Executive Producer, WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT:

WVIT, the NBC-owned station in beautiful West Hartford, Connecticut is looking for an experienced, creative Executive Producer to guide their dayside news. You’ll be the one deciding how to cover the blizzard bearing down on the area or advising a reporter on the absolute best possible location for their live shot. We want somebody who has both the editorial decision-making ability and the vision to compete in today’s news marketplace.

The people you work with matter too. At NBC Connecticut, you’ll be an influential member of a team that values each other’s perspectives and their approaches to local journalism. And being part of NBC means the opportunity to be a part of some of the biggest stories of the year including the Olympics and the upcoming 2020 Elections.

Here you can grow your career. Wherever your journey might take you, we’re committed to giving people the experience and knowledge to take that next step in their career.

Apply online at nbcunicareers.com

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/5/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 5/12/19)
WTLV-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/5/19)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/23/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 5/5/19)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 4/21/19)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 5/19/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 5/12/19)
KRNV-TV, Reno, TX (listed 6/9/19)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 5/5/19)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (AM EP, listed 6/16/19)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 5/27/19)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (2 openings, listed 5/5/19)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, listed 6/23/19)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, listed 6/23/19, see ad above!)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 5/12/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 5/19/19)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, relisted 5/5/19)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 5/5/19)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/9/19)
WHP-TV Harrisburg, PA (listed 6/2/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, listed 6/23/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, 5/5/19)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/16/19)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 5/12/19)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 5/27/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (Dayside EP, listed 5/5/19)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 6/16/19)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 6/23/19)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 6/16/19)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital Executive Producer, relisted 6/23/19)
WLNS-TV, Lansing MI (listed 6/2/19)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listing modified 5/5/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (PM EP, listed 6/2/19)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (PM EP, listed 6/16/19)

Other News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

KGET-TV, Bakersfield, CA (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 6/23/19:

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (Digital Content Manager)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Executive Producer)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 6/16/19:

Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (Investigative Producer)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (Digital Content Mgr.)

Listed 5/27/19:

WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Planning Manager)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital Content Mgr.)

Listed 5/19/19:

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Enterprise Executive Producer)

Obituary:

Leider

BOB LEIDER, who spent 40 years working for Miami’s WSVN-TV, died June 26th at the age of 75. He first joined the station (then WCKT-TV) in 1974 as National Sales Manager and became GM in 1980. Bob helped oversee the transition from a traditional NBC affiliate to a very flash FOX affiliate and doubled down on the amount of news the station produced. WSVN remembered him in this story.

Names in the News (and other items):

Congrats to our friends at Devlin Design Group, longtime supporters of this newsletter, who scored their sixth consecutive ProMax Gold Award for set design. The award was for the company’s work on the set seen below for KTVU-TV in Oakland/San Francisco, CA.

General Manager News and Notes:

Lamb

BILL LAMB…who we told you last week was leaving Louisville’s WDRB-TV after 17 years for a job in a top ten market…was announced this week as the new GM for Fox’s Los Angeles duopoly, KTTV/KCOP-TV. He replaces BOB COOK who will head distribution for the Fox Corp. station group. Before taking the GM job at WDRB in 2002, Lamb was sales manager for WPLG-TV in Miami,

At WSBT-TV in South Bend, Sinclair Broadcasting has promoted BRIAN DODGE to GM for this CBS/FOX duopoly. He’s been the digital sales manager for the company’s station in Pensacola, FL, WEAR-TV. It’s a return to Indiana for Dodge, who was graduated from Indiana University in Bloomington.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 30, 2019:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WFAA-TV 606 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S Parker St, Tampa, FL 33606
KTVK/KPHO-TV 5555 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
KUSA-TV 500 E Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KCSO-TV 500 Media Place Sacramento, CA 95815 **
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KFMB-TV 7677 Engineer Road San Diego, CA 92111
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd, Brown Deer, WI 53209
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33407
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WBIR-TV 1513 Bill Williams Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd, Flint, MI 48503 (see ad above!)
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St. Toledo OH 43604
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd Midway, FL 32343
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KCBD-TV 5600 Ave. A Lubbock, TX 79404
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Rd. NW Rochester, MN 55901
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KRTV 3300 Old Havre Hwy. Black Eagle, MT 59414
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

June 23, 2019

Greetings:

A very busy week with lots of changes to tell you about.

As in SIX new news directors.

As in SEVEN new openings.

FOUR ads, including though none for any of the 33 news director openings.

We have lots of items in Names in the News. In our GM section, details about a new GM in Los Angeles, and a former ND turned GM returns to the GM office at a FOX o-and-o.

And there are too many obituaries.

All that and more just below.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Nadell

WSB-TV, Atlanta, GA…SUZANNE NADELL returns to this Cox Media owned ABC affiliate as news director. Suzanne is currently the ND at Cox’s Pittsburgh station, WPXI-TV. She worked at WSB earlier in her career as an EP before being promoted to ND for Cox’s Tulsa station, KOKI-TV in 2013. She moved to WPXI in 2016. Suzanne has also worked in Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Myers and Johnson City, TN.

Turnbull

She replaces MISTI TURNBULL. Misti is also getting a promotion within COX…she’s been named Director of News for Cox Media Group. She’s a 20 year veteran of WSB, having started there as a producer in 1999, then rising through the ranks before being named news director in 2015. She’s also worked in Colorado Springs, Norfolk, and Denver.

Manuel

KXTV, Sacramento, CA…JILL MANUEL returns to the news director’s office as she becomes Director of Content for this Tegna owned ABC affiliate. She’s a former ND in Chicago (CLTV) and Cleveland (WEWS-TV) whose last newsroom job was as the Assistant ND at WFLD-TV (FOX) in Chicago. Jill’s Linkedin page tells what she’s been up to since. At KXTV, she replaces SAM COHEN who left to join Rocky Mountain Public Media in Denver as Chief Content Officer for the PBS news operation.

Trabandt

WPXI-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…we mentioned above that SUZANNE NADELL was being promoted from news director at this NBC affiliate to ND for sister Cox Media Group station WSB-TV in Atlanta. Simultaneously WPXI promoted Managing Editor SCOTT TRABANDT to replace Suzanne. Scott’s been the managing editor here since 2016. He previously worked as a producer and EP for WRC-TV in Washington, and also worked in Charlotte (at Cox’s WSOC-TV) and in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Williams

WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA…DAVID WILLIAMS reunites with DENISE VICKERS as he’s been named ND for this Lockwood Broadcasting owned FOX affiliate. He’s currently the ND for Gray’s KCBD-TV in Lubbock, is a former ND in Lake Charles, LA, and also worked in Huntsville and Montgomery. David worked with his new GM in both those Alabama markets, where she was the ND and he the assistant. At WFXG, he replaces ANGELA GREEN. We told you last week she was leaving for an as yet unannounced ‘new adventure’.

Peterson

WGFL-TV, Gainesville, FL…JAKE PETERSON is the new news director here. I believe he has worked in Tampa and Phoenix. In Gainesville, he replaces ANDY PARAS who left after two years to become ND for WFFT-TV in Ft. Wayne. WGFL is operated by Sinclair Broadcasting. A CBS affiliate, it is owned by New Age Media.

Gaylord

KPAX-TV, Missoula, MT…a transfer between Scripps stations leaves ERIC GAYLORD as the new ND for this CBS affiliate. He’s been the ND at sister station KRTV in Great Falls, MT, since June, 2017. Eric began as a photographer, working in Kansas City, St. Louis, Denver, and as chief photographer in San Diego before moving into management. If my records are correct, he replaces JERRY GIESLER who had been the ND here since July, 2015.

New News Director Openings: 

Rinehart

WFMZ-TV, Allentown, PA…this independent station (part of the Philadelphia market) has a listing on its website for news director. BRAD RINEHART has been the ND there since 1984. I’ve reached out to Brad but, as of this writing, have not heard back. We’ll update when we learn more. WFMZ does (according to its Wikipedia page) 46½ hours of news every week.  UPDATE 6/24:  Brad tells me that they are doing some succession planning and he’ll spend less time on the day to day.

Minnaugh

WFLA-TV, Tampa, FL…RYAN MINNAUGH left this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate this week after just over one year as ND. He spent the previous 2 1/2 years as ND for WTKR-TV in Norfolk, working for GM SKIP VALET, who recruited him to Tampa. Ryan’s also worked as an Assistant ND in Indianapolis, and EP in Denver and Cleveland, and for CNN and WEBfn, as well as in Syracuse.

Wilson

KTVK/KPHO-TV, Phoenix, AZ…DAN WILSON’s last day at the Meredith owned duopoly (KTVK is independent, KPHO is CBS) was Monday. He’d been there 3 1/2 years and previously was a news director for WPTV in West Palm Beach, and has worked for another Phoenix station (KNXV-TV) and in Las Vegas for 10 years in a variety of roles at what was then KVBC-TV (NBC) and is now KSNV-TV.

Painter

WBIR-TV, Knoxville, TN…TAZ PAINTER’s leaving this Tegna owned NBC affiliate in early August. General Manager DAVID HUNT shared the news with the staff in this email. This is Taz’s second stint at WBIR: he was managing editor there from 2007-2014, was promoted to ND for Tegna’s WZZM-TV in Grand Rapids, and returned to Knoxville in 2017. He’s also worked for Hearst stations in Albuquerque and Greenville, SC.

KCBD-TV, Lubbock, TX…we reported above that DAVID WILLIAMS is leaving this Gray TV owned NBC affiliate to become ND for WFXG-TV in Augusta, GA. He was ND here for just over two years.

KRTV, Great Falls, MT…we also told you above that ERIC GAYLORD is moving from this Scripps station to another, as news director for KPAX-TV in Missoula, MT. More on that above.

Hudspeth

KAVU-TV, Victoria, TX…AMIE HUDSPETH is moving from market 203 to CNN’s Headline News in Atlanta as Script Supervisor for Weekend Morning Express. She’s been the ND here for almost five years. Before that she the Assistant News Director for WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC and has also worked in San Antonio, Austin, Oklahoma City, and Dallas. KAVU is an ABC affiliate owned by Morgan Murphy Media.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Executive Producer, WVIT-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT:

WVIT, the NBC-owned station in beautiful West Hartford, Connecticut is looking for an experienced, creative Executive Producer to guide their dayside news. You’ll be the one deciding how to cover the blizzard bearing down on the area or advising a reporter on the absolute best possible location for their live shot. We want somebody who has both the editorial decision-making ability and the vision to compete in today’s news marketplace.

The people you work with matter too. At NBC Connecticut, you’ll be an influential member of a team that values each other’s perspectives and their approaches to local journalism. And being part of NBC means the opportunity to be a part of some of the biggest stories of the year including the Olympics and the upcoming 2020 Elections.

Here you can grow your career. Wherever your journey might take you, we’re committed to giving people the experience and knowledge to take that next step in their career.

Apply online at nbcunicareers.com

Investigative Producer, Rocky Mountain Public Media, Denver, CO:

Are you an outstanding investigative producer with mad data skills?

Do you want to take your work and your life to a higher level by joining a duPont-winning team in one of the hottest markets in America?

Rocky Mountain PBS in Denver is looking for you!

1. Work exclusively on long-form investigative stories that matter. Yes, our stories win awards. But more importantly, they change people’s lives.

2. Tell those stories in documentaries, podcasts, text and digital graphics with our six-person Insight with John Ferrugia team.

3. Collaborate with other media in Colorado and nationally. In addition to the statewide PBS network, we produce national pieces for PBS NewsHour and collaborate with Denver market-leader KUSA and other Tegna stations.

To learn more and apply, click here.

Digital Content Manager, WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL:

Very professional.

No drama.

#1.

Sound like a good place to work? You should apply for the Digital Content Manager position at WBRC-Fox6 News in Birmingham, AL. We’re the No. 1 Fox affiliate in the country, and the No. 1 station in the 43rd largest market. Our new DCM will be driven by urgency and ingenuity, will be a leader and a teacher, will motivate and hold the team accountable. The right candidate for this newsroom management opportunity must be a great and willing writer, have tremendous news judgement and be ready to work with our marketing and sales teams across all our digital platforms.

The WBRC Digital Content Manager will lead a team of five full-time digital content producers, plus two part-time producers. Our new DCM must have proven motivation, delegation and people management skills.

Want to know more about WBRC & Birmingham? Check this out.

Here’s where to go to apply:

Executive Producer, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL is seeking an assertive news producer who is ready to take that next step toward being a top newsroom manager.

You’ll help guide our news staff and manage our multi-platform news products. Excellent news judgement is needed for this fast- paced environment and multi-city market.

The successful candidate must be able to identify great stories, create urgency and showcase stories in a memorable way. You’ll partner with the rest of the newsroom management team to coach our staff to excellence on live reports, daily weather, severe weather, breaking news and the big story.

Producers who love showcasing should definitely apply for this job. We have the latest technology alongside a renovated studio and station, now we need you to make it your playground.

Applicants must have 3 to 5 years producing experience with the goal of a career in news management.

The Waterloo-Cedar Rapids-Dubuque-Iowa City market is a great place to live, by the way.

Do you like living near a college campus? We have those. Into boating, biking, snowshoeing? Maybe brew pubs are your thing? Our area has a great quality of life, and we’re located within easy driving distance from Minneapolis, Chicago and Des Moines.

KWWL is proud to be a Quincy station. Learn why our family-owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best media companies to work for at: www.quincymediacareers.com.

To apply for the Executive Producer position, e-mail your resume to:

Allison Gibson, News Director: agibson@kwwl.com

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/5/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 5/12/19)
WTLV-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/5/19)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted this week)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 5/5/19)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 4/21/19)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 5/19/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 5/12/19)
KRNV-TV, Reno, TX (listed 6/9/19)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 5/5/19)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (AM EP, listed 6/16/19)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 5/27/19)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (2 openings, listed 5/5/19)
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (AM EP, new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 5/12/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 5/19/19)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, relisted 5/5/19)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 5/5/19)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/9/19)
WHP-TV Harrisburg, PA (listed 6/2/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, new listing this week)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, 5/5/19)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/16/19)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 5/12/19)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 5/27/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (Dayside EP, listed 5/5/19)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 6/16/19, see ad above!)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (new listing this week)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (listed 6/16/19)
WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital Executive Producer, relisted this week)
WLNS-TV, Lansing MI (listed 6/2/19)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listing modified 5/5/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (PM EP, listed 6/2/19)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (PM EP, listed 6/16/19)

KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (PM EP, new listing this week)

Other News Management Openings:

Relisted this week:

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (Digital Content Manager)
WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Executive Producer)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 6/16/19:

Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (Investigative Producer, , see ad above!)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (Digital Content Mgr., see ad above!)

Listed 5/27/19:

WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Planning Manager)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital Content Mgr.)

Listed 5/19/19:

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Enterprise Executive Producer)

Obituaries:

Godfrey

A memorial service for longtime newsman ED GODFREY will be held next Sunday, June 30th, in Anchorage KY. More details in this interesting obituary. (I knew Ed for more than 30 years and learned a lot by reading it.) Ed was 88 when he died last Tuesday from complications suffered in a fall. A former news director in Atlanta, Portland, OR, and Louisville, Ed also worked in Houston and Miami. He was a past president of RTNDA and leaves behind his wife of 62 years, SUE, a daughter and a son.

Bolster

BILL BOLSTER died June 13th at the age of 75. During a long career, he ran CNBC, as well as NBC stations in New York, St. Louis, and Waterloo, IA with ratings success in each cast. He was a true character: I once interviewed for a job with him and the conversation was laced with profanity (his, not mine! And I didn’t get the job.) His full career story is contained in this obituary.

Arguello

We told you earlier of the death of JOHN ARGUELLO, who last job in a long career at WOOD-TV (Nexstar/NBC) in Grand Rapids, MI, was on the assignment desk. Not bad for a self-described high school dropout who started at the station at age 18 in the mailroom. He worked as a photographer and on the station’s I-team. I mentioned in our earlier report, while I was the news director there, one of the anchors called John the smartest man in the room. And he was right. New in this report: a detailed obituary about a terrific journalist.

Brown

And our sympathy to Meredith’s Senior VP of Content, GARY BROWN, on the death of his father, GARY WAYNE BROWN. The senior Mr. Brown died Friday, June 14, at the age of 72. He battled COPD and cancer and died a few months after celebrating his 50th wedding anniversary last year. More details here. Your kind note of sympathy can be sent to Gary at Gary.Brown@meredith.com

Names in the News (and other items):

RTDNA announced the winners of the National Edward R. Murrow Awards this week. Of note: two stations in Colorado won Overall Excellence Awards in large and small markets. Congratulations to the winners.

CHRIS PERALTA leaves The City of Brotherly Love to become the executive producer for Nashille’s WSMV-TV (Meredith/NBC). He’s also worked in Norfolk.

At Birmingham’s WVTM-TV, HUNTER STONE has been promoted to Assistant News Director from EP. She’s also worked in Knoxville (two stations), Orlando, Atlanta, and Albuquerque (not necessarily in that order!)

Asplund

40 years at one small market station? That’s the story of STEVE ASPLUND, news director and anchor for Marquette, MI’s WLUC-TV.

The Washington Post reviews an upcoming documentary on MIKE WALLACE.

General Manager News and Notes:

Howell

JAY HOWELL gets his THIRD general manager’s job at a CBS o-and-o in less than three years as he returns to the West Coast to run KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. Here’s the note from CBS boss PETER DUNN. Jay’s leaving Pittsburgh and KDKA-TV after just one year there. And he spent a little less than a year as general manger for KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento. He’s a former executive with LIN media and served as a GM in two Texas markets.

Easterly

One time news director (Cleveland and Phoenix) GREG EASTERLY returns to a FOX owned station as he’s been named GM for WJBK-TV in Detroit. He’ll replace MIKE RENDA who is retiring after serving as GM for FOUR FOX o-and-o’s: Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia and Chicago. Greg’s been working for Tribune in a variety of roles, most recently as SVP/Group Operations. More on his extensive background here.

Lamb

BILL LAMB, who’s been General Manager for Block Communications’ WRDB-TV (FOX) in Louisville since 2002, is leaving for a GM job in a top ten market. But he hasn’t said WHERE that job is. We’ll let you know when we find out. His last day in Louisville is July 5th.

Nexstar has promoted RON ROMINES to Senior VP/Regional Manager to oversee broadcast and digital operations in a variety of markets. He’s been the GM of the company’s station WTEN-TV in Albany, NY.

Toste

JENNY TOSTE is out as GM of Fresno’s PBS station, KVPT-TV after just six months on the job. A news release from the pubcaster said the board voted to ‘end her contract‘. She’s a former anchor and reporter for KSEE-TV and KGPE-TV in Fresno and spent four years as social media coordinator in the communications office for Fresno State University.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 23, 2019:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WFAA-TV 606 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WFLA-TV 200 S Parker St, Tampa, FL 33606
KTVK/KPHO-TV 5555 N 7th Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85013
KUSA-TV 500 E Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KCSO-TV 500 Media Place Sacramento, CA 95815 **
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KFMB-TV 7677 Engineer Road San Diego, CA 92111
KULX-TV 314 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 **
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd, Brown Deer, WI 53209
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33407
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WBIR-TV 1513 Bill Williams Ave. Knoxville, TN 37917
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St. Toledo OH 43604
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd Midway, FL 32343
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KCBD-TV 5600 Ave. A Lubbock, TX 79404
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Rd. NW Rochester, MN 55901
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KRTV 3300 Old Havre Hwy. Black Eagle, MT 59414
KAVU-TV 3808 N Navarro St, Victoria, TX 77901

**: Spanish language station

June 16, 2019

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Lots of quick items for you today.

Minnaugh

First, RYAN MINNAUGH has left his job as news director for Nexstar’s WFLA-TV in Tampa. He’d been there just over one year following a 2 1/2 year stint as ND for WTKR-TV in Norfolk. There, he worked with WFLA GM SKIP VALET who recruited him to Tampa. Ryan also worked in Cleveland, Denver and Indianapolis and for CNBC.

Howell

JAY HOWELL has been named GM for KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles. Here’s the note from PETER DUNN to the staff. Remarkably, it’s the THIRD CBS o-and-o GM job in less than two years for Jay, who first joined the company in August, 2017 to run KOVR-KMAX-TV in Sacramento. Last year he was dispatched to KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh (his father was a longtime GM for WPXI-TV there.

Sadly, we also have two obituaries.

Godfrey

ED GODFREY died this morning. Most of you didn’t know him, but during a long career he served as an EP in Miami and as a news director in Louisville, Portland, OR, and Atlanta. Ed also spent a year as President of (then) RTNDA. You may remember we told you recently that he fell in a Louisville grocery store.  Funeral arrangements are pending.  We’ll update this site when we have them.

Arguello

And even fewer of you knew JOHN ARGUELLO, who worked at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids when I was the ND there from 1993-1995. He died Saturday at the age of 61. As this well deserved tribute will tell you, he started in the mailroom at age 18 and worked his way up to photographer, then investigative producer and later the assignment desk.

Early in my tenure there, an anchor told me “John Arguello is the smartest man in the newsroom.” I asked why, and he said John was currently reading two books on Russian history.

That’s two more than most of us have read. And the anchor was right.

RIP Ed and John. I hope to have more on both these men in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, June 17, 2019 UDPATE:

Greetings:

THREE news director changes in top 25 markets today, along with an obituary for a former big market GM who also ran CNBC.

First, several changes at Cox owned stations.

Turnbull

MISTI TURNBULL is joining the corporate staff at Cox Media, and thus leaving her job as news director of the company’s ABC affiliate in Atlanta, WSB-TV. She’s a 20 year veteran of WSB, having started there as a producer in 1999, then rising through the ranks before being named news director in 2015. She’s also worked in Colorado Springs, Norfolk, and Denver.

Nadell

She’ll be replaced as news director at WSB by SUZANNE NADEL, currently the ND for Cox’s Pittsburgh NBC affiliate, WPXI-TV. It’s a return to WSB for Suzanne, who served as an EP there before being promoted to ND for Cox’s Tulsa station, KOKI-TV in 2013. he moved to WPXI in 2016.  Earlier she worked in Tampa, Orlando, Ft. Myers and Johnson City, TN.

Trabandt

Suzanne is being replaced at WPXI by Managing Editor SCOTT TRABANDT. Scott’s been the managing editor here since 2016. He previously worked as a producer and EP for WRC-TV in Washington, and also worked in Charlotte (at Cox’s WSOC-TV) and in Myrtle Beach, SC.

Not all the news is from Cox stations.

Wilson

There’s an ND change at Meredith’s Phoenix duopoly, KTVK/KPHO-TV. DAN WILSON has left this duopoly (KTVK is an independent, KPHO is the CBS affiliate) immediately. JAMIE IOOS is serving as the interim ND there. Dan spent 3 1/2 years as ND here, previously was an ND in West Palm Beach, and has worked for another Phoenix station and in Las Vegas.

Bolster

Finally (in what may be our longest update ever) BILL BOLSTER died last week after a year-long battle with cancer. Bill was a general manager at KWWL-TV in Waterloo, IA, then went on to success as GM for KSDK-TV (St. Louis) and WNBC-TV, the NBC flagship o-and-o in New York. He later ran CNBC. This lengthy obituary comes from his former station, KWWL.

More later this weekend!

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

It was nice to see some of you both at IRE in Houston this week and the Great Lakes EMMY Awards in Cleveland Saturday night.

Just curious. Has that event ended yet? Asking for a friend.

On to less snarky comments…we have THREE new news directors to tell you about, with TWO new openings. That brings our count of open ND jobs to 30.

ONE of those 30 openings is among our FIVE paid help wanted ads this week, including THREE new ads for jobs in Denver, Birmingham, and Waterloo, IA.

In names in the news, a new job for a former Seattle Assistant ND, a new Washington bureau chief for Nexstar, and we’ll tell you about a news director whose station hosted a blood drive, and why that was important to him.

We also have an obituary for a man who had a huge impact on television in Philadelphia.

Details about TWO new General Managers for Gray TV are below, as well.

The Kneeland Project Accepting Applications Now

Only a few days left to apply!

Applications are due this (next) Friday, June 21 for The Kneeland Project’s next session, which will be held September 11-14 in Austin, Texas.

Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for 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 19 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 21.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Saiers

KING/KONG-TV, Seattle, WA…this Tegna owned NBC duopoly has hired PETER SAIERS to replace CHERYL CARSON as news director. Details from KING’s website. He most recently has been freelancing as an EP for KGO-TV (ABC) in San Francisco after a long career working for KPIX-TV (CBS) in San Francisco. Cheryl left in January and later took a job as news director for Sinclair’s WJLA-TV (ABC) in Washington.

Koles

WROC-TV, Rochester, NY…STEVE KOLES is the new news director for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. Steve most recently worked as ND for WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH, a job he left in March after eight months. Before that he spent seven years as ND for WWMT-TV in Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids, MI. He’s also worked in Providence, Tulsa, Baltimore, and Norfolk. At WROC, Steve replaces JIM TORTORA who left in March after three years as ND.

Onofre

KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO…STACI-LYN ONOFRE has been hired as the next ND for News Press and Gazette’s KRDO-TV (ABC) in Colorado Springs. Staci-Lyn is currently the Asst. ND for WSTM-WTVH-TV, the Sinclair owned duopoly in Syracuse. She replaces MIKE RAUSCH who left to explore his entrepreneur side. after 2 1/2 years at KRDO.

New News Director Openings: 

Malave

KCSO-TV, Sacramento, CA…STEVE MALAVE has left this Telemundo station, just three months after an ownership change. The complete details are in this story from Media Moves. Steve’s been the ND here since October, 2017. He’d spent some time consulting the station before getting the ND job. Steve had been an EP for KXTV, the Tegna owned ABC affiliate in Sacramento. He’s also worked in Tampa and New York and at Mundo Fox.

Green

WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA…ANGELA GREEN has left this Lockwood Broadcast Group FOX affiliate after about 18 months as news director. Angela posted on Facebook that she’s taking a month off before starting her next new adventure, but did not say what that was. She’s been an anchor/reporter for WNCT-TV in Greenville, NC. She’s also worked in Montgomery and Birmingham and spent five years as a Communications Manager for an electric cooperative.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Investigative Producer, Rocky Mountain Public Media, Denver, CO:

Are you an outstanding investigative producer with mad data skills?

Do you want to take your work and your life to a higher level by joining a duPont-winning team in one of the hottest markets in America?

Rocky Mountain PBS in Denver is looking for you!

1. Work exclusively on long-form investigative stories that matter. Yes, our stories win awards. But more importantly, they change people’s lives.

2. Tell those stories in documentaries, podcasts, text and digital graphics with our six-person Insight with John Ferrugia team.

3. Collaborate with other media in Colorado and nationally. In addition to the statewide PBS network, we produce national pieces for PBS NewsHour and collaborate with Denver market-leader KUSA and other Tegna stations.

To learn more and apply, click here.

Digital Content Manager, WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL:

Very professional.

No drama.

#1.

Sound like a good place to work? You should apply for the Digital Content Manager position at WBRC-Fox6 News in Birmingham, AL. We’re the No. 1 Fox affiliate in the country, and the No. 1 station in the 43rd largest market. Our new DCM will be driven by urgency and ingenuity, will be a leader and a teacher, will motivate and hold the team accountable. The right candidate for this newsroom management opportunity must be a great and willing writer, have tremendous news judgement and be ready to work with our marketing and sales teams across all our digital platforms.

The WBRC Digital Content Manager will lead a team of five full-time digital content producers, plus two part-time producers. Our new DCM must have proven motivation, delegation and people management skills.

Want to know more about WBRC & Birmingham? Check this out.

Here’s where to go to apply:

Executive Producer, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL is seeking an assertive news producer who is ready to take that next step toward being a top newsroom manager.

You’ll help guide our news staff and manage our multi-platform news products. Excellent news judgement is needed for this fast- paced environment and multi-city market.

The successful candidate must be able to identify great stories, create urgency and showcase stories in a memorable way. You’ll partner with the rest of the newsroom management team to coach our staff to excellence on live reports, daily weather, severe weather, breaking news and the big story.

Producers who love showcasing should definitely apply for this job. We have the latest technology alongside a renovated studio and station, now we need you to make it your playground.

Applicants must have 3 to 5 years producing experience with the goal of a career in news management.

The Waterloo-Cedar Rapids-Dubuque-Iowa City market is a great place to live, by the way.

Do you like living near a college campus? We have those. Into boating, biking, snowshoeing? Maybe brew pubs are your thing? Our area has a great quality of life, and we’re located within easy driving distance from Minneapolis, Chicago and Des Moines.

KWWL is proud to be a Quincy station. Learn why our family-owned broadcast group has a reputation as one of the best media companies to work for at: www.quincymediacareers.com.

To apply for the Executive Producer position, e-mail your resume to:

Allison Gibson, News Director: agibson@kwwl.com

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer

News Director, KRCR-TV, Chico/Redding, CA:

If you love the outdoors, seek a low cost of living and enjoy the good life where community impact makes a difference, we want to talk with you about leading our news operation at KRCR in Chico/Redding, California.

Mark your mark with a creative, digital-first, innovative approach at the number one news operation in Northern California. We need a leader with a proven track record of developing appealing content across platforms while coaching a team to achieve at the highest levels.

KRCR is a legacy station build around a strong team and a long-standing commitment to serving the people of the Redding/Chico market. You would lead all multi-platform efforts in a news operation with a strong history of attracting and retaining the best in Northern California.

The job is open immediately. Apply by clicking here:

Assistant News Director, KRNV-TV, Reno, NV:

“The Biggest Little City” is more than a name! It’s a way of life in a news town that never stops. You’ll love the food, fun and amazing outdoors; mountains, lakes, trails, skiing, rafting and more.

We’re looking for help in leading a dynamic content center, that weaves together social, digital and broadcast news operations. You’ll help build a culture of creativity, innovation, teamwork and accountability.

You’ll need to own Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, and Original Reporting. You’ll also make editorial, production, and resource decisions daily, while helping drive the long-term plan.

Must have previous television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism preferred. Candidate must make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments. Get the full job description and apply here.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace!

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/5/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 5/12/19)
WTLV-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/5/19)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (listed 4/21/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 5/5/19)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 4/21/19)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 5/19/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 5/12/19)
KRNV-TV, Reno, TX (listed 6/9/19, see ad above!)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 5/5/19)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI (AM EP, new listing this week)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 5/27/19)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (2 openings, listed 5/5/19)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, relisted 4/21/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 5/12/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 5/19/19)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, relisted 5/5/19)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 5/5/19)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 6/9/19)
WHP-TV Harrisburg, PA (listed 6/2/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, 5/5/19)
KARK-TV, Little Rock, AR (new listing this week)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 5/12/19)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 5/27/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (Dayside EP, listed 5/5/19)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (new listing this week)
WLNS-TV, Lansing MI (listed 6/2/19)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listing modified 5/5/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (PM EP, listed 6/2/19)
KSBY-TV, San Luis Obispo, CA (PM EP, new listing this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth (relisted 3/31/19)

Other News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (Digital Content Mgr., new listing this week, see ad above!)

Listed 5/27/19:

WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Planning Manager)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital Content Mgr.)

Listed 5/19/19:

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Enterprise Executive Producer)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM Content Manager)

Listed 4/21/19:

WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital Executive Producer)

Listed 3/31/19:

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Executive Producer)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Obituary:

Klein

A Philadelphia television legend died this week. LEW KLEIN was 91, and during his career touched the lives of many people in widely different areas of television. Spend a few moments to read this obituary to learn about a very interesting life.

Names in the News (and other items):

Walker

RUSS WALKER is leaving KING/KONG-TV (Tegna/NBC) in Seattle to become the new executive editor of PA Post, the non-profit, non-partisan statewide news organization launched in September 2018 by WITF Public Media. He’s been at KING since 2011, first as online managing editor and later as EP for the investigative unit before becoming AND three years ago. He’s also worked for Politico and the Washington Post, among others.

Kauffman

DON KAUFMAN will be the next Executive Producer for Nexstar’s Washington Bureau. He previously worked for WJLA-TV in Washington and spent 14 years at KUTV/KMYU-TV in Salt Lake City serving in various roles from the assignment desk to Assistant News Director.

DEAN TRAVINSKI will take I-40 from Dallas to Little Rock to become the new Assistant News Director for KARK/KLRT-TV (Nexstar). Travinski has served as executive producer for KXAS-TV in Dallas for the last five years. He was an EP in Kansas City at KCTV before that…and has also worked for another Dallas station, and in Oklahoma City and Waco.

Platzer

Some stations sponsor blood drives. It’d be nice if more would. And this story tells you how important blood drives are for people like WJAC-TV (Johnstown, PA) News Director JIM PLATZER.

General Manager News and Notes:

Gray Television has named new general managers in Bowling Green, KY (TIM COLES) and Twin Falls, ID (KATHY SILK).

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 16, 2019:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFAA-TV 606 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KUSA-TV 500 E Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KCSO-TV 500 Media Place Sacramento, CA 95815 **
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KFMB-TV 7677 Engineer Road San Diego, CA 92111
KULX-TV 314 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 **
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd, Brown Deer, WI 53209
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33407
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St. Toledo OH 43604
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WFXG-TV 3933 Washington Rd, Augusta, GA 30907
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd Midway, FL 32343
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001 (see ad above!)
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Rd. NW Rochester, MN 55901
WGFL-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KPAX-TV 2204 Regent St, Missoula, MT 59801

**: Spanish language station

June 9, 2019

Greetings:

We’re early this week because it’s a big day for your editor. A native St. Louisian, and life long St. Louis Blues fan, I’m lucky enough to be able to go to tonight’s game six of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals, which could end tonight with a Blues win.

As sports fans know, the Blues have never won the Stanley Cup in the team’s 51 seasons. So it’s a big night in STL.

On to our normal business…we have THREE new news directors to tell you about this week, and they are all new…none have been an ND before. And there are TWO new openings. Our count of open ND jobs stands at 31.

TWO of those openings are featured among our THREE Paid Help Wanted ads.

TWO items in our Names in the News section, including an interim gig for a former New York news director, and a new job for a longtime AccuWeather executive who’s a former ND.

And a 36 year career at a small market (#201) GM is coming to an end.

All that and more below.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Renee W.

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we told you of RENEE WASHINGTON’s promotion to news director for this NBC o-and-o in an UPDATE last Thursday. Here’s the memo from GM STEVE CARLSTON to the staff. Renee’s been the Assistant ND here since last fall when she moved from KABC-TV. She’s worked for two other ABC owned station in New York and Philadelphia, as well as in Cleveland, Tampa, and Indianapolis. Renee succeeds TODD MOHKTARI who was promoted to GM of NBC’s San Diego station, KNSD-TV after seven years as ND at KNBC.

Retsinas

KGW-TV, Portland, OR…Thursday’s update also brought news of GREG RETSINAS’s promotion to ND for this Tegna owned NBC station. Greg’s worked there for five years in digital roles. His non-traditional background is detailed on his Linkedin page. Greg replaces RICK JACOBS who stepped down in April after eight years as ND and 20 at the station.  Rick and his wife are building a new home and hope to do some traveling.

Wencl

KAGS-TV, Laredo, TX Bryan/College Station, TX…ERIN WENCL will be the next news director for this Tegna owned station. Erin has been an EP at KCEN-TV in Temple, TX, and previous worked as an Assistant ND in Fargo, ND. She replaces MOLLY GARRITY who left the station in March after almost three years as ND. Molly is now working at the MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston.

New News Director Openings: 

Knopps

WTOL-TV, Toledo, OH…ANTHONY KNOPPS has left this Tegna owned CBS affiliate after not quite four years as ND. He spent the previous 12 years as the Assistant ND at cross-town ABC affiliate WTVG-TV. Anthony’s also worked in Kansas City, Albuquerque, and Cape Girardeau. His replacement will be the fifth ND in 15 years there, following a 21 year run of just two news directors, me (1983-1993) and C.J. BEUTEIN (1993-2004).

Jennifer S.

KRCR-TV, Chico/Redding, CA…JENNIFER SCARBOROUGH will end a 20+ year career with this Sinclair Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate at the end of the month. She’s leaving to spend more time with her aging parents in New Mexico. Jennifer’s been ND and anchor here since 2005, and first joined the station in 1995. More in her station bio. Learn more about this opportunity in the paid help wanted ad below.

There’s also an ad below for the ND opening at WFAA-TV in Dallas.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KRCR-TV, Chico/Redding, CA:

If you love the outdoors, seek a low cost of living and enjoy the good life where community impact makes a difference, we want to talk with you about leading our news operation at KRCR in Chico/Redding, California.

Mark your mark with a creative, digital-first, innovative approach at the number one news operation in Northern California. We need a leader with a proven track record of developing appealing content across platforms while coaching a team to achieve at the highest levels.

KRCR is a legacy station build around a strong team and a long-standing commitment to serving the people of the Redding/Chico market. You would lead all multi-platform efforts in a news operation with a strong history of attracting and retaining the best in Northern California.

The job is open immediately. Apply by clicking here:

Assistant News Director, KRNV-TV, Reno, NV:

“The Biggest Little City” is more than a name! It’s a way of life in a news town that never stops. You’ll love the food, fun and amazing outdoors; mountains, lakes, trails, skiing, rafting and more.

We’re looking for help in leading a dynamic content center, that weaves together social, digital and broadcast news operations. You’ll help build a culture of creativity, innovation, teamwork and accountability.

You’ll need to own Breaking News, Investigative Reporting, and Original Reporting. You’ll also make editorial, production, and resource decisions daily, while helping drive the long-term plan.

Must have previous television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism preferred. Candidate must make fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments. Get the full job description and apply here.

Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace!

News Director, WFAA-TV, Dallas, TX:

WFAA in Dallas/Fort Worth is looking for a creative, innovative, and experienced News Director to lead one of the most accomplished newsrooms in the country.

This industry-leading content team needs a news director with a solid track record of success.
The news director will oversee day to day editorial coverage while managing content creation and distribution on all platforms. Our ideal candidate will be strategic, have experience in digital platforms, and be a master recruiter of talent.

We are re-imagining local news in the digital age. Our next newsroom leader will develop the road map to meet the goals of both the station and the company.

To apply, please click here:

News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KHOU-TV, Houston, TX (listed 5/5/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 5/12/19)
WTLV-TV, Jacksonville, FL (listed 5/5/19)
WIAT-TV, Birmingham, AL (listed 4/21/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (listed 5/5/19)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (listed 4/21/19)
WBND-TV, South Bend, IN (relisted 5/19/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 5/12/19)
KRNV-TV, Reno, TX (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 5/5/19)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

Nexstar Washington Bureau, Washington, DC (relisted 5/5/19)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 5/27/19)
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO (2 openings, listed 5/5/19)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (PM EP, relisted 4/21/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 5/12/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 5/19/19)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (Digital EP, relisted 5/5/19)
WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 5/5/19)
WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted this week)
WHP-TV Harrisburg, PA (listed 6/2/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WFMY-TV, Greensboro, NC (AM EP, listed 5/5/19)
WWL-TV, New Orleans, LA (AM EP, 5/5/19)
WBRE-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA (listed 5/12/19)
KGUN-TV, Tucson, AZ (listed 5/27/19)
KREM-TV, Spokane, WA (Dayside EP, listed 5/5/19)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 6/2/19)
WLNS-TV, Lansing MI (listed 6/2/19)
WCTV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, listing modified 5/5/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (PM EP, listed 6/2/19)
KEYT-KCOY-KKFX-TV, Santa Barbara, CA (listed 3/31/19)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KXAS-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth (relisted 3/31/19)

Other News Management Openings:

Listed 5/27/19:

WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (Planning Manager)
WTNH-TV, Hartford/New Haven, CT (Digital Content Mgr.,

Listed 5/19/19:

WRAL-TV, Raleigh, NC (Enterprise Executive Producer)
WKRN-TV, Nashville TN (Digital Content Manager)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (PM Content Manager)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (Digital Executive Producer)

Listed 4/21/19:

WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA (Digital Executive Producer)

Listed 3/31/19:

WFXR-TV, Roanoke, VA (Digital Content Executive Producer)
KFDX-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (Digital Content Manager)

Names in the News (and other items):

Waldman

AMY WALDMAN, most recently ND for New York’s WPIX-TV, is serving as the interim director for the New York chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Amy left ‘PIX 11 (as that CW affiliate is branded) in March. She became ND there in 2015 after a one year stint as Senior Executive Producer. Amy’s also worked at Court TV, CNBC, and Fox News Channel, as well as in Buffalo and Erie, PA.

Loebig

TOM LOEBIG has a new job as the Chief Content Officer of the American Philatelic Society. Tom’s been with AccuWeather since 2005 and served as VP for Digital Media since 2012. He’s a former news director in Asheville, NC, Greensboro/High Point and Altoona, PA, and has also worked in Pittsburgh and Cincinnati.

General Manager News and Notes:

HEATHER SHEARIN is retiring after 20 years as GM of KQTV in St. Joseph, MO. She’s worked for this ABC affiliate, now owned by Heartland Media, for 36 years.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, June 9, 2019:

It’s unofficial, there may be others that are open, and some of these may have been filled. If you know of any in either category, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Verizon Fios 1 News 800 Westchester Avenue, Rye Brook, NY 10573
WFAA-TV 606 Young St, Dallas, TX 75202 (see ad above)
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KING-TV 1501 1st Ave. South, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98134
KUSA-TV 500 E Speer Blvd, Denver, CO 80203
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
KSDK-TV 1000 Market St. St. Louis MO 63101
KFMB-TV 7677 Engineer Road San Diego, CA 92111
KULX-TV 314 S Redwood Rd, Salt Lake City, UT 84104 **
KSHB-TV 4720 Oak St, Kansas City, MO 64112
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr, Columbus, OH 43215
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Avenue Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
WITI-TV 9001 N Green Bay Rd, Brown Deer, WI 53209
WPEC-TV 1100 Fairfield Dr. West Palm Beach, FL 33407
WAVE-TV 725 S Floyd St. Louisville, KY 40203
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S. Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701
WLEX-TV P.O. Box 1457 Lexington, KY 40588-1457
WTOL-TV 730 N. Summit St. Toledo OH 43604
WROC-TV 201 Humboldt St. Rochester, NY 14610
KRDO-TV 399 S. 8th Street Colorado Springs, CO 80905
WCBD-TV 210 W Coleman Blvd, Mt Pleasant, SC 29464
WTXL-TV 1620 Commerce Blvd Midway, FL 32343
KERO-TV 321 21st Street Bakersfield, CA 93301
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001 (see ad above!)
KTTC-TV 6301 Bandel Rd. NW Rochester, MN 55901
WGFL-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd Gainesville, FL 32606
WOAY-TV P.O. BOX 3001 Oak Hill, WV 25901
KPAX-TV 2204 Regent St, Missoula, MT 59801

**: Spanish language station