Rick Gevers & Associates

December 3, 2017

December 6, 2017 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A longtime news director turned general manager returns to his native state and a GM job in market #13.

Valet

Late today SKIP VALET was named General Manager of Nexstar’s Tampa duopoly, WFLA/WTTA-TV (NBC/My Network). Here’s the official news release.

Skip most recently was GM for Tribune’s WTKR-TV in Norfolk, a position he left last week. He’s spent most of his career with Post-Newsweek stations (now Graham Media). He served as GM for PNS’s WKMG-TV in Orlando, and was ND for the company’s stations in Houston, Orlando and Jacksonville. (Full disclosure: I hired Skip at WJXT-TV in Jacksonville in 1982 as a production assistant.)

He replaces…and will report to ANDY ALFORD who was promoted to a regional position for Nexstar last August.

More on all the week’s news in our full newsletter later this week.

regards,

gevers

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

Greetings:

We’re pleased to tell you that TWO news directors were promoted to GM positions this week. That’s a development that we always like to share. And…in Names in the News…we’ll tell you about a top ten market ND who’s also been named Station Manager.

Those are among the THREE newly opened ND jobs we’ll tell you about this week. And, as far as I know, there are NO newly named news directors.

Those changes bring our list of openings to 15.

We have TWO paid help wanted ads, including a new one for a producer in Indiana.

There are TWO obituaries, including one for a man who had a key role in shaping RTDNA (and television news) in the 70’s and 80’s.

And we have several news managers on the move, including a former Virginia ND who’s landed a new job in Cleveland.

All that…and more…as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors: 

I’m not aware of any.  If you are, please let me know!

New News Director Openings: 

Longo

WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL…congratulations to BOB LONGO, one of two NDs promoted to General Manager in this week’s report. Bob’s been the ND for this Cox Media owned CBS/FOX duopoly for almost four years. He spent 15 years as ND for Hearst stations in Orlando (WESH-TV) and Pittsburgh (WTAE-TV), has been an ND in Buffalo and Binghamton, NY, and worked in Hartford and Rochester, NY, where he began in radio. His promotion was one of many GM moves made by Cox this week.

Donaldson

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM…another ND gets the bump upstairs as MICHELLE DONALDSON has been named GM for this Hubbard owned NBC station. She’s been the ND here for more than four years, earlier was the ND for KRQE-TV in Albuquerque, and spent five years as ND for KPHO-TV in Phoenix. She began her career in radio in Detroit. Here’s the news release announcing her promotion. Michelle replaces MIKE BURGESS who’d been the GM here for more than 20 years.

Fulkerson

WSTM/WSTQ/WTVH-TV, Syracuse, NY…this Sinclair owned NBC/CW/CBS operation has posted an opening for a news director. My records show that RAE FULKERSON has been the ND here since 2008.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Producer, WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN:

WFFT in Fort Wayne, Indiana has an immediate opening for a strong Newscast Producer who knows how to create an extraordinary, fast paced 10pm newscast.

We are searching for a full-time newscast producer who is aggressive and passionate about local news, and maintains a positive attitude no matter the challenge at hand. The candidate must be smart in decision making and leadership in the newsroom. They must also understand how to incorporate station research and branding to deliver dynamic newscasts.

Fort Wayne is a thriving city in Northeast Indiana with an abundance of parks and recreational activities good schools community event and minor league sporting events.

Requirements:

* 4 year degree in Journalism, Communications or related field
* 2-4 years newsroom experience, with at least one year of producing
* Familiarity with ENPS
* Strong Journalistic skills and understanding of the tenants of Journalism
* Understand the focus on local content and story-telling to create a compelling newscast
* The ability to multi-task and handle the pressures of breaking news
* Excellent copy-editing skills
* Contribute to stations digital platforms throughout shift

All candidates must pass a background check and drug screen before employment.

If you meet these requirements, please submit your resume, references and reel to: rhirsch@wfft.com

The station is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and Drug Free Workplace.

Assistant News Director/Executive Producer, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL is seeking a take charge leader to help guide our news staff and manage our multi-platform news products. This manager will serve as an editorial decision maker. 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 tell/showcase stories in a memorable way for our viewers. The Executive Producer/Assistant News Director will partner with the News Director to execute a vision and strategic plan for success in daily weather, severe weather, breaking news and the big story every day while helping to manage reporters, producers, photographers, directors, and editors. Great writing skills will enhance your ability to train and lead!

KWWL is a continuous news source with an immediate deadline culture. The Executive Producer/Assistant News Director will oversee and be in constant contact with all involved in our newsgathering and delivery process.

This position requires an urgency to get stories published on our web site and social media for immediate news coverage.

Applicants must have 3 to 5 years producing experience with a strong desire to further their career in a management position.

The Waterloo-Cedar Rapids-Dubuque-Iowa City market is a great place to live with numerous colleges and universities, good quality of life and ample recreation.

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.careersatquincy.com

To apply for the Executive Producer/Assistant News Director position, e-mail your resume to, Allison Gibson, News Director, at: agibson@kwwl.com

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/15/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (listed 11/26/17, see ad above!)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (listed 10/29/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (AM EP, listed 11/5/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 11/26/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised 10/15/17)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 10/22/17)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Dayside EP, listing revised 11/26/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (relisted this week)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Nightside EP, listing revised 10/29/17)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, listed 11/19/17)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (listed 11/12/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 11/5/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 11/26/17)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/8/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/12/17)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (relisted this week)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 10/22/17)

Obituaries:

Schultz

ERNIE SCHULTZ, a one time news director in Oklahoma City who went on to become a pivotal leader in the history of RTDNA, died this week at the age of 87. He fell in his home and suffered a brain bleed. Two time RTDNA Chairman BOB PRIDDY wrote this lengthy and interesting obituary of Ernie. It’s partly a look at how television news changed in the 70s and 80s, and well worth a few minutes of your time.

KEN ROWLAND, a legendary anchor for two stations in Louisville who also served as the first news director for WLKY-TV, died this week at the age of 91. He’s also credited for hiring and mentoring DIANE SAWYER. Learn more here.

Names in the News (and other items):

Jacob

Congratulations to WJLA-TV (Washington, DC) News Director MITCH JACOB who’s assuming additional duties as station manager for this Sinclair owned ABC affiliate. Mitch has been ND here for just over three years, and has been an ND in Phoenix, Columbus, OH and Toledo. And what are those ‘additional duties’? GM DAN MELLON told the staff in this memo.

Woodard

Former WRIC-TV (Richmond, VA) News Director KELLY WOODARD is the new Assistant News Director for Scripps’ WEWS-TV in Cleveland. That’s the ABC affiliate. She left WRIC in July after almost four years as news director for that Nexstar owned station. Kelly’s also worked in New York, Dallas and Hartford/New Haven.

Boslow

KSDK-TV in St. Louis has promoted STUART BOSLOW to Assistant News Director. He’s been the Morning News Director since April, and has also worked in Dallas, San Antonio, Jacksonville, FL, and Reno. Here’s what this Tegna owned NBC affiliate posted on its website.

General Manager News and Notes:

Armstrong

After more than 20 years as General Manager of KTVB-TV (Boise, ID), DOUG ARMSTRONG will retire next March. Remarkably, the station has had only TWO general managers in 50 years. More about that and Doug’s career and accomplishments in this story from the station’s website.

And…in case you missed about item above about a new GM for Cox’s Jacksonville stations, the company named new GMs in many of their markets. It’s all explained here.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 3, 2017:

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
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
Spectrum News 2505 Atlantic Ave. #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
WJAX/WFOX 11700 Central Pkwy, Jacksonville, FL 32224
KOB-TV 4 Broadcast Plaza SW Albuquerque, NM 87104
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
WSYR/WTVH 1030 James St.Syracuse, NY 13203
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139. Great Falls MT 59403
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, MT, 59403

**: Spanish language station

November 26, 2017

Greetings:

Just 12 openings in our admittedly unofficial list of ND openings across the country.

That’s the tally after a holiday week that saw THREE jobs filled (granted, one of those five months ago!) and just ONE new opening.

We have TWO Paid Help Wanted ads for management openings at stations.

In Names in the News, TWO new EPs were named, and we also have TWO obituaries.

All that and more in this week’s report.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Amparo

KUVN-TV, Dallas/Ft. Worth, TX…RAQUEL AMPARO moves across town to become ND for this Unvision station. Raquel shared the news with friends via this post on Facebook. She has been the Managing Editor (and earlier, EP) for CBS’s KTVT there, and has also worked in Miami. Raquel replaces SAMUEL BELILTY who left in September to become ND for Univision’s Miami station, WLTV.

Glover

WNDU-TV, South Bend, IN…KATE GLOVER is the new news director for this Gray TV NBC affiliate. GM JOHN O’BRIEN sent this note to the staff. Kate most recently spent seven months as ND for Tegna’s WGRZ-TV in Buffalo. She’s been an ND in Portland, OR, and had worked in Buffalo earlier in her career as well as in Washington and San Diego. She replaces JESSICA LASZEWSKI who was only here a few months before returning to Wisconsin as ND for Gray’s WMTV in Madison.

Gray

WSAW-TV, Wausau, WI…we’re late in reporting that SARAH GRAY became the ND for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate last June. Here’s her bio from the WSAW website. She’d been an EP for a Gray sister station, WBAY-TV in Green Bay, having first joined WBAY as a producer. She replaced the above referenced JESSICA LASZEWSKI who left Wausau to become ND for Gray’s South Bend station, WNDU-TV, but only stayed a few months before returning to Wisconsin as ND for Gray’s WMTV in Madison.

New News Director Openings: 

Phillips

WMC-TV, Memphis, TN…our dearth of new openings ends this week with news that TAMMY PHILLIPS will leave Raycom’s Memphis early in December. She shared this heartfelt note with her staff. Tammy’s been the ND here for six years and was the Assistant ND here for more than ten years. She’s also worked in Little Rock, Biloxi, and Jonesboro, AR.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director/Executive Producer, KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA:

KWWL is seeking a take charge leader to help guide our news staff and manage our multi-platform news products. This manager will serve as an editorial decision maker. 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 tell/showcase stories in a memorable way for our viewers. The Executive Producer/Assistant News Director will partner with the News Director to execute a vision and strategic plan for success in daily weather, severe weather, breaking news and the big story every day while helping to manage reporters, producers, photographers, directors, and editors. Great writing skills will enhance your ability to train and lead!

KWWL is a continuous news source with an immediate deadline culture. The Executive Producer/Assistant News Director will oversee and be in constant contact with all involved in our newsgathering and delivery process.

This position requires an urgency to get stories published on our web site and social media for immediate news coverage.

Applicants must have 3 to 5 years producing experience with a strong desire to further their career in a management position.

The Waterloo-Cedar Rapids-Dubuque-Iowa City market is a great place to live with numerous colleges and universities, good quality of life and ample recreation.

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.careersatquincy.com

To apply for the Executive Producer/Assistant News Director position, e-mail your resume to, Allison Gibson, News Director, at: agibson@kwwl.com

KWWL Television, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Nightside Executive Producer, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Winter’s coming.

Tired of cold and snow?

Why don’t you come to work in sunny Florida?

WJXT-TV in Jacksonville is looking for a nightside Executive Producer to help lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. You will help manage anchors, reporters, producers, photographers and editors. Must be able to identify good stories, create leads, create urgency and create memorable moments. You will help oversee web and social media content. We need someone who can execute strategic plans while leading the presentation of content on air, online and in the world of evolving media. NOTE: All essential functions of this position are not necessarily described in this posting.

Qualifications:

Prior EP experience is a plus, but this is also a good move for an excellent newscast producer with at least five years of experience. You will be on-call as needed. Expect to work long hours, weekends and holidays as needed.

Requirements:

Prefer college degree in journalism or communications.

Contact: Send resume and newscast links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 9/24/17)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/15/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (listed 10/29/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (AM EP, listed 11/5/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted this week)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised 10/15/17)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 10/22/17)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, listed 11/12/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Dayside EP, listing revised this week)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listing modified 9/24/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Nightside EP, listing revised 10/29/17)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, listed 11/19/17, see ad above!)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (listed 11/12/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 11/5/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted this week)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/8/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/12/17)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 9/24/17)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 10/22/17)

Obituaries:

Funeral services for TOM ANTHONY were held yesterday in New Jersey. Tom, who died November 19th at the age of 63, spent more than 25 years at CNBC. He also worked in local TV in Binghamton, NY, and Portland, ME, where he was the Assistant ND at WCSH-TV before leaving to join CNBC. Here’s an obituary which will tell you more about his life, career, and family.

KEN HATCH, a former President of Seattle’s KIRO-TV, died Tuesday, November 21, at the age of 82. This obituary from the station’s website does a good job of covering his life and career, including the time he was sued by a consultant for sexual harassment.

Names in the News (and other items):

Crutcher

DELAINA GIVENS CRUTCHER joins WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH, as morning executive producer. Lots of details about Delaina in this staff memo from News Director KELLY FRANK to her staff.

At WBAY-TV in Green Bay, ADAM BEHNKE has been promoted to Executive Producer from 5:00 producer.

General Manager News and Notes:

Once again, I didn’t see any GM moves this week. Let me know if you know of any.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 26, 2017:

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
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
Spectrum News 2505 Atlantic Ave. #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
WMC-TV 1960 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38104
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139. Great Falls MT 59403
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, MT, 59403

**: Spanish language station

November 19, 2017

Greetings:

For the third straight week, we have NO new news director openings. I don’t recall that ever happening for three weeks in a row.

But we do have FOUR new news directors to tell you about. That brings out count of open ND jobs to 14.

There’s ONE new Paid Help Wanted ad for a Nightside EP job in sunny Florida.

We have an obituary for a Florida station owned who got his start as a sportwriter.

In other news, I just learned that the son of a longtime Canadian news director and anchor was among the survivors of the Las Vegas shooting. Details on that below.

And there’s lots of other items to share in Names in the News…a few news management moves, a new career in BBQ for a longtime ND, and a look back at a legendary news director as he hits his 100th birthday.

Newly Named News Directors: 

Wilhelm

KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS…KIM WILHELM has been promoted to news director for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. More here. Kim started at KWCH as a reporter in 2001, became managing editor/investigative reporter in 2010, and assistant news director in 2013. She’s been the interim ND since BRIAN GREGORY left in September to become ND for KDVR/KWGN-TV in Denver.

Hazelwood

KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO…we’re a bit tardy in reporting RYAN HAZELWOOD as the news director for this Cordillera owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release from September. Ryan most recently was the ND at KVII-TV in Amarillo, a job he left in December after 4 1/2 years. At KOAA, he replaces KELLY DUFFY who announced this summer she’d leave the station by the end of November.

Patrow

WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, WI…LISA PATROW returns to a newsroom as the ND for this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate. She’s a former ND and anchor for cross-town rival WQOW-TV, spending 12 years there before leaving in 2014 to become a ‘philanthropy specialist’ for a local hospital. The station interviewed her on-air and posted this story on its website. Lisa replaces ANDREW FEFER who left the station after 2+ years as ND.

Kimble

WJFW-TV, Rhinelander, WI…another news director change in another small Wisconsin market as LANE KIMBLE is being promoted to ND for this Rockfleet Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND here for the past 2 1/2 years in his second stint with the station. (Lane worked as a reporter in Milwaukee).

Quarderer

He replaces JOHN QUARDERER who’s been ND here for almost six years and will continue working for the station, working with young reporters.You may remember John from a 21 year stint with Magid. He also was on the faculty at the University of Missouri where he was the ND for KOMU-TV. He also was an ND in Salinas, CA, and an EP in San Francisco.

New News Director Openings: 

As noted above, we mark THREE consecutive weeks without a new news director opening. If you know of one I’ve missed, please let me know.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Nightside Executive Producer, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Winter’s coming.

Tired of cold and snow?

Why don’t you come to work in sunny Florida?

WJXT-TV in Jacksonville is looking for a nightside Executive Producer to help lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. You will help manage anchors, reporters, producers, photographers and editors. Must be able to identify good stories, create leads, create urgency and create memorable moments. You will help oversee web and social media content. We need someone who can execute strategic plans while leading the presentation of content on air, online and in the world of evolving media. NOTE: All essential functions of this position are not necessarily described in this posting.

Qualifications:

Prior EP experience is a plus, but this is also a good move for an excellent newscast producer with at least five years of experience. You will be on-call as needed. Expect to work long hours, weekends and holidays as needed.

Requirements:

Prefer college degree in journalism or communications.

Contact: Send resume and newscast links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 9/24/17)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/15/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (listed 10/29/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (AM EP, listed 11/5/17)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 9/24/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised 10/15/17)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 10/22/17)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, listed 11/12/17)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & Dayside, listing revised 10/8/17)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Weekend EP, listed 9/24/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listing modified 9/24/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Nightside EP, listing revised 10/29/17)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (Nightside EP, new listing this week, see ad above!)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (listed 11/12/17)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 11/5/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 9/17/17)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/8/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/12/17)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/12/17)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 9/24/17)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 10/22/17)

Obituary:

BERNARD WATERMAN, who founded and owned Waterman Broadcasting, died Sunday, November 12, at the age of 96. He owned both the NBC and ABC stations in Ft. Myers, among others. He began his career as a sports reporter, then bought radio stations before moving into TV. Here’s the story of an interesting life and career.

Names in the News (and other items):

Apologies to those for which this is old news, but I just learned that one of those injured in the Las Vegas shooting is the son of a longtime time Canadian News Director and anchor. SHELDON MACK survived the October 1st Route 91 Harvest shooting. More here. His father is HUDSON MACK, who worked as an anchor and news director in British Columbia and also was involved in RTDNA. Of note: older readers may remember Hudson’s brother, the late BYRON MacGREGOR, who read a patriotic commentary called The Americans that hit #4 on Billboard’s top 100 in 1973.

WTIC-TV in Hartford has a new Assistant ND. It’s SHARON BUTTERWORTH. She comes from another Hartford station, WVIT-TV where she was the EP of Special Projects. Sharon’s also worked for a third Hartford station, NECN in Boston, and for two stations in Miami.

COLLIN BISHOP has been promoted to Assistant ND for Tegna’s WGRZ-TV in Buffalo. He’s worked there for 15 years and most recently was the EP of the morning newscast. He’s also worked in South Bend.

Korioth

We promised you an update on the career plans of STEVE KORIOTH who left the ND job at WVVA-TV in Bluefield, WV, a few weeks ago. Steve tells us he’s returned to his native Texas and is the Assistant GM of a Dickey’s BBQ restaurant in a Dallas suburb. Steve spent 13 years working in TV in Dallas before moving on to ND jobs in a number of markets.

You may not know the name HANK THORNLEY, but he’s credited with developing the first TV news operation in Las Vegas. That station, KLAS-TV, profiled Hank on the occasion of his 100th birthday recently.

Our friends at Devlin Design Group have another success story…this one at WFMZ-TV in Allentown, PA. The station competes with network owned stations in Philadelphia and New York and wanted a set that matched the big boys. And they got it.

General Manager News and Notes:

I’m not aware of any moves this week.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 19, 2017:

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
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan St Ste 1900, Dallas TX 75201 **
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
Spectrum News 2505 Atlantic Ave. #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
WNDU-TV 54516 IN-933, South Bend, IN 46637
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139. Great Falls MT 59403
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, MT, 59403

**: Spanish language station

November 12, 2017

Greetings:

An amazing SIX stations filled news director jobs this week, and, to the best of my knowledge, there are NO new openings, dropping our list of open ND jobs to just 16.

TWO of those stations are CBS o-and-o’s.

FIVE of the new news directors are women.

ALL of the new hires were either promoted within a station or group or had earlier worked for the companies who just hired them.

Read into that what you will.

We have ONE ad for a major market EP openings, and some updates to our list of Other News Management Openings.

There are TWO items in Names in the News, one the retirement of a veteran Houston news manager, and there are new GMs in TWO markets.

Read on!

Newly Named News Directors: 

Wilson

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA…this was one of two CBS owned station ND positions to be filled this week: we alerted you to both in UPDATES. JOHN WILSON is the winner here. GM BRIEN KENNEDY sent this note to the staff. John’s been the interim ND since MARGARET CRONAN left in July. He first joined the station in 2003 as an EP and has been the assistant ND for the last seven years. He began his career as a reporter in Corpus Christi, and went on to work in Jackson, MS, Knoxville, Orlando, and Seattle.

Patey

WCCO-TV, Minneapolis, MN…and in this, the second of the two CBS owned ND jobs filled this week, KARI PATEY is the new ND. It’s a return to Minneapolis and WCCO for Kari, who worked both there and at KSTP-TV before moving to New York where she is currently the Assistant ND for WNBC-TV. She joined WNBC in 2005 as a producer, moved to EP and Senior EP before her ascension to Assistant ND in 2014. WCCO carried this story about her promotion. She replaces MIKE CAPUTA who left in August after six years as ND and 15 years working at WCCO.

Flynn

WZZM-TV, Grand Rapids/Kalamazoo, MI…JULIE FLYNN joins this Tegna owned ABC affiliate from Tegna’s WKYC-TV in Cleveland, where she was an executive producer. She’s spent the last 15 years in Cleveland, working at both WKYC and WEWS-TV. At WZZM, Julie replaces TAZ PAINTER. Taz was ND here for 3 1/2 years, and left in August to become ND for Tegna’s WBIR-TV in Knoxville.

Gibson

KWWL-TV, Waterloo, IA…congratulations to ALLISON GIBSON who’s the new ND for this Quincy owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release. She’s been the Assistant ND for Quincy’s WEEK/WHOI-TV in Peoria, and has also worked for News 12 New Jersey and for stations in Roanoke and South Bend. Allison replaces SHANE MORELAND who left two months ago after 3+ years here to become ND for WRIC-TV in Richmond, VA.

Ragan

Roethler

WILX-TV, Lansing, MI…BARB ROETHLER has been named ND for this Gray Television owned NBC affiliate. Barb, a veteran of the Detroit market, been the interim ND since KEVIN RAGAN suffered a stroke almost a year ago. Kevin has decided to retire to concentrate on his recovery. He’s spent 20 years as news director there. GM MIKE KING sent two emails to the staff: one announced Barb’s promotion, the other updated the staff on Kevin’s situation.

Sadiwskyj

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…LENA SADIWSKYJ returns to TV after a 2+ year hiatus in marketing. It’s also a return to Gray Television for Lena, as she takes over at this CBS affiliate. Here’s the memo from GM SPENCER BIENVENU. Lena’s last ND job was at Gray’s WVLT-TV in Knoxville. She’s also been an ND in Orlando, Tucson, Shreveport, has worked in Dallas, Phoenix, Birmingham, as well as Toronto and Halifax in her native Canada. Lena also taught at the University of Missouri School of Journalism. She replaces APRIL DAVIS who left in September after just over a year as ND.

New News Director Openings: 

Once again, I’m not aware of any new openings. We welcome your emailed tips, but are not very fond of anonymous ones. We do, however, protect our sources.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Morning Executive Producer, WJLA-TV, Washington, DC:

WJLA-TV, located in the Nation’s Capital in Washington, D.C., has an immediate opening for an energetic Morning Executive Producer for “Good Morning Washington”. This individual will be responsible for executing our vision, while also working with the assistance of other News Managers to provide the best, most interesting, informative and entertaining morning newscast. We are looking for an imaginative, focused and level headed EP who will not only lead, but bring a unique approach to the show’s production and storytelling, and who also has the know-how to win the multi-platform race.

You must have the experience and drive to not only own breaking news and weather, but to crush it! We have a large and dedicated team committed to growing our 5 ½ morning show. The new team leader must maintain our forward momentum, focus, and creative energy. The EP will work closely with the Director of News to develop and execute long-term newsroom strategy. The ideal candidate must have several years producing and at least 3-years as an EP.

Click here to learn more and apply!

Sinclair Broadcast Group is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer
and a drug free workplace!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (listed 9/24/17)
KSDK-TV, St. Louis, MO (listed 10/15/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (new listing this week)
KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND (listed 10/29/17)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WJLA-TV, Washington, DC (AM EP, listed 11/5/17, see ad above!)
KRIV-TV, Houston, TX (Evening EP, relisted 9/24/17)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (AM EP, listing revised 10/15/17)
KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 10/22/17)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (AM EP, listing revised 10/22/17)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM & Dayside, listing revised 10/8/17)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Weekend EP, listed 9/24/17)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listing modified 9/24/17)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Nightside EP, listing revised 10/29/17)
WRGB-TV, Albany/Schenectady, NY (new listing this week)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 11/5/17)
KWCH-TV, Wichita, KS (AM EP, relisted 9/17/17)
KCCI-TV, Des Moines, IA (listed 10/8/17)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (new listing this week)
WISC-TV, Madison, WI (AM EP, relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 9/24/17)

ASSIGNMENT MANAGER:

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 10/22/17)

Names in the News (and other items):

WSLS-TV in Roanoke has a new Assistant News Director. JOSH BEAUCHAMP, a morning Executive Producer from sister station WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, heads north and will start in mid-December.

McFarland

Longtime KPRC-TV (Houston) news manager RICK McFARLAND will retire at the end of the year. He’s currently Senior EP for this Graham Media owned NBC affiliate. In his 30+ year career at KPRC, he’s also been the Assistant ND and spent almost two years as ND there. Not bad for someone who started as a sports photographer! Rick’s also worked in Syracuse and for another Houston station, and in Columbia, MO, where we were classmates at Missouri. Friends can wish him well via an email to: rickm@kprc.com

General Manager News and Notes:

Two GM moves this week.

In Kansas City, CHUCK PODUSKA has been named GM of Meredth’s KCTV. He’s been the Vice President of Finance for Meredith’s Local Media Group but earlier spent 15 years as business manager at KCTV. He replaces MIKE CUKYNE who was GM for about three years.

And LARRY FORSGREN adds the GM duties to his job at Scripps’ KMTV in Omaha. He’s been the Director of sales there since last year.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 12, 2017:

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
KUVN-TV 2323 Bryan St Ste 1900, Dallas TX 75201 **
WUSA-TV 4100 Wisconsin Ave NW Washington DC 20016
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTSP-TV 11450 Gandy Blvd, St. Petersburg, FL 33702
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
Spectrum News 2505 Atlantic Ave. #102, Raleigh, NC 27604
KWCH-TV 2815 E. 37th Street North, Wichita, KS 67219
KOAA-TV 2200 7th Ave., Pueblo, CO 81003
WCSC-TV 2126 Charlie Hall Blvd, Charleston, SC 29414
WNDU-TV 54516 IN-933, South Bend, IN 46637
WSAW-TV, 1114 Grand Ave., Wausau, WI 54403
WVVA-TV 3052 Big Laurel Highway, Bluefield WV 24701
KECI-TV 340 W. Main St., Missoula, MT 59802
KFBB-TV P.O. Box 1139. Great Falls MT 59403
KRTV P.O. Box 2989, Great Falls, MT, 59403

**: Spanish language station