Rick Gevers & Associates

May 8, 2010

May 12, 2010 UPDATE:

Cardenas

Congratulations to JOHN CARDENAS, news director of WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH, who’s been promoted to General Manager of sister-Dispatch Broadcasting-owned WTHR-TV, the NBC affiliate here in Indianapolis.  John’s been the ND at WBNS for eleven years, and previously had been an ND for KPHO-TV in Phoenix.  He’s also worked in Portland, OR, San Diego and Norfolk.

At WTHR, he replaces JIM TELLUS, who died suddenly in March.  Jim, of course, was also a former ND.

More on this…and all the week’s changes…in our next update later this week.

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Greetings:

After a few slow weeks, we have a fair amount of activity to report this week.  That activity includes the unusual moves of two news managers leaving newspapers for TV news management jobs.

There are  TWO new news directors to introduce to you, while we have  THREE new openings, including one in a top ten market.  That brings our total of open news director jobs to 19.

Hey!

Are you tired of what seems to be a never ending winter?

I am.

Want to be a news director in sunny Florida?

I don’t.

But if you do, be sure to check out our paid ad for an ND job on Florida’s Suncoast.  That’s below, along with another ad for an Assistant ND job in the Emerald City (Seattle, WA, if you weren’t sure).

Also this week, an obituary for a long-time anchor and reporter who once served as an ND in Indiana.  And we have news of a new Assistant ND in Kansas City.

All that…and more…following this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

Kaull

WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV…APRIL KAULL assumes additional duties as News Director for this West Virginia Media Holdings owned CBS affiliate.  She’s also VP of News Operations for the company, and is the EP and anchor for the company’s statewide newscast.  She replaces LEEZA GLAZIER who left the station in March to become morning EP for WTEV/WAWS-TV in Jacksonville, FL.

KGMB/KHNL-TV, Honolulu, HI…MARK PLATTE‘s first job in television will be as ND of this Raycom-owned duopoly.  But he’s no stranger to news or Honolulu.  Mark is currently the Senior VP and Editor of The Honolulu Advertiser. He’s also worked for the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the Miami Herald, The Orange County Register, and The Los Angeles Times. He’s been with the Honolulu paper for ten years.  Mark replaces CHRIS ARCHER who’s joining the SmithGeiger consulting firm based in Los Angeles, where his wife has just taken a job in news promotion for KABC-TV.

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

New England Cable News, Boston, MA…TOM MELVILLE has resigned as ND of this Comcast owned cable news operation.  He’s been at NECN for 17 years and has been the ND for more than a year.

WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL…this ABC affiliate (assigned to the Tampa market) is looking for a News Director to replace JASON WILDENSTEIN, who’s taking on new responsibilities as Interactive Operations Director for the Broadcast Division of station owner Calkins Media.  Jason’s been ND here for about a year.  More details on this opportunity in the paid ad below.

KLDO-TV, Laredo, TX…FREDDIE SERRANO has left this Entravision-owned Univision affiliate.  He’s been ND there for about two years.

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HELP WANTED ADS:

NEWS DIRECTOR, WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL:

ABC 7 WWSB-TV Sarasota, FL is searching for an experienced and motivated News Director to lead our news department in service to the residents of Florida’s Suncoast.

The ideal candidate will be able to clearly communicate and execute a news brand plan that emphasizes the importance of journalism, quality content, and compelling storytelling with high production values.  Must possess knowledge of news technical operations and have a vision for the digital future.  A leader with strong coaching and staff development skills, candidates should have the ability to implement systems and maintain a positive newsroom culture where employees are encouraged to excel.

Broadcast Journalism degree and at least 5 years of a proven track record in television news management experience required.  The position reports to the Vice President and General Manager.

E-mail resume, cover letter and salary requirement to jwhitson@wwsb.tv or send them to:

Jeff Whitson
WWSB-TV
1477 10th Street
Sarasota FL 34236

Include a link to video examples of your work, or include a DVD.

ABC 7 is an equal opportunity employer.

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

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR, KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Must help manage a staff of highly qualified broadcast and web Journalists in a very successful newsroom.

Candidate must have extensive experience in broadcast newsrooms including at least five years as a newsroom manager. Must have very strong editorial judgment and copy editing skills. Candidate will be directly responsible for ensuring that daily content is effectively produced and promoted across all platforms. This includes KOMO-TV, KOMOnewsradio, KOMOnews.com, KOMOnews neighborhood sites, Facebook and Twitter.  We are looking for a creative thinker who has fully embraced multi-platform journalism and can help brainstorm innovative ways to interface all mediums.  Daily job duties will include overseeing the assignment desk to make sure we are working efficiently and aggressively with daily and breaking news. We are looking for an idea person who can contribute to the editorial meetings. Must be a team player with strong people skills.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Coordinate content across all platforms
• Enhance KOMO News coverage and brand on social media platforms
• Supervise  Assignment Desk
• Brainstorm Sweeps stories and maintain sweeps calendar
• Help with script approval
• Help plan and coordinate large projects like elections

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. in Broadcast Journalism or related field preferred.
• MINIMUM 5 years experience as broadcast manager.
• Well-rounded knowledge of social media platforms.
• Excellent news writing, editing and production skills.
• Must be inquisitive, innovative, energetic, flexible and open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Working knowledge of computers.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to multi-task and supervise newsroom personnel

TO APPLY:

(Please reference job #1093 and send resume with cover letter, video link or DVD.  DVD will not be returned)

KOMO-TV
Attn: Human Resources
140 Fourth Ave N.
Seattle WA 98109

Email: jobs@fsci.com, Fax: 206.404.4155.

NO CALLS PLEASE

**KOMO Television is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

OTHER NEWS MGMT. OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (listed 4/30/10, see ad above!)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/12/10)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 3/27/10)
WDSU-TV, New Orelans, LA (listed 4/23/10)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (listed 4/9/10)
News 12 New Jersey (AM EP, listed 3/12/10)
KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)
KTVT-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (Special Projects EP, listing revised 4/18/10)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted this week)
KPTV, Portland, OR (two openings, one is EP/Special Proj., listing revised 1/29/10)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 4/23/10)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (listed 3/27/10)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (relisted this week)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (AM EP, listed 3/27/10)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/5/10)
KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/19/10)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (listed 4/30/10)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 3/5/10)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 4/2/10)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 4/23/10)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)

MANAGER OF CONTENT PRESENTATION:

WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 3/05/10)

NEWS OPERATION MANAGER:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/27/10)

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

OBITUARY:

One time Evansville, IN, News Director…and longtime anchor/reporter…JON ESTHER died last Saturday, May 1, at the age of 72.  Jon anchored or reported in Chicago, Minneapolis, Milwaukee, Des Moines, Louisville and Cincinnati, where he replaced the legendary AL SCHOTTELKOTTE on the 11:00 PM news.  More on his career and his family in this obituary.

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

NAMES in the NEWS:

Akagi

KSHB-TV, the Scripps-owned NBC affiliate in Kansas City, has named BRETT AKAGI as its new Assistant News Director.  It’s a return to Kansas City for Brett, who’d worked at WDAF-TV in Kansas City earlier in his career.  He’s currently the Senior Video Producer for the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, a job he’s held since leaving KARE-TV in Minneapolis two years ago, where he was Director of Photography.  Brett’s also worked in Topeka and Great Bend, KS.

Two corrections from last week’s Names in the News.  BILL DOBILAS is Supervising Producer of the Morning News for WAGA-TV in Atlanta.  And BRIAN NEAL works at KPIX-TV in San Francisco, not KRON-TV. Apologies.

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

Here’s our list of all the stations currently looking for an ND, as of Friday, May 7, 2010.

If you know of any changes, additions, corrections, or deletions, please let me know via email:  rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx NY 10473
KVEA-TV, 3000 W. Alameda Ave.             Los Angeles, CA 91523 ***
New England Cable News 160 Wells Ave. Newton MA 02459
KIAH-TV, 7700 Westpark Dr.             Houston, TX 77063
WXYZ-TV   20777 W. 10 Mile Road           Southfield MI 48037
WWSB-TV, 1477 10th St.,                        Sarasota, FL 34236 (see ad above!)
KUVS-TV   1710 Arden Way                         Sacramento CA 95815 ***
KDKA-TV,  One Gateway Center,               Pittsburgh, PA 15222
WZTV-TV   631 Mainstream Drive             Nashville TN 37228
WAVY-TV, 300 Wavy St.                              Portsmouth VA 23705
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Avenue                Greensboro NC 27405
WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.                   Albany, NY 12204
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                    Toledo OH 43615
WJHL-TV 338 E. Main St.                           Johnson City TN 37601
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                           Macon GA 31208
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.           West Monroe LA 71292
KJCT-TV 8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81505
KLDO-TV 226 Bob Bullock Loop Laredo TX 78040 ***
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                Laredo TX 78045

*** (Spanish language)

May 1, 2010

Greetings:

Just   ONE new ND opening in this week’s report, and, for the second week in a row, we’re not aware of any newly named NDs.  (I was told that one appointment would be announced today but have been unable to confirm it.)

That leaves this week’s count of open ND jobs at 18.

While we may lack news of ND comings-and-goings, not so for news of news managers.  We have quite a few updates in our Names in the News section.

And we have two new news management openings, including one for an Assistant ND job in a top 15 market.  There are lots of details about that opening in a paid ad below.

And we’re repeating the obituary for a Maryland ND who died last week at the age of 42 after a stroke.

All that, plus an unusual request for any network morning show producers reading this, following this week’s change.

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

None that I know of.  As always, we welcome your emails about changes/deletions/additions, etc.

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

KJCT-TV, Grand Junction, CO…KARLA SHOTTS has resigned as ND for this News Press & Gazette owned ABC affiliate.  She’s leaving to pursue other opportunities, but will stay at the station through the May rating period.  Karla has been ND here since December 2006, and has also worked in Orlando, Rapid City, SD, Missoula, Pocatello, Decatur, and Colorado Springs.

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

HELP WANTED AD:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR, KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA

GENERAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

Must help manage a staff of highly qualified broadcast and web Journalists in a very successful newsroom.

Candidate must have extensive experience in broadcast newsrooms including at least five years as a newsroom manager. Must have very strong editorial judgment and copy editing skills. Candidate will be directly responsible for ensuring that daily content is effectively produced and promoted across all platforms. This includes KOMO-TV, KOMOnewsradio, KOMOnews.com, KOMOnews neighborhood sites, Facebook and Twitter.  We are looking for a creative thinker who has fully embraced multi-platform journalism and can help brainstorm innovative ways to interface all mediums.  Daily job duties will include overseeing the assignment desk to make sure we are working efficiently and aggressively with daily and breaking news. We are looking for an idea person who can contribute to the editorial meetings. Must be a team player with strong people skills.

SPECIFIC DUTIES:

• Coordinate content across all platforms
• Enhance KOMO News coverage and brand on social media platforms
• Supervise  Assignment Desk
• Brainstorm Sweeps stories and maintain sweeps calendar
• Help with script approval
• Help plan and coordinate large projects like elections

QUALIFICATIONS:

• B.A. in Broadcast Journalism or related field preferred.
• MINIMUM 5 years experience as broadcast manager.
• Well-rounded knowledge of social media platforms.
• Excellent news writing, editing and production skills.
• Must be inquisitive, innovative, energetic, flexible and open to new ideas and new ways of doing things.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Working knowledge of computers.
• Strong writing skills.
• Ability to multi-task and supervise newsroom personnel

TO APPLY:

(Please reference job #1093 and send resume with cover letter, video link or DVD.  DVD will not be returned)

KOMO-TV
Attn: Human Resources
140 Fourth Ave N.
Seattle WA 98109

Email: jobs@fsci.com, Fax: 206.404.4155.

NO CALLS PLEASE

**KOMO Television is an Equal Opportunity Employer

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

OTHER NEWS MGMT. OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KOMO-TV, Seattle, WA (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/12/10)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 3/27/10)
WDSU-TV, New Orelans, LA (listed 4/23/10)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (listed 4/9/10)
News 12 New Jersey (AM EP, listed 3/12/10)
KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)
KTVT-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (Special Projects EP, listing revised 4/18/10)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listing revised 1/29/10)
KPTV, Portland, OR (two openings, one is EP/Special Proj., listing revised 1/29/10)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, listed 4/23/10)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (listed 3/27/10)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 2/5/10)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NC (AM EP, listed 3/27/10)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/5/10)
KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/19/10)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (new listing this week)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 3/5/10)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 4/2/10)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 4/23/10)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)

MANAGER OF CONTENT PRESENTATION:

WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 3/05/10)

NEWS OPERATION MANAGER:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/27/10)

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

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

OBITUARY:

DAWN MITCHELL

1968-2010

Funeral services will be held tomorrow (Saturday, May 1, 2010) for DAWN MITCHELL, the ND at WMDT-TV in Salisbury, MD.  Dawn died Saturday, April 24, of a stroke at the age of 42.  She’d worked at this NBC affiliate for more than 20 years and had been the ND for at least nine years.  She’s survived by her husband and two daughters.  Her station has this story on its website, while the newspaper obituary is here.  (If the newspaper ran a news story on her passing, I was unable to find it.)

Our sympathy to her family, co-workers, and friends.

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NAMES in the NEWS:

A federal judge in Portland, OR,  ordered one-time news director JEFF ALAN released on his own recognizance at his arraignment last Friday (April 23. 2010) on charges of fraud and making false statements.  Alan, a former ND in Portland, Houston, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, and several smaller markets was arrested April 22.  The case is scheduled to go to trial in June.

JOHN WILSON, EP at Philadelphia’s KYW-TV, has been promoted to Assistant News Director there.  KYW is a CBS o-and-o.

One-time ND BILL DOBILAS is now the Supervising Producer for the morning news for WAGA-TV, the FOX o-and-o in Atlanta.  He most recently worked for WHBQ-TV in Memphis.  Bill’s also worked in Norfolk, Knoxville, and Chattanooga, where he was the ND for the FOX affiliate there.

BRIAN NEMITZ is the new Nightside EP at Miami’s WTVJ-TV.  He’ll oversee the 7:00 and 11:00 PM newscasts for this NBC o-and-o.  Brian has been an EP for WEAR-TV in Pensacola, and has also worked in Grand Rapids, MI, and Eau Claire, WI.

The new EP for Scripps’ Kansas City NBC affiliate is LaQUNTA DIXON.  She most recently was the Assistant ND for WHAS-TV in Louisville.

BRIAN NEAL returns to North Carolina as he’s been named EP for WGHP-TV in Greensboro/High Point.  That’s the LocalTV owned FOX affiliate.  Brian has been working for KPIX-TV in San Francisco as a producer.  He’s also worked at WXII-TV in Winston-Salem and his wife was graduated from Wake Forest University.

Our apologies to old friend DICK NELSON whose current assignment we botched in our report on his impending retirement last week.  The correct call letters for the news operation Dick oversees at Kansas University are KUJH.

Finally, an unusual request for any network morning show producers among our readership.  If you would be receptive to a story pitch of a profile of an amazing individual who’s a leader among animal conservation, please send me an email at: rick@rickgevers.com

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Here’s our list of all the stations currently looking for an ND, as of Friday, April 30, 2010.

If you know of any changes, additions, corrections, or deletions, please let me know via email:  rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx NY 10473
KVEA-TV, 3000 W. Alameda Ave.             Los Angeles, CA 91523 ***
KIAH-TV, 7700 Westpark Dr.             Houston, TX 77063
WXYZ-TV   20777 W. 10 Mile Road           Southfield MI 48037
KUVS-TV   1710 Arden Way                         Sacramento CA 95815 ***
KDKA-TV,  One Gateway Center,               Pittsburgh, PA 15222
WZTV-TV   631 Mainstream Drive             Nashville TN 37228
WAVY-TV, 300 Wavy St.                              Portsmouth VA 23705
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Avenue                Greensboro NC 27405
WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.                   Albany, NY 12204
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave.                            Huntington WV 25701
KGMB/KHNL-TV 420 Waiakamilo Rd. # 205  Honolulu HI 96817
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                    Toledo OH 43615
WJHL-TV 338 E. Main St.                           Johnson City TN 37601
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                           Macon GA 31208
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.           West Monroe LA 71292
KJCT-TV 8 Foresight Dr. Grand Junction, CO 81505
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                Laredo TX 78045

*** (Spanish language)

April 23, 2010

April 27, 2010 UPDATE:

Dawn Mitchell

Funeral services will be held this Saturday (May 1, 2010) for WMDT-TV (Salisbury, MD) News Director DAWN MITCHELL, who died Saturday after a stroke.  She was 42 years old.

Dawn worked at WMDT for 22 years, and was ND for much of that time at this ABC affiliate.  She had a role in launching hundreds of careers.

Dawn is survived by her husband, Freddie, and two daughters.

The station paid tribute in this story, while the local newspaper obituary is here.  Both stories contain funeral details and memorial information.

Our sympathy to Dawn’s family, co-workers, and friends.

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

Greetings:

Just  ONE new ND opening to tell you about this week, with  NO new NDs to report.  However, we are removing one opening from the list, which we’ll explain below.

That leaves our count of open ND positions at  17.

There are several new news management openings in our list.  And we have several interesting items in Names in the News, including the arrest of a former ND on federal fraud charges.

We also have details about the impending retirement of a longtime educator who’s taught at both Missouri and Kansas.

All that and more after this week’s changes:

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

None that I know of.  As always, we welcome your emails about changes/deletions/additions, etc.

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

Lewis

KIAH-TV, Houston, TX…we told you earlier this week that KYANN LEWIS is leaving this Tribune-owned CW affiliate to become VP of Lifestyle Content for Fisher Broadcasting.  KyAnn has been ND here since August, 2008, and previously served as ND for WHNS-TV in Greenville, SC.  Her husband, J.L. WATKINS is also joining Fisher as Director of Digital Content.  KyAnn and J.L. met when both worked at KPTV in Portland, OR, when TROY McGUIRE was the ND there, and this move means they’ll be working with Troy again.  We told you last week that Troy has been named VP of Digital Content for Fisher.

Please note that we’ve also removed WFFF-TV in Burlington, VT, from the list of stations with open news director positions.  GM VIC VETTERS told me that he has divided those responsibilities among two existing managers already on the staff at this Smith Media owned FOX affiliate.

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

OTHER NEWS MGMT. OPENINGS:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/19/10)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 2/26/09)
WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/12/10)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 3/27/10)
WDSU-TV, New Orelans, LA (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (listed 4/9/10)
News 12 The Bronx/Brooklyn, NY (listed 1/8/10)
News 12 New Jersey (AM EP, listed 3/12/10)
KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)
KTVT-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (Special Projects EP, listing revised 4/18/10)
KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listing revised 1/29/10)
KPTV, Portland, OR (two openings, one is EP/Special Proj., listing revised 1/29/10)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 2/26/10)
WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, new listing this week)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (listed 3/27/10)
WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 2/5/10)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NC (AM EP, listed 3/27/10)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (PM EP, listed 2/19/10)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/5/10)
KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/19/10)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 3/5/10)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 4/2/10)
WLNS-TV, Lansing, MI (new listing this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)

MANAGER OF CONTENT PRESENTATION:

WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 3/05/10)

NEWS OPERATION MANAGER:

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/27/10)

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

NAMES in the NEWS:

Alan

JEFF ALAN, who’s been a news director in Houston, St. Louis, Portland, OR, Memphis, and several other markets, was arrested yesterday (Thursday, April 22, 2010) on federal charges of fraud and making false statements.  The charges involve accusations that Alan has used false social security numbers.  Lots more details (and links to an earlier investigation) in this article from The Oregonian.

GREG SHEPARD is moving west to become Managing Editor for KCRA-TV, the Hearst station in Sacramento.  Greg’s currently the Assistant ND for Hearst’s WDSU-TV in New Orleans.  Greg rejoins ANZIO WILLIAMS, the ND at KCRA.  They worked together in New Orleans when Anzio was ND there, as well as in Charlotte at WCNC-TV, when Anzio was the Assistant ND there.

Archer

Soon-to-be-former Honolulu news director CHRIS ARCHER will join SMITHGEIGER as a consultant, based in Los Angeles.  Chris is leaving KGMB/KHNL in Hawaii after the May book.  He was ND there for four years, and previously worked for KRON-TV in San Francisco.  Chris’ wife recently took a job in marketing for KABC-TV in Los Angeles.

There are two new management hires at KTVX-TV in Salt Lake City.  SHAWANA PERRY has been named Assistant ND for this Newport Television owned ABC affiliate. She’s currently an EP at WFSB-TV in Hartford and has also worked in Providence and Springfield, MA.  And MATT GEPHARDT has been named Brand Manager for the news product there.  Matt’s been working at KUTV in Salt Lake City since 1998, most recently as EP of Special Projects, where he’s worked with his father, longtime KUTV consumer reporter BILL GEPHARDT.

Nelson

Finally, congratulations and best wishes to an old friend, former ND and longtime educator DICK NELSON who is retiring at the end of May.  Dick’s been working for Kansas University for the past 14 years, overseeing KUJH-TV.  Earlier in his career, Dick was both ND and anchor for KOMU-TV, the NBC affiliate owned by the University of Missouri.  He’s also been an ND in Wichita, Asheville, NC, and Cedar Rapids, IA, and also worked as an Assistant ND in Kansas City and as a reporter in Oklahoma City.  Dick plans to move to Indonesia where he worked for a year in the mid-90’s.  It’s safe to say that Dick has worked with hundreds, if not thousands, of journalists over the years.  If you’re one of them, wish him well via email at: dnelson@ku.edu

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

Here’s our list of all the stations currently looking for an ND, as of Friday, April 23, 2010.

If you know of any changes, additions, corrections, or deletions, please let me know via email:  rick@rickgevers.com

News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx NY 10473
KVEA-TV, 3000 W. Alameda Ave.             Los Angeles, CA 91523 ***
KIAH-TV, 7700 Westpark Dr.             Houston, TX 77063
WXYZ-TV   20777 W. 10 Mile Road           Southfield MI 48037
KUVS-TV   1710 Arden Way                         Sacramento CA 95815 ***
KDKA-TV,  One Gateway Center,               Pittsburgh, PA 15222
WZTV-TV   631 Mainstream Drive             Nashville TN 37228
WAVY-TV, 300 Wavy St.                              Portsmouth VA 23705
WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Avenue                Greensboro NC 27405
WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.                   Albany, NY 12204
WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave.                            Huntington WV 25701
KGMB/KHNL-TV 420 Waiakamilo Rd. # 205  Honolulu HI 96817
WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                    Toledo OH 43615
WJHL-TV 338 E. Main St.                           Johnson City TN 37601
WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                           Macon GA 31208
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.           West Monroe LA 71292
KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                Laredo TX 78045

*** (Spanish language)

April 19, 2010

April 20, 2010 UPDATE:

There’s a new opening in a top ten market to tell you about.

Lewis

KYANN LEWIS is leaving KIAH-TV, the Tribune-owned CW in Houston, to become VP of Lifestyle Content for Fisher Broadcasting.  She’ll be based in Orlando.  The move reunites Kyann with TROY McGUIRE, Fisher’s VP of Digital Content.  The two worked together at KPTV in Portland, OR, when Troy was the ND there.  That’s also where she met her husband, J.L. WATKINS, who’s been hired as Director of Digital Content for Fisher.  Kyann’s been ND at KIAH since August, 2008.  She’s also been ND for WHNS-TV in Greenville, SC.

More in the next full edition of our weekly newsletter, later this week.

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Greetings:

I enjoyed seeing many of you (more than last year, to be sure) at this past week’s RTDNA conference.  Hopefully I’ll see many more of you at the next RTDNA conference, September 25-28, 2011, at the Sheraton New Orleans.

We have only  ONE new news director to report this week, and, to the best of my knowledge,  NO new openings.  That leaves our count of open ND jobs at  17.

But we have some interesting items in Names in the News, including promotions for two veteran news managers, some management hires to report, and we’re re-running an ad for an Executive Producer for the Weather Channel.  And we have an obituary for a long-time ND in some major markets.

All that and more after this week’s change:

NEW NEWS DIRECTORS NAMED:

Templeman

KMTR-TV, Eugene, OR…MATT TEMPLEMAN is taking on additional duties for this Newport-owned NBC affiliate.  He will continue as an anchor there, and replaces ROB McMICHAELS who has left the station after eight years as ND.  Matt’s been at the station since 2003.

NEW NEWS DIRECTOR OPENINGS:

None, to my knowledge.  Please share any news you have with me via email at: rick@rickgevers.com

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HELP WANTED AD:

Executive Producer, The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA

We are recruiting for a seasoned news professional to join our team at The Weather Channel.  Responsibilities would include managing a team of producers, associate producers and talent.

Mid-to-Large market or network experience preferred.

Excellent oral/written communication, and organizational skills, with ability to meet daily deadlines.

Forward a letter of interest and resume to:

Rashida Jones
Director, Live Programming
The Weather Channel
300 Interstate North Parkway
Atlanta, GA 30339

Or email: rjones@weather.com

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OTHER NEWS MGMT. OPENINGS:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
KYW-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 3/19/10)

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 2/26/09)

WLWT-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 3/12/10)

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (listed 2/12/10)

WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 3/27/10)
EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER: 
The Weather Channel, Atlanta, GA (listed 4/9/10, see ad above!)

News 12 The Bronx/Brooklyn, NY (listed 1/8/10)

News 12 New Jersey (AM EP, listed 3/12/10)

KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)

KTVT-TV, Ft. Worth/Dallas, TX (Special Projects EP, listing revised this week)

KXTV,    Sacramento, CA (PM EP, listing revised 1/29/10)

KPTV, Portland, OR (two openings, one is EP/Special Proj., listing revised 1/29/10)

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (AM EP, listed 12/26/09)

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 2/26/10)

WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (listed 3/27/10)

WOAI-TV, San Antonio, TX (listed 2/5/10)

KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NC (AM EP, listed 3/27/10)

WGHP-TV, Greensboro/High Point, NC (PM EP, listed 2/19/10)

WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (listed 3/5/10)

KGBT-TV, Harlingen, TX (listed 3/19/10)

WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (listed 3/5/10)

WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 4/2/10)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (PM EP, listed 3/27/10)
MANAGER OF CONTENT PRESENTATION:
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 3/05/10)
NEWS OPERATION MANAGER:
KCBS/KCAL, Los Angeles, CA (listed 3/27/10)
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OBITUARY:
Beavers
PAUL BEAVERS died April 10th after a battle with pancreatic cancer.  He was 70 years old.  Paul was an ND in, Chicago (WMAQ-TV),  Cleveland (WKYC-TV), and San Diego (KUSI-TV) during a long career in TV news.  He also worked in Los Angeles and Omaha.  More details in this obituary.
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NAMES in the NEWS:
Congratulations to two newsies who’ve been promoted by Fisher Broadcasting.
McGuire
TROY McGUIRE has been named to the newly created position of VP of Digital Content.  He first joined Fisher as VP of News in 2007, has served as GM of the company’s Bakersfield duopoly, and most recently has been VP of Fisher Interactive as well as VP of News.  Troy’s a former ND in Portland (OR) and Reno.
Gauntt
HOLLY GAUNTT assumes Troy’s duties as VP of News for Fisher. She’ll continue as ND of the company’s largest station, KOMO-TV in Seattle.  Holly’s been the ND at that ABC affiliate since 2007, and also oversees the company’s Seattle newsradio station, KOMO Newsradio. Before Seattle, Holly spent three years as ND for WTXF-TV in Philadelphia, the FOX o-and-o there.  She’s also worked in Washington, Baltimore, Denver, Oklahoma City and New Orleans.
CARLOS HOPKINS returns to Texas as the new Morning EP for KTVT-TV, the CBS o-and-o in Ft. Worth/Dallas.  He previously has worked in Dallas and Houston.  Carlos has been the 11:00 producer for another CBS o-and-o, WFOR-TV in Miami.  The move reunites him with KTVT ND ADRIENNE ROARK who had earlier been the ND at WFOR.
KOAT-TV in Albuquerque has hired BEN FISHER as its new Executive Producer.  Ben is currently an EP at KJRH-TV in Tulsa.
Former ND GREGG PALERMO returns to his home town of Rochester, NY, as the new morning producer for WHAM-TV.  Gregg spent two years as ND for KRCG-TV in Jefferson City, MO.  He’s also worked in Minneapolis, Ft. Myers, and Victoria, TX.
Some RTDNA items:  MARK KRAHAM of WHAG-TV in Hagerstown, MD, assumed the role of Chairman.  KEVIN BENZ of News 8 Austin was elected chairman-elect, while DAVID LOUIE of KGO-TV and CHIP MAHANEY Director of Digital Content for E.W.Scripps Television were elected Directors at Large.
Priddy
Congratulations to old friend BOB PRIDDY who was honored at last week’s RTDNA conference.  In addition to being named the winner of the John Hogan award for service to the organization, a new award, the Bob Priddy Award, was unveiled and will be given to board members who exemplify Bob’s distinguished and consistent service to RTDNA.  Your email of congratulations will reach him at: bpriddy@learfield.com
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Here’s our list of all the stations currently looking for an ND, as of Sunday, April 18, 2010.
If you know of any changes, additions, corrections, or deletions, please let me know via email:  rick@rickgevers.com
News 12 Bronx/Brooklyn 930 Soundview Ave. Bronx NY 10473

KVEA-TV, 3000 W. Alameda Ave.             Los Angeles, CA 91523 ***

WXYZ-TV   20777 W. 10 Mile Road           Southfield MI 48037

KUVS-TV   1710 Arden Way                         Sacramento CA 95815 ***

KDKA-TV,  One Gateway Center,               Pittsburgh, PA 15222

WZTV-TV   631 Mainstream Drive             Nashville TN 37228

WAVY-TV, 300 Wavy St.                              Portsmouth VA 23705

WFMY-TV 1615 Phillips Avenue                Greensboro NC 27405

WTEN-TV   341 Northern Blvd.                   Albany, NY 12204

WOWK-TV 555 Fifth Ave.                            Huntington WV 25701

KGMB-TV 420 Waiakamilo Rd. # 205     Honolulu HI 96817

WNWO-TV   300 S. Byrne Rd.                    Toledo OH 43615

WJHL-TV 338 E. Main St.                           Johnson City TN 37601

WFFF-TV   298 Mountain View Dr.         Colchester VT 05446

WMGT-TV   PO Box 4328                           Macon GA 31208

KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Rd.           West Monroe LA 71292

KGNS-TV   120 W. Delmar Blvd.                Laredo TX 78045
*** (Spanish language)