Rick Gevers & Associates

March 5, 2023

Greetings:

Up, Up, and Away…that’s both the title of a hit song by the 5th Dimension…and the count of open news director jobs as there are FOUR new openings this week, THREE in top ten markets.

With NO jobs filled, the count of open ND jobs raises to 36.

We have ONE Paid Help Wanted ad this week…for a Digital ND job at a family owned operation in sunny Florida.

We have an obituary for a two-time long ago Pittsburgh ND.

In Names in the News, the VP of Content (think corporate ND) for a family owned media company is leaving, and we’ll tell you about a reunion at America’s first black owned TV station.

There’s a big change at Hearst, as the current TV President moves to President of the entire company and is replaced by a one-time local TV sportscaster (who was COO of Hearst TV).

We’ll also tell you about TWO new GMs for small market Texas stations.

And there’s just ONE week left to selection Sunday for the NCAA basketball tournament. I would advise you to bet against my picks.

Newly Named News Directors:

Again this week, no jobs were filled. If I’ve missed something, please let me know!

New News Director Openings:

Renee W.

KNBC-TV, Los Angeles, CA…Monday’s UPDATE reported the departure of RENEE WASHINGTON after almost four years at this NBC o-and-o. She was the Assistant ND here before being bumped up, had held the same AND job at KABC-TV in Los Angeles, and had worked at ABC owned stations in Philadelphia and New York, as well as stations in Cleveland, Tampa and Indianapolis.

Luviano

WZDC-TV, Washington, DC…JANETTE LUVIANO is leaving this Telemundo/NBC owned Spanish language station. She’s worked there for eight years, the last 5 1/2 as ND. More on her background via her Linkedin page. I’m told she’s starting a consulting business, working with universities to empower young journalists.

Rigby

WXIA-TV, Atlanta, GA…our Thursday UPDATE told you that JENNIFER RIGBY is leaving this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. She’s joining Gray’s in-house research and consulting unit as a Senior News Consultant. The move reunites Jennifer with the head of that unit, CHRIS ARCHER: they worked together at SmithGeiger. Jennifer’s been at WXIA for eight years and has had ND jobs at three other stations, and worked in others as you’ll learn here.

Dodd

WMBD/WYZZ-TV, Peoria, IL…LAWTON DODD has left this duopoly after one year as a news director. He previously spent 22 years as ND for Hearst’s KSBW-TV in Salinas/Monterrey, CA…and seven months as ND for KVAL-TV in Eugene, OR. He’s also worked in Norfolk and Wichita. Nexstar owns WMBD (CBS) and operates WYZZ (FOX).

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Digital News Director, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers/Naples, FL:

If you’re looking for a digital content leadership role without the layers of big corporate interference WINK-TV is your next career highlight.

This unique position as Digital News Director will allow you to build your team and work in an environment where content is taken seriously and local ownership allows you freedoms you don’t find with large media groups.

Surrounded by three television stations, 14 radio stations, a high-end luxury magazine and a Southwest Florida business publication you will have a dominant media and journalism empire to play in.

Don’t forget your beach attire when you join us in Ft. Myers/Naples!

Click here to learn more about this unique opportunity!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/12/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, listed 2/19/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 1/29/23)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/5/22)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/12/23)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 2/25/23)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/22/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/22/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City (listed 2/25/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WNYT-TV, Albany, NY (listed 2/12/23)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 2/25/23)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 2/19/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/19/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 1/22/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 1/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (listed 1/29/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/23)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 1/22/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 3/5/23:

WINK-TV, Ft,. Myers, FL (Digital News Director, see ad above!)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital News Manager)

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program)

Listed 1/9/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituary:

Williams

VICTOR BYRON WILLIAMS, or BY as everyone called him, died last Sunday, February 26th. He was 94 and succumbed to Alzheimer’s disease. He twice held the news director’s job for Pittsburgh’s WPXI-TV during a long career there. Many more details about By’s life and career in this obituary.

Names in the News:

Spessard

TODD SPESSARD, Vice President of Content for Oklahoma’s Griffin Communications, will leave the company this week after 12 years. He first joined at ND for Griffin’s KWTV in Oklahoma City. Told told me the decision was mutual and he is already looking at other opportunities. Full disclosure: Todd worked for me at WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids and went on to several other ND jobs as described on his Linkedin page.

Recently, alums of the country’s first black owned television station, WGPR-TV in Detroit, gathered for a reunion. Details in this story.

General Manager News and Notes:

Significant changes atop the leadership ranks at Hearst. JORDAN WERTLIEB has been upped to President of Hearst from his current job as President of Hearst Television. MICHAEL HAYES replaces Wertleib as Presdient of Hearst TV. A former TV sportscaster, Hayes is currently COO for Hearst TV.

Argo

LOGAN ARGO has been promoted to general manager for Sinclair’s KVII-TV in Sherman, TX. He had been the sales manager there since 2018.

ROBERT DYER moves within Tegna to become general manager for the company’s KCEN/KAGS-TV, NBC affiliates across several markets in Texas. He’s currently the marketing director for Tegna’s WCNC-TV (NBC) in Charlotte.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, March 5, 2023:

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

KNBC-TV 100 Universal City Plaza, Bldg 2120 Universal City, CA 91608
KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WMAQ-TV 454 N. Columbus Dr. Chicago, IL 60611
WXIA-TV One Monroe Place NE Atlanta, Georgia 30324
WZDC-TV 4001 Nebraska Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016
KIRO-TV 2807 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
KMGH-TV 123 E. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WYFF-TV 505 Rutherford St. Greenville, SC 29609
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
KNWA-TV 609 W. Dickson St. Suite 300, Fayetteville AR, 72701
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
WMBD/WYZZ TV 3131 N. University, Peoria, IL 61604
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

February 26, 2023

Thursday, March 2, 2023 UDPATE:

Greetings:

Gray Television continues to grow its in-house research and consulting group by hiring a veteran newswoman…and one-time SmithGeiger consultant.

Rigby

JENNIFER RIGBY, who’s been the news director for Tegna’s WXIA-TV (NBC) in Atlanta for more than eight years, is leaving to join Gray’s new unit. Details in this news release.

Jennifer is a former ND for Cox’s WSB-TV in Atlanta, as well as for Cox stations in Pittsburgh and Dayton. She’s also worked in Phoenix, Salt Lake City, and Fresno, as well as for The Weather Channel and (as mentioned) SmithGeiger.

More Sunday in our full report.

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, February 26, 2023 UPDATE:

A large market news director is leaving her job.

Washington

RENEE WASHINGTON is leaving KNBC-TV in Los Angeles a few months short of her fourth anniversary as ND there. She had been the assistant ND for a few months before, having crossed the street from KABC-TV where she held the same job. Renee had earlier worked for ABC owned stations in Philadelphia and New York, as well as in Cleveland, Tampa, and Indianapolis.

That leaves TWO Los Angeles network owned stations with news director openings. Fox owned KTTV has had a vacancy since ERICA HILL-RODRIGUEZ left last June.

Also, we misspelled BELVA DAVIS’s first name in yesterday’s newsletter. Apologies. Consider this a reminder to watch Sunday’s CBS Sunday Morning’s report on this trailblazing journalist.

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

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

THREE new openings this week, with NO jobs filled to the best of my knowledge. Along with some edits to our list of openings (explained below), the count now stands at 32 stations with ND openings.

Sadly (at lease for my bank account) no paid help wanted ads this week. Email me for details if you’d like to reach the most targeted audience for news managers.

In Names in the News, the hardest working man in TV news may soon retire, but he produced a great story this week about how to cover mass shootings like the one in Orlando which claimed the life of a Spectrum 13 news reporter.

No obituaries this week and just ONE GM change.

Finally, we don’t often cover newspapers and what they are doing, but I was struck by a front page editorial in today’s Las Vegas Review Journal. The newspaper, frustrated as many have been by denial of open records requests, is launching an occasional series of reports called “What are they hiding?” Executive editor GLENN COOK cites examples and pledges to more aggressively report on agencies that are refusing to follow the law.

I wish them well.

Newly Named News Directors:

To my knowledge, no jobs were filled this week. If I’ve missed something, please let me know!

New News Director Openings:

Zak

WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA…SARAH ZAK has left this Nexstar owned NBC/FOX duopoly after not quite 1 1/2 years on the job. She’s a former news director in Ft. Myers, where she spent 3 1/2 years at Scripps FOX affiliate WFTX-TV, and earlier worked for Scripps stations in both Cincinnati (WCPO-TV) and Tampa (WFTS-TV).

Gaito

WLNE-TV, Providence, RI…ALLISON GAITO has left this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate after almost one year on the job. Allison’s a former EP for KTRK-TV in Houston who had earlier worked at another Providence station. Allison’s replacement will be the FOURTH news director in less than two years here.

Brence

KNWA/KFTA-TV, Fayetteville, AR…after more than 21 years at this Nexstar owned NBC/FOX operation (the last 6+ as news director), LISA BRENCE is leaving the business. She began at KNWA in 2001 as a producer while still a student at the Univeristy of Arkansas, and advanced to executive producer and later became the Assistant News Director.

We have made edits to our list below of stations with ND openings, adding WMAQ-TV (NBC owned) in Chicago, and removing KALB-TV in Alexandria, LA

Due to editing errors, we did not add WMAQ after FRANK WHITAKER retired at the end of the year. The station is looking for an SVP/News.

And we failed to remove KALB from the list after ALLIE PURSER was named ND there some time ago.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

No Paid Help Wanted ads this week. If you want to drum up interest in your management openings, please let me know: rick@rickgevers.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/12/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, listed 2/19/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 1/29/23)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/5/22)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/12/23)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (relisted 2/25/23)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/22/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/22/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City (listed 2/25/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WNYT-TV, Albany, NY (listed 2/12/23)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 2/25/23)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 2/19/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/19/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 1/22/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 1/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (listed 1/29/23)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (listed 2/25/23)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 1/22/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program)

Listed 1/9/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituaries:

No obituaries this week.

Names in the News:

Tompkins

He may be retiring next month (as we told you in a Tuesday UDPATE) but the hardest working man in television journalism is still teaching and coaching. AL TOMPKINS posted this well worth your time story, suggesting ways to differentiate your coverage of the Orlando murder of Central Florida News 13 reporter DYLAN LYONS (and the inevitable next mass shooting.)

Davis

Worth watching: A CBS Sunday Morning profile of pioneering black television journalist BELVA DAVIS which aired this morning. Click here if you havent’ seen it. The story is reported by CBS’s BILL WHITAKER who is one of many who counts her as a mentor and role model.

Nexstar’s KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO, filled its open Assistant ND position by hiring HARRISON KEEGAN. He’s been an editor and ‘content coach’ for the Springfield News-Leader.

Rosenthal

Former Boston, San Francisco, and Indianapolis news director LEE ROSENTHAL has a new job. Lee writes: I was hired as Vice President, Head of Marketing and Communications for HPS Investment Partners, a leading global credit investment firm with nearly $100 billion in assets under management. I left the industry in 2017 for a digital marketing and communications role with global asset manager Franklin Templeton Investments.

Finally, we don’t often venture into movie news, but the new movie Cocaine Bear is loosely based on a true story that was big news in Lexington, KY way back when. WKYT-TV in Lexington interviewed longtime ND KEN KURTZ and others who covered the original story.

General Manager News and Notes:

Connor

Just ONE General Manager change this week. Sinclair has promoted SUSAN CONNOR to VP/GM for its Fresno, CA, operations, KMPH/KFRE-TV. She’s been the GM at the company’s KTVL-TV in Medford, OR. Susan earlier had been a GM at WHBQ-TV in Memphis and worked in Seattle and Albuquerque.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 26, 2023:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
WMAQ-TV 454 N. Columbus Dr.Chicago, IL 60611
KIRO-TV 2807 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
KMGH-TV 123 E. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WYFF-TV 505 Rutherford St. Greenville, SC 29609
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WLNE-TV 10 Orms St. Providence, RI 02904
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
KNWA-TV 609 W. Dickson St. Suite 300, Fayetteville AR, 72701
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

February 20, 2023

Tuesday, February 21, UPDATE:

Greetings:

A very well known figure in our industry is retiring.

Tompkins

AL TOMPKINS will leave his home of the last 25 years, The Poynter Institute, at the end of March. Much more about Al and his career in this appreciation by KELLY McBRIDE, the senior Vice President of Poynter. Al joined Poynter after 14 years at WSMV-TV in Nashville, where he began as a reporter and finished as news director.

I’m sure that almost everyone reading this newsletter has benefited from Al’s efforts, whether in their newsroom, a regional conference, or a national one. I know I’ve always enjoyed…and learned…when I attended and listened to him.

Al says he will still do some occasional teaching.

More in our full newsletter on Sunday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

A relatively slow week, with TWO new news directors named during the past seven days. And there are TWO new openings, ONE created by the upcoming retirement of a veteran ND. Thus, our list of openings remains at 29.

There’s just ONE paid ad this week. We do, however, welcome the return of Stringr as an annual advertiser. Their support helps make this effort possible. Return the favor by clicking on their ad just below.

We have an obituary for a long ago Pennsylvania ND and some corrections for TWO obituaries we shared last Sunday.

And just THREE items in Names in the News…a thought provoking column from former GM and consultant HANK PRICE, the retirement of a one-time Toledo ND who spent most of his career as a reporter and anchor in Columbus, OH, and swap of small market stations between Gray and Marquee Broadcasting.

I hope you have a great week!

Newly Named News Directors:

Perkins

WYMT-TV, Hazard, KY…after one year as a producer (following several years as a print journalist), JENNIFER PERKINS has been promoted to ND here. The staff note from GM NEIL MIDDLETON is here, and Jennifer’s staff bio is here. STEVE HENSLEY, who has been both ND and anchor, will transition to become anchor and Managing Editor for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate.

Mahon

WJRT-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI…SEAN MAHON has been promoted to news director for this Allen Media owned ABC affiliate. Here’s the news release. Sean’s been the Assistant ND here since October, spent five years as an ND in Cadillac, MI, and also was Managing Editor for Spectrum News in Wisconsin. He began as a photographer and worked for three Detroit stations. Sean replaces DENISE KILLIAN who returned to Wichita as the ND for KWCH-TV after three years as ND here.

New News Director Openings:

Bonilla

WNEP-TV, Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA…RACHEL BONILLA  has left this Tegna owned ABC affiliate after about 18 months as news director. Before joining WNEP, Rachel worked in a variety of places as you’ll learn with a simple click on her Linkedin page.

Frank V.

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK…longtime multi-market news director FRANK VOLPICELLA is retiring after 43 years in our business, the last three at this Cox owned Fox affiliate. Frank tells me he will move to be close to family in Dallas, near where he spent many years as the ND for KVUE-TV in Austin. He’s also been a news director in Atlanta, Lexington, and Huntsville, and worked in Tampa, Oklahoma City, and Jacksonville (twice).

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/12/23, see ad above!)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 1/15/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KIAH-TV, Houston, TX (AM/Special Projects EP, listed 2/19/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 1/29/23)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/5/22)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/12/23)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/22/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/22/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 2/19/23)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WNYT-TV, Albany, NY (listed 2/12/23)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 2/19/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 2/19/23)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (relisted 2/19/23)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 1/22/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (relisted 2/19/23)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 1/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (listed 1/29/23)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 1/22/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program)

Listed 1/9/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituaries:

Baum

JERRY BAUM, a onetime news director for WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA, died Friday, February 10th, after a brief illness. He was 88. During his 31 years at WBRE, he also served as anchor, sports anchor and reporter, until he retired in 1992. After serving in their Navy, Jerry worked at KING Radio in Seattle before moving to Pennsylvania. Much more about his life and career in this obituary.

And we have two corrections to obituaries we reported last week. Beloved Seattle newsman BOB THRONDSEN worked for KOMO-TV for 34 years, not KIRO-TV as we told you. And GINNY GINTHER’s (mother of newsman MARK GINTHER) husband’s name was DENNY, not DANNY. Apologies to all.

Names in the News:

Ramos

TINO RAMOS, a one-time news director for WNWO-TV in Toledo who spent most of his career reporting and anchoring for WBNS-TV in Columbus, OH, is retiring. He was the ND for WNWO in the early 90’s before heading south to Columbus where he spent almost 30 years as an anchor/reporter, much of it on the morning shift. The station’s report on his departure is here.

Price

In a column that first appeared in TVNewsCheck.com website, former general manager and consultant HANK PRICE wonders if new GMs are getting enough training before moving into the top job. And I suggest the same might be true for many new news directors.

Gray Television and Marquee Broadcasting are swapping two small market TV stations.

General Manager News and Notes:

As far as I know there were NO general manager changes this week. If you are aware of something I’ve missed, please let me know.

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 19, 2023:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KIRO-TV 2807 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
KMGH-TV 123 E. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WYFF-TV 505 Rutherford St. Greenville, SC 29609
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd. Moosic, PA 18507
KOKI-TV 2625 S Memorial Dr. Tulsa, OK 74129
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

February 12, 2023

Greetings:

I am sure many of you had a super weekend, especially those who rooted for Kansas City,

Certainly the TWO people who got new news director jobs this week did. Along with TWO new openings, our list stations looking for a new ND remains at 29.

ONE of those openings is among FOUR Paid Help Wanted ads, including ads for an EP job in Washington, producers (from remote locations!) for a national news magazine, and a new ad for an EP job in West Virginia.

There are way too many items in the obituary section. We’ll tell you about the deaths of a former ND, the mother of a well known former ND, as well as a well respected legend in the Seattle market, and new information about the death of an ABC network EP and the sad sidebar about the arrest of his wife.

FIVE local stations won DuPont Columbia Awards..we have the link to the news releases on each winner. And a well-travelled EP gets a new job, but in this case well-travelled as a different meaning.

All this and more below.

Newly Named News Directors:

Kay

WGAL-TV, Lancaster, PA…as it often does, Hearst filled the open ND job here from within, promoting KRISTIN KAY. She’s currently the Assistant ND for another Hearst NBC affiliate, WLWT-TV in Cincinnati. She’s also worked in Minneapolis, Seattle, San Diego and Bakersfield. Kristin replaces ERIC NAZERENUS whose 23 year career here (the last two as ND) ended at the end of 2022. He’s now the ND for WBRE/WYOU-TV in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, PA.

Chu

KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX…he’s BACK. I speak of HENRY CHU, who’ll be the next ND for this Nexstar operation. I say he’s back because the last time Henry was mentioned here, it was an April 2021 item noting his retirement from WBKO-TV in Bowling Green, KY, after 14 years as news director, one of four ND jobs he held. Henry replaces ADAM P. BRADSHAW who died suddenly earlier this year at the age of 62.

New News Director Openings:

Glover

KCTV, Kansas City, MO…the ever spinning merry go round at this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate kicked out another ND this week, as KATE GLOVER left after just one year. Her replacement will be the TENTH ND in just 13 years. (As we’ve noted before, most of the changes came under Meredith ownership.) Kate’s a former ND for Gray’s South Bend, IN, station WNDU-TV where she spent four years. And she was an ND in Portland, OR, and Buffalo. Here’s more on her career.

Franklin

WYFF-TV, Greenville, SC…AKILI FRANKLIN moves within Hearst to become the company’s first director, news management recruitment. She’s been the ND for this NBC affiliate since 2020, earlier was the ND for Hearst’s WDSU-TV in New Orleans, and worked for Hearst stations in Birmingham and West Palm Beach. This job essentially fills the void left by the retirement of TOM DOLAN, whose firm, Dolan Media Managment, helped Hearst with management recruiting.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KMIZ-TV, Columbia-Jefferson City, MO:

KMIZ-TV, in Columbia-Jefferson City, Mo., has an immediate opening for a news director. This is your chance to work for a family-owned company committed to doing news the right way and live in one of the nicest cities in the Midwest.

The ABC 17 News team is a well-oiled machine driven by an aggressive, focused brand. We invest in top tier consulting, research and talent development. The company provides the staff resources and support to succeed in this competitive market. We need a hands on news director who is crazy about coaching both veteran and young journalists.

Columbia offers a tremendous quality of life as a college town in the heartland. It is also a short drive from Kansas City, St. Louis and Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks. There’s a terrific trail system here and tons of options for the active lifestyle. We have the draw of big-time college athletics, the popular culture of world renowned film and music festivals plus the cultural opportunities a major university provides. Dining and nightlife are top notch for a city this size.

The News-Press Gazette Company (NPG) is family-owned with a steep tradition in serving its community through various newspaper and broadcast holdings. It is a diverse company with an eye to the future that includes maintaining its portfolio of 10 television markets. It is large enough to provide its stations the latest industry services to keep them competitive but small enough to offer a great degree of autonomy at its individual stations.

Please apply here!

Producers, Gray Television, Remote Locations:

Gray Television has an opportunity for producers who are creative writers and big thinkers looking to break out of the mold of daily news. We are launching a new national daily news magazine and we’re looking for producers to join our team. This is a new show being developed by Gray Television and a chance to join a team producing the next wave of syndicated programming for the company.
The daily show will include elements from InvestigateTV as well as original editorial content and stories culled from Gray stations. This new M-F show will air on all 113 Gray television stations.

The ideal Producer candidate will be a creative writer with a strong editorial background and a knack for showcasing.

This will NOT be a newscast. No breaking news. No weather. You will focus on journalism and showcasing long-form storytelling. We see the show as a journey across America through the lens of in-depth storytelling focusing on holding the powerful accountable, informing consumers and profiling the American experience.

Want to learn more? Follow this link!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (listed 2/12/23, see ad above!)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (relisted 1/15/23)
WROC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 1/15/23)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 12/18/22)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News 12 Long Island, Bethpage, NY (listed 1/15/23)
News 12 Edison, NJ (Spec. Projects. Prod., listed 1/15/23)
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listing revised 1/8/23)
KGO-TV, San Francisco, CA (listed 1/29/23)
WTTG-TV, Washington, DC (listed 2/5/22, see ad above!)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 2/12/23)
KDVR/KWGN-TV, Denver, CO (listed 12/26/22)
KXTV. Sacramento, CA (listed 1/15/23)
WTVD-TV, Durham, NC (listed 1/29/23)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (relisted 1/22/23)
WRTV, Indianpolis, IN (relisted 1/15/23)
WXIN/WTTV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 1/22/23)
WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN (relisted 1/15/23)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City (relisted 1/15/23)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/4/22)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 1/15/23)
WTIC-TV, Hartford, CT (relisted 1/15/23)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (relisted 1/15/23)
WAVY/WVBT-TV, Norfolk, VA (relisted 1/15/23)
WWL-TV, New Orleans (AM EP, listed 1/15/23)
WNYT-TV, Albany, NY (listed 2/12/23)
WATE-TV, Knoxville, TN (AM EP, listed 2/12/23)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 1/22/23)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (Digital EP, listed 2/12/23)
WLTX-TV, Columbia, SC (PM EP, listing modified 1/15/23)
WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY (relisted 12/11/22)
KRGV-TV, Weslaco, TX (AM EP, relisted 11/6/22)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (relisted 1/15/23)
KTAL-TV, Shreveport, LA (Digital EP, listed 1/15/23)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (listed 12/11/22)
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC (listed 1/22/23)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (Digital EP, relisted 1/15/23)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (listed 12/11/22)
KETK-TV, Tyler, TX (listed 1/29/23)
WKBT-TV, La Crosse, WI (listed 1/29/23)
WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL (relisted 1/15/23)
KSNT-TV, Topeka, KS (Digital EP, listed 1/22/23)
KFDX/KJTL-TV, Wichita Falls, TX (listed 1/22/23)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTMJ-TV, Milwaukee, WI (listed 1/15/23)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 2/5/23:

Gray Television, Remote (Producers for Magazine Program, see ad above!)

Listed 1/9/23:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX (Livestream Producer)
KSTU-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Assignment Desk Manager)

Obituaries:

Shafer

Former News Director DON SHAFER died February 4th at the age of 74. He had suffered from diabetes and other ailments. Don was twice an ND for different stations in San Diego, and also ran newsrooms in Peoria, Flint, and Oklahoma City and worked in a number of other markets. After his 2015 retirement, he returned to his native Colorado where he worked as Supervisor of Video Productions for the Pueblo school system, A memorial service will be held at a later date.

Throndsen

A beloved Seattle newsman, BOB THRONDSEN, died in his sleep February 4th. Bob was 75. He worked at KOMO-TV for 34 years, first as a reporter before becoming Managing Editor and finishing as ND for KOMO Radio. The TV station aired this eight minute obituary, well worth your time to learn more about a terrific story teller and mentor to many. After retirement, Bob wrote for a local (Edmonds, WA) online news site which remembered him in this nice column.

Tejera

There’s new information on the death of ABC News’ THIS WEEK EP DAX TEJERA, whose passing we told you about a few weeks ago. He died December 23 of what was reported to have been a heart attack. Now a report from the New York medical examiner’s office shows he choked while intoxicated. And his wife was arrested on child endangerment charges for leaving their children in a hotel when she went to the hospital where Dax was being treated.

Ginny Ginther

GERRY GINTHER, mother of MARK GINTHER, died last Sunday at the age of 78. Mrs. Ginther worked a a nurse and is survived by her husband of 58 years, DENNY GINTHER, in addition to Mark and four siblings. We told you just a few weeks ago that Mark was joining SmithGeiger after four years as Director of News Content and Operations for Sinclair. He’s a former ND in Dallas, Seattle, and Des Moines and also worked in Minneapolis. Your kind note would reach Mark here.

Names in the News:

Five local stations were honored with DuPont Columbia Awards this week.

Here’s the news release from each of the winners:

KXAS-TV, Dallas for Paper Tag Nation, a report on security lapses at the Texas Department of Motor Vehicle.

Tegna had two winners, WXIA-TV in Atlanta for The Reveal, a look at Georgia’s Child Welfare system, and KARE-TV in Minneapolis for The Gap: Failure to Treat, Failure to Protect…a year long series of stories about suspects deemed mentally incompetent to stand trial are released without proper supervisioin. Learn more about each in this news release.

WTVF-TV, Nashville, TN for Revealed, a look at politics on Tennessee Capitol Hill

WBRZ-TV, Baton Rouge, LA for Hidden Evidence, an investigation into misconduct at the Louisiana State Police.

Great journalism by each of the winners.

Nelson

WDJT-TV, Weigel’s CBS affiliate in Milwaukee, has a new executive producer. It’s BEN NELSON, who last held the same position for KOAT-TV (Hearst/ABC) in Albuquerque, a job he left last September after five plus years. He’s had a very unusual journey since then, as you’ll learn in this note to staff from WDJT ND JESSIE GARCIA. Ben’s also worked in Cedar Rapids, Rochester, MN, and began in radio in Everett, WA.

General Manager News and Notes:

Gray Television promoted ROBBY THOMAS to GM for its Columbia, SC, NBC affiliate, WIS-TV. He’s been the GM for Gray’s WTVY-TV in Dothan, AL. VALERIE RUSSELL will replace Robby at WTVY, where she has been the General Sales Manager. More on both moves here.

Mennie

Updating an item from last week, when we told you that ROB MENNIE had left his job as GM for Tegna’s WTLV-WJXX-TV in Jacksonville. Social media posts report that Rob retired last November and moved to Maryland. You’ll remember that Rob was once ND for Tegna’s WUSA-TV in nearby Washington, DC and was a longtime employee of Tegna (nee Gannett).

Our List of Open News Director jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, February 12, 2023:

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

KTTV 1999 S. Bundy Dr. Los Angeles CA 90025
KIRO-TV 2807 3rd Ave. Seattle, WA 98121
KMGH-TV 123 E. Speer Blvd. Denver, CO 80203
WOIO/WUAB-TV 1717 E. 12th Street, Cleveland, OH 44114
WBNS-TV 770 Twin Rivers Dr. Columbus, OH 43215
KCTV 4500 Shawnee Mission Pkwy. Fairway, KS 66205
KVUE- TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WYFF-TV 505 Rutherford St. Greenville, SC 29609
WWMT-TV 590 West Maple St. Kalamazoo, MI 49008
KSEE/KGPE-TV 5035 E McKinley Ave. Fresno, CA 93727
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Rd. Madison, WI 53719
WJRT-TV 2302 Lapeer Rd. Flint MI 48503
KHGI-TV 1078 25 Road Axtell, NE 68924
KMIZ-TV 501 Business Loop 70 E., Columbia MO 65201 (see ad above!)
KQDS-TV 2001 London Road Duluth, MN 55812
KMID/KPEJ-TV 1550 West I-20 Odessa TX 79763
WJET-TV 8455 Peach Street Erie, PA 16509
WGFL/WNBW/WMYG-TV 1703 NW 80th Blvd. Gainesville, FL 32606
KALB-TV 605 Washington Street; Alexandria, LA 71301
WBUP/WKBP-TV 1705 Ash Street Suite 5 Ishpeming, MI 49849
WGEM-TV 513 Hampshire. Quincy, IL 62301
WWNY-TV 120 Arcade St. Watertown, NY 13601
KGNS-TV 120 W. Del Mar Blvd. Laredo TX 78041
KMVT-TV 1100 Blue Lakes Blvd North, Twin Falls, ID 83301
Delta News 837 Washington Ave Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E Street Eureka, CA 95501
KYOU-TV 820 West 2nd Street; Ottumwa, IA 52501
KNOP-TV 402. S. Dewey. North Platte NE 69101

**: Spanish language station

**: Spanish language station