Rick Gevers & Associates

July 4, 2016

Tuesday, July 5, 2016 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Two moves of note today, one involving a large market network owned station, the other involving a veteran news director who’s about to take (by my count) his 12th ND job.

Mitchell

JONATHAN MITCHELL has left KNTV, the NBC o-and-o in San Jose/San Francisco. He’s been the news director there for 6 1/2 years, and previously had been an ND in Spokane and Toledo. He’s also worked in Cincinnati and Medford, OR.

Boxx

And PERRY BOXX is moving to a new job with Quincy Media. Perry’s currently the news director at Quincy’s WSJV-TV in Elkhart/South Bend but is moving to sister station WEEK-TV in Peoria. Quincy also operates WHOI-TV in Peoria, which is owned by Sinclair. He’s been the ND at WSJV for more than two years, and has also been an ND in Columbus, GA, Madison, WI, Charleston, SC, Savannah, Oklahoma City, Kalamazoo-Grand Rapids, Birmingham, Nashville, Corpus Christi, and Las Vegas, and has also worked in Little Rock and St. Louis.

We’ll have more in our full report later this week.

regards,

Rick Gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:

I hope you had a pleasant holiday.

TWO new ND openings in this week’s delayed-by-the-holiday report, including ONE created by an ND being upped to a GM job, which we always like to see. And the ONE newly named ND is the result of a current ND being bumped to a corporate role, replacing a veteran newswoman who is retiring.

That means we now have 29 ND openings by our always unofficial count, ONE of which is featured in a Paid Help Wanted ad below. We also have an ad for a competition to honor a great consumer finance report which includes a cash award and a trip to the EIJ Conference.

Also this week…a longtime Los Angeles news manager is retiring. There’s a new job for a former Arkansas news director, and we have an article looking at the difficulty in hiring news managers.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

WTAE-TV, Pittsburgh, PA…congratulations to news director JUSTIN ANTONIOTTI who’s being promoted to General Manager of sister-Hearst stations WPTZ-TV/WNNE-TV in Plattsburgh, NY, and Burlington, VT. The local newspaper has more. Justin’s been the ND here since late 2012, and previously served as ND for Hearst’s WYFF-TV in Greenville, SC. He’s also worked in Houston, Milwaukee, Memphis, and Biloxi. Some of our more, uh, senior readers will remember Justin’s father, STEVE, who worked as an ND in Los Angeles, St. Louis, and Oklahoma City, and as a GM for two stations in Detroit.

WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH…POLLY VAN DOREN is leaving this Sinclair owned ABC/FOX duopoly on July 8th. This memo from General Manager LISA BARHORST explains that Polly is going to look for opportunities closer to her native Missouri. Polly’s been the ND here for about 2 1/2 years. She spent about 1 1/2 years as an ND in Buffalo and almost 18 years as the ND for KOLR-TV in Springfield, MO. She also worked as an anchor and reporter in Evansville and Paducah.

Also, please note the new help wanted ad for the news director opening at KRDO-TV in Colorado Springs. We reported last week that JENE NELSON was leaving her job at that ABC affiliate.

Newly Named News Directors:

Reed

KWTV, Oklahoma City, OK…a series of changes at this family owned CBS affiliate to tell you about. Veteran newswoman JOYCE REED, who held the title of VP of Content is retiring. TODD SPESSARD has been promoted to replace Joyce, while NATHAN ELLIOTT is being promoted to fill Todd’s old position as Director of PM Content. This news release from the company explains the changes.

Spessard

Joyce joined KWTV as ND in 1995, shortly before the Murrah Building bombing rocked the city. She was named VP/Content in 2009. Todd’s been the Director of PM Content (you and I might call that news director) since 2011 and previously was an ND in Tulsa, Wichita, and Columbia, MO. He’s also worked in Kearney, NE, Kansas City, and Grand Rapids, MI, where he worked for me when I was ND at WOOD-TV there. Nathan joined KWTV in 2004 and worked his way up to Managing Editor before this promotion.

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO:

KRDO, NewsChannel 13, in beautiful Colorado Springs, Colorado, located on the Front Range of the Colorado Rockies, is looking for a News Director.

Job Description:

The News Director is responsible for the overall supervision and development of the News Department staff, providing direction in story selection, story-telling and coverage. We are looking for someone with the ability to manage, coach, critique and motivate the news team to make our news programs the best and first choice for local news, information, weather and sports in our market. Experience with brand building, news research and managing the station’s news website is a plus.

The successful candidate will lead, manage, hire, train, supervise and motivate News department personnel. They should be experienced in preparing operating budgets and be prepared to be involved in News department capital planning. Any candidate must have excellent news judgment, be thoroughly versed in digital and social media have a passion for breaking news and strong organizational and leadership skills.

Required Qualifications:

Applicants must have a 4 year degree in Journalism, Broadcasting or related field, previous experience as a newsroom supervisor, excellent time management skills, effective communication skills, an ability to work in a high stress, fast paced environment with multiple daily deadlines, good organizational skills, and excellent news judgment.

When applying for this position, please note your referral source and send resumes to:

News Channel 13
Attn: Human Resources
399 S. 8th Street
Colorado Springs, CO. 80905
Telephone (719) 632-1515
Fax (719) 575-6327
Email: personnel@krdo.com

Successful candidate must pass a drug test and background check.
News Channel 13 is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Posting Closes: When position is filled.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

June 26, 2016

Greetings:

As those of you who receive this publication via email know (because of UPDATES sent you this week), it’s been busy. Really busy.

As in SIX new news director openings, with FOUR newly named news directors. All of those from Tegna, and all first time NDs, including hires in two top 20 markets. So…our list of open ND jobs jumps to 28.

ONE of those openings is featured in a Paid Help Wanted ad this week.

We have the complete list of the National Edward R. Murrow Awards, as well as an award for a Denver station from the National Press Club. We also have details on a news manager who crossed the street, as well as a former ND turned GM who also made a cross-town move. We’ll give you the link to an AP story about the use of real anchors in movies. And we have obituaries for TWO veteran broadcasters.

All that and more below.

New News Director Openings:

Mondora

KTTV/KCOP-TV, Los Angeles, CA…we first reported the departure of BILL MONDORA in an UPDATE late Wednesday night. He joined this FOX-owned duopoly in April, 2014, after a long career (24 years) at CBS News in a variety of positions, most involving CBS Newspath. His Linkedin page has his full background dating back to his days as a radio news reporter in Oklahoma.

Thouvenot

KMOV-TV, St. Louis, MO…in another story we first shared with you in an UPDATE earlier this week, BRIAN THOUVENOT has left this Meredith owned CBS station. He’d been the ND there for just over two years, moving up when SEAN McLAUGHIN left to be VP/News for Scripps. Here’s the memo to staff. Brian’s an native of the area, worked at KMOV for six years, and has also working in Springfield, MO, and Lancaster, PA. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch offers this report on his departure.

Stevens

WSET-TV, Lynchburg, VA…LEN STEVENS has parted ways with this Sinclair Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate. Len was promoted to news director here in August, 2014.   He had been the primary weeknight anchor at the station, and served as the interim ND for a few months before moving up. He started at WSET in 2002, and has also worked in his native Milwaukee, Greenville and Winston-Salem, NC.

Hahn

WNWO-TV, Toledo, OH…this Sinclair Broadcasting owned NBC affiliate is looking for a new news director to replace NICOLE HAHN. Nicole came here in April, 2014, as part of a management change that included a new general manager, general sales manager, digital content manager, and promotion director. All came from WPTA-TV in Ft. Wayne. Nicole was an EP at WPTA before the move east to Toledo.

Nelson

KRDO-TV, Colorado Springs, CO…JENE NELSON resigned this week as news director of the News-Press & Gazette owned ABC affiliate. The local newspaper had this story about her departure. She’d been ND here for just over two years, and joined the station a year earlier, first as Managing Editor and then Assistant News Director. Jene also worked for another Colorado Springs station, spent 14 years at KUSA-TV in Denver as a producer, senior producer and EP, and also produced in Las Vegas.

Johnson

KVRR-TV, Fargo, ND….LEZLIE JOHNSON is leaving this Fox affiliate after two years as News Director to become Assignment Editor at WTMJ-TV in Milwaukee. She worked at a station in Grand Forks, ND. for almost three years as a reporter/photographer. KVRR is owned by Red River Broadcasting.

Newly Named News Directors:

Davilas

KPNX-TV, Phoenix, AZ…GEORGE DAVILAS will be the next news director for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release. George’s experience centers on the programming side of televison. The question of who he replaces is somewhat murky. It was either MARK CASEY, who was both interim ND and station manager when he left last month, after 17 years there, most as ND, or SANDRA KOTZAMBASIS, who was the news director when she left in March after 18 months as ND.

Cohen

KXTV, Sacramento, CA…SAM COHEN gets her first news director’s job at the helm of the Tegna owned ABC affiliate. She’s been the EP of digital and social over a year. Sam worked for the FOX affiliate in Sacramento for almost six years, and worked as a producer in Salt Lake City and Milwaukee. She replaces JEROME PARRA who left in May after four years as ND.

Garcia

KIII-TV, Corpus Christi, CA…another first time news director fills the opening here as OSCAR GARCIA takes over from veteran ND RICHARD LONGORIA. Oscar has been an EP for KFOX-TV in El Paso, where he has been for almost six years. He’s worked for four years at another El Paso station. Richard retired in April after 13 years at KIII and decades in our business, including ND stints in San Diego and Houston.

Garrity

KAGS-TV, Laredo, TX…MOLLY GARRITY will be the next ND for this Tegna owned NBC affiliate which serves as a satellite to KCEN-TV in Temple. She’s been working for KHOU-TV in Houston, and earlier worked as an anchor/EP in San Angelo, TX, and in Spokane, WA. Her proud father, DAN GARRITY emailed me to say she’s the first alum of the broadcasting program at Gonzaga University to become an ND. He should know: he’s on the faculty there!

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KRNV-TV, Reno, NV:

KRNV in Reno, NV, a Sinclair Broadcast Group station is seeking an experienced, hands-on News Director with strong leadership skills and an aggressive style.

Responsibilities:

Managing the station’s news operations, setting budgets, establishing goals and directing the staff that produces 30+ hours of local news weekly
Responsible for initiating and managing content delivery on multiple platforms
Work closely with local and corporate management to establish News content, philosophy and direction
Review daily newscasts to ensure quality control and brand compliancy, and subsequently provide feedback to all news staff
Recruiting, hiring and negotiating contracts for news department personnel
Collaborate with other managers to develop marketing plans, establish ratings goals, and effectively reach said goals

Requirements:

Must have a working knowledge of journalistic ethics, libel, and privacy laws
Will bring strong fiscal experience for both operational and capital expenditures
Must have a demonstrated ability to manage multiple hours of daily newscasts on two stations and must have a proven track record of success in building a winning news organization
Journalism degree and a minimum of five years’ experience in news management with noted leadership skills is required

Position Type:

Full-Time/Regular

If interested in this position, please apply at www.sbgi.net

Sinclair Broadcast Group is proud to be an EEO and a drug free workplace!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

June 19, 2016

Friday, June 24, 2016 UPDATE:

A surprise from Portland, OR, today, where a General Manager (and a former news director) walks across the street to take a new job.

Roark

ADRIENNE ROARK who’s been the GM for MGstbN’s (*see below) KOIN-TV (CBS) in Portland since June, 2014, left today to become General Manager of Meredith’s KPTV/KPDX, the FOX/My Network duopoly there.

Here’s the news release.

Before Portland, Adrienne spent four years as the news director for CBS’s KTVT-TV in Dallas, served as the ND for another CBS o-and-o, WFOR-TV in Miami, and worked for other stations. Her Linkedin page is very complete and explains it all.

She replaces ANDY DELAPORTE who left Meredith to explore other opportunities.

It’s been a very busy week…our full newsletter will have lots of material, but may be delayed by travel.

regards,

Rick Gevers

* MGstbN: Media General soon to be Nexstar

Wednesday, June 22, 2016 UPDATE:

A rare third consecutive day with an UPDATE brings word of a news director change in the second market.

Mondora

BILL MONDORA, who’s been the ND for KTTV/KCOP-TV in Los Angeles since April, 2014, has parted ways with this FOX owned duopoly.  The newsroom was told within the last few minutes.

He joined FOX after a 24 year career with CBS in a variety of jobs, most of it with CBS Newspath. Bill also worked on the assignment desk in Orlando and Oklahoma City, and worked as a radio reporter in Oklahoma City for three years.

We’ll have a lot to report in our full newsletter this weekend, which may be delayed by travel.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Tuesday, June 21, 2016 UPDATE:

Several items of note in this UPDATE.

RTDNA announced the National Edward R. Murrow Awards today. Here’s the complete list. Congrats to the winners.

And the folks at Tegna were busy today, filling THREE of the company’s open ND jobs. All went to first time news directors.

Davilas

KPNX-TV in Phoenix named GEORGE DAVILAS news director for that NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release. As you’ll read, George’s experience seems to be on the programming side and not news. Who did he replace at KPNX? Well, it was either MARK CASEY, who was both interim ND and station manager when he left last month, after 17 years there, most as ND. Or did he replace SANDRA KOTZAMBASIS, who was the news director when she left in March after 18 months as ND? We report, you decide, as someone once said.

Cohen

KXTV in Sacramento also went the first time ND route by promoting SAM COHEN to be news director. She’s been the EP of digital and social at this ABC affiliate for just over a year. Sam worked for the FOX affiliate in Sacramento for almost six years, and produced in Salt Lake City and Milwaukee. She replaces JEROME PARRA who left in May after four years as ND.

KIII-TV, the Tegna station in Corpus Christi, TX, named OSCAR GARCIA as its next news director. Oscar has been an EP for KFOX-TV in El Paso, where he has been for almost six years. He’s worked for four years at another El Paso station, and replaces veteran ND RICHARD LONGORIA who retired in April after 13 years at KIII and decades in our business.

More later!

regards,

Rick Gevers

Monday, June 20, 2016 UPDATE:

The week beings with a new news director opening at a top 25 midwest station.

Thouvenot

BRIAN THOUVENOT has parted ways with Meredith’s KMOV-TV in St. Louis, the CBS affiliate. General Manager MIKE MURPHY told the staff via this email this morning.

He was the ND there for just over two years, promoted after SEAN McLAUGHLIN left to become VP of News for Scripps.

Brian first joined the station in 2008. He’s a native of the St. Louis area who worked in Springfield, MO, and Lancaster, PA before joining KMOV.

His Linkedin page has his career details.

And we’ll have all the week’s news in our full report this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Great to see so many of you at this past week’s IRE Conference in New Orleans. Long time readers know of my fondness for that convention and glad to see more NDs among the attendees. And congratulations to MATT GOLDBERG, Managing Editor for KNBC-TV in Los Angeles, who was elected President of the IRE Board. Matt’s the first broadcaster to serve as President since JIM POLK in the 70’s, and one of four broadcasters on the board.

In our normal business, we have news about THREE newly named news directors (they’ve all been NDs before) and just ONE opening, bring our list of open ND jobs to 25.

TWO of those 25 openings are included in the SIX Paid Help Wanted ads this week.

There’s some very interesting information in the latest RTDNA ND survey. The link to that is in Names in the News, along with details about new jobs for several current and former news managers.

Read on!

New News Director Opening:

KSNT-TV, Topeka, KS…AL CARL is staying within the Media General-soon-to-be-Nexstar (hereafter MGstbN) family as he leaves this NBC affiliate to become ND for the company’s WISH-TV in Indianapolis. More below. Al was here about 16 months.

Newly Named News Directors:

KTAZ-TV, Phoenix, AZ…MIGUEL GAYTAN moves from Univision’s KAKW-TV in Austin, TX, to become ND for Telemundo’s Phoenix station. He’s worked in Texas for more than 20 years at Univision affiliated stations in Austin, San Antonio, and Laredo. More in this story from Media Moves. He replaces ANDREA OSPINA who took an Assistant News Director job at the Telemundo station in Houston.

Carl

WISH-TV, Indianapolis, IN…we shared earlier the news of AL CARL’s appointment as news director of this MGstbN (see above!) CW affiliate. GM LES VANN told the staff in this memo. This is Al’s third consecutive job at a MGstbN station. He’s currently ND for KSNT-TV in Topeka, a job he took for family reasons. He’d been the ND at the company’s WTNH-TV in New Haven/Hartford. Al’s also been run newsrooms in Omaha, Huntsville, and in Savannah. He’s also worked in Kansas City, Saginaw and Albany, NY. Al replaces ELBERT TUCKER who is now the news director of another MGstbN station, WKRN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Nashville. Elbert and his wife are both from Tennessee.

Of note: Al becomes the sixth ND in 13 years here, but the station has had only seven NDs in 48 years, given the 35 year tenure of LEE GILES which ended with his 2003 retirement.

Schieferstein

KPVI-TV, Pocatello, ID…GREG SCHIEFERSTEIN returns to KPVI and Pocatello as ND for this NBC affiliate. Here’s the news release announcing his appointment. We told you last week that Greg was leaving WEEK-WHOI-TV in Peoria where he’d been the ND for three years. In addition to his earlier stint at KPVI, Greg’s been an ND in Augusta, GA, and Missoula, MT. He’s also worked in Seattle, Toledo and Rockford, IL. Greg replaces ERIC JOCHIM who took a job in Helena, MT, to be closer to family there. KPVI is owned by Idaho Broadcast Partners.

While it’s not a new opening, please note the new Paid Help Wanted ad below for the ND opening at KRNV-TV in Reno.

And our apologies to SARI PADORR whose name I misspelled last week in reporting her appointment as temporary ND at WAAY-TV in Huntsville, AL.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KRNV-TV, Reno, NV:

KRNV in Reno, NV, a Sinclair Broadcast Group station is seeking an experienced, hands-on News Director with strong leadership skills and an aggressive style.

Responsibilities:

Managing the station’s news operations, setting budgets, establishing goals and directing the staff that produces 30+ hours of local news weekly
Responsible for initiating and managing content delivery on multiple platforms
Work closely with local and corporate management to establish News content, philosophy and direction
Review daily newscasts to ensure quality control and brand compliancy, and subsequently provide feedback to all news staff
Recruiting, hiring and negotiating contracts for news department personnel
Collaborate with other managers to develop marketing plans, establish ratings goals, and effectively reach said goals

Requirements:

Must have a working knowledge of journalistic ethics, libel, and privacy laws
Will bring strong fiscal experience for both operational and capital expenditures
Must have a demonstrated ability to manage multiple hours of daily newscasts on two stations and must have a proven track record of success in building a winning news organization
Journalism degree and a minimum of five years’ experience in news management with noted leadership skills is required

Position Type:

Full-Time/Regular

If interested in this position, please apply at www.sbgi.net

Sinclair Broadcast Group is proud to be an EEO and a drug free workplace!

News Director, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:

KPRC-TV seeks an innovative “hands on” News Director with a proven ability to grow audiences through story selection and marketing; converting audience research into attainable and measurable results.

The successful candidate will lead, manage, hire, train, supervise and motivate News department personnel. They should be experienced in preparing operating budgets and be prepared to be involved in News department capital planning. Any candidate must have excellent news judgment, be thoroughly versed in digital and social media, have a passion for breaking news and strong organizational and leadership skills.

Qualifications include five years’ experience in news department management, preferable News Director in a top 25 Television Market. Strong Journalist with proven management skills; and thorough knowledge of national and international news issues demonstrating sound news judgment.

To apply please send resume via email to jobs@kprc.com

Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a dynamic Executive Producer with a proven track record. The successful candidate will be responsible for the production, execution and overall presentation of our daily newscasts, while providing leadership in the newsroom, managing producers and associate producers, ensuring writing meets station standards, coordinating with other departments for daily multiplatform news production and assisting in development of news department strategy.

10TV strives to succeed and is looking for someone with passion and enthusiasm to join our strong team! This position requires at least six years’ experience in local television news as a Producer and Executive Producer (with at least two years as EP or similar). The candidate must have excellent news judgment and communication skills, proficient comprehension of digital and social platforms and above average writing and storytelling skills. The ideal candidate should have the ability to manage and influence a large group and to work effectively in often stressful situations required. Experience in investigative journalism and digital platforms are a plus.

Please apply by clicking here and please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume.

WBNS 10TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistant News Director, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Job Description:

WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida is looking for an aggressive team leader with a proven track record for achieving outstanding results. Must be able to lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. The ideal candidate will be able to direct, motivate and develop a successful team. You will help supervise anchors, reporters and producers. You will also work closely with Creative Services to make sure there is promotable content in the newscasts. We are looking for 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:

This is an ideal position for an Executive Producer who is looking to make that next move. We are looking for someone with a producing background who also has at least five years of experience in a supervisory role. Must be able to perform well under pressure, meet deadlines and communicate thoroughly with all levels of management and staff. We want someone with a passion for breaking news, weather, innovative storytelling and digital coverage. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which could include days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Degree in communications or related field desired.

Location:

WJXT-TV
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Email resumes and links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

No phone calls.

Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

A WINK Executive Producer will oversee the production of Southwest Florida’s leading newscasts. WINK is looking for a creative news junkie with a passion for leading a team of producers to build exceptional newscasts. Our EPs manage a team of experienced journalists that produce 65 hours of local news a week.

The EP helps producers shape and create newscasts with exceptional writing and story flow. The ability to mentor and teach is a must. The EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product.

Specifically, the EP guides producers with lead story showcasing, story treatment, flow, story count, strategic story positioning for quarter-hour meter management, graphics production and headline and tease strategies. Integrating social media into the newscasts is an emerging growth area in which the EP must embrace and lead. The EP is the chief advocate for the practical execution of research strategies designed to meet audience expectations.

Leading candidates must be hands on managers who inspire their teams every newscast, every day. Every so often, EPs will be asked to lead by example and produce in the event of absences or illness. This is not a role for an “administrator.”

EPs will be held responsible for all aspects of the newscasts each oversees. That means leading and managing all aspects of the broadcasts, such as, working with production and engineering on technical operations, scheduling, and setting performance expectations with each member of the team.

Send resumes and links to: tom.doerr@winknews.com

Tom Doerr
News Director
WINK News
824 Palm Beach Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
No phone calls, please.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 6/5/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted 6/12/16, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted 6/12/16)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 5/15/16)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (relisted 4/24/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (listed 6/12/16)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/16)
KMGH-TV, Denver, CO (new listing this week)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, relisted this week)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/22/16)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, new listing this week)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listing modified 6/12/16, see ad above!)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, relisted this week)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, listing revised 6/12/16, see ad above!)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM EP, listed 4/10/16)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (listed 6/12/16, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted 6/12/16)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (relisted 5/1/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 5/8/16)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 5/22/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 5/22/16)
KIVI-TV, Boise, ID (AM EP, new listing this week)
WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 5/22/16)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 4/24/16)

Names in the News:

Old friend BOB PAPPER has released his latest RTDNA research project. You can find it by clicking here. Lots of interesting information, including age, gender, and tenure breakdowns. It’s worth some of your time.

Passant

Longtime CBS News employee COURT PASSANT follows his former boss KURT DAVIS to Affiliate Relations, where he’ll be the (deep breath) Vice President of Affiliate Marketing for CBS Affiliate Relations and CBS Television Networks Distribution. Court had been the Executive Director of Broadcast Marketing for CBS News. He joined CBS in 1992 after working in Louisville, Albany, NY, South Bend, and Columbia, MO. VP MARSHA COOKE told the staff in this email.

BRAD TATUM joins WBZ-TV in Boston as Assistant News Director. He’s been an EP at WHDH-TV in Boston and spent many years at WSOC-TV in Charlotte.

MacKenzie

Longtime Magid consultant (and former KCNC-TV/Denver News Director) JACK MACKENZIE has joined Penn Schoen Berian as Executive Vice President. This news release will explain who they are and what he will do there.

General Manager News:

I’m now aware of any GM changes this week. If you are, please let me know.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 19, 2016:

KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 (see ad above!)
KRIV-TV 4261 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
KPNX-TV 200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl, Phoenix, AZ 85040 **
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78757
WHP-TV 3300 N 6th St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604
KFVS-TV 310 Broadway Cape Girardeau MO 63701
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WVNY/WFFF 298 Mountain View Dr. Colchester, VT 05446
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502 (see ad above!)
KBOI-TV 140 N 16th St, Boise, ID 83702
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Road. East Peoria, IL 61611
WWTV/WWUP 22320 130th Ave, Tustin, MI 49688
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KIII-TV 5002 S Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KSNT-TV 6835 NW HWY 24. Topeka, KS 66618
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KAUZ/KSWO-TV 3601 Seymour Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76309
KYOU-TV 820 W Second St. Ottumwa IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

* Spanish language station

June 12, 2016

Thursday, June 16, 2016 UPDATE:

A transfer between two Media General-soon-to-be-Nexstar stations fills one of the larger market news director openings on our list.

Carl

AL CARL is leaving KSNT-TV (NBC) in Topeka after 16 months to go to sister station WISH-TV (a CW affiliate) in Indianapolis as ND. It’s actually the third time Al’s been an ND for the company: he ran the newsroom at WTNH-TV in New Haven/Hartford, CT, before a family matter took him to Topeka.

Here’s the note from WISH-TV General Manager LES VANN announcing Al’s hire.

He’s also been an ND in Omaha, for two stations in Huntsville, and in Savannah, and worked for two stations in Kansas City as well as in Saginaw and Albany, NY.

Al replaces ELBERT TUCKER who started earlier this month as the news director of another Media General station, WKRN-TV, the ABC affiliate in Nashville. Elbert and his wife are both from Tennessee so the move brings them closer to their families there.

I’m in New Orleans at the IRE Conference. It’s been great to see a few of you here, and hope to connect with others before I leave on Sunday.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

It’s been a busy week!

We have FIVE new news directors to introduce you to, and we’ll also tell you about FOUR new news director openings. That leaves our list of open news director jobs at 26.

TWO of those 26 openings are among the SIX Paid Help Waned ads in this week’s edition.

We also have news of a new executive at CBS that those of you at CBS affiliate will be dealing with. And news management moves in markets of all sizes.

And Tegna had a bunch of GM changes this week, with THREE new GM’s and the departure of ONE who only held the job for 14 months.

All that…and much more…as you read on.

New News Director Openings:

KPRC-TV, Houston, TX…we first told you earlier this week that RHONDA LAVELLE is returning to Detroit as ND for WXYZ-TV after almost two years as ND for this Graham Media NBC affiliate. Much more on her move below. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

Bothwell

WHP-TV, Harrisburg, PA…we’re a little tardy in reporting the news that MIKE BOTHWELL is leaving to become an agent for Napoli Management Group. He’ll start there in August and will leave this Sinclair owned CBS affiliate after almost two years as ND. He’s also been an ND in Steubenville, OH, and Bend, OR, and worked for two stations in Pittsburgh and one in Palm Desert, CA.

Woodard

WGRZ-TV, Buffalo, NY…JEFF WOODARD is leaving this Tegna owned NBC affiliate to return to school…sort of. Jeff’s been named director of marketing and communications at Fredonia State College, his alma mater. He was ND here for almost eight years, and spent a total of 18 years at WGRZ. He’s also worked in Syracuse where he worked as a radio reporter before moving to TV.

Schieferstein

WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL…GREG SCHIEFERSTEIN told his staff that he’s leaving after almost three years as ND. Here’s his brief note:

I want to take a moment to let you know I’ve decided to leave WEEK & WHOI as News Director. Thank you for all of your hard work, drive and commitment over the past few years.

I wish all the best for you here and in your future endeavors.

My last day at the station will be Wednesday, July 6th.

Greg told me he new job will be announced soon. WEEK and WHOI are an NBC/ABC duopoly whose ownership and operations are so dang complex I’m not even going to try. So here’s Wikipedia! Greg’s also been an ND in Augusta, GA, Missoula, MT and Pocatello, ID. He’s also worked in Seattle, Toledo and Rockford, IL.

Newly Named News Directors:

LaVelle

WXYZ-TV, Detroit, MI…as noted above, RHONDA LAVELLE returns to her native Michigan as ND for this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate. She’s been the ND for KPRC-TV in Houston for almost two years and was the Assistant ND for a few months before that. Rhonda went to Houston from Detroit where she worked for 16 years, leaving as the EP. She’s also worked for another Detroit station and in Saginaw. Here’s both her memo to her newsroom and the note from the GM to the WXZY staff

Hughes

WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA…DAVID HUGHES will be the next news director for this CBS affiliate owned by Gray Television. He’s worked for WFLA-TV in Tampa for the past nine years, the last five as executive producer. He’s also worked in Raleigh and Macon, GA. At WDBJ, he replaces KELLY ZUBER who was the ND there the last 2 1/2 years and worked for 34 years at the station. We told you earlier this year that Kelly took early retirement to help her husband with a dental lab that they own.

Padorr

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…SARI PADORR returns to this ABC affiliate as interim ND pending the sale of the station by current owner Calkins Media. She also served as interim ND before JENNIFER HARDY was hired two years ago. We told you last month that Jennifer was headed to sister station WWSB-TV in Sarasota as ND. WAAY General Manager PAUL DUGHI explains Sari’s remarkable background in this note to his staff.

Flesch

WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL…RICH FLESCH has been promoted to news director for this Nexstar owned NBC station. He’s been the Assistant ND there for almost ten years and has spent his entire career in the market. Rich replaces ANDY MILLER who was promoted to become Midwest Director of Local Content Development for Nexstar. Andy was ND here for more than eleven years and spent 20 years at the station.

Davis

WTVY-TV, Dothan, AL…APRIL DAVIS is the new ND for this Gray TV owned CBS affiliate. She’s been working in Colorado Springs as an EP and Anchor of a morning newscast aired by Gray TV stations in Colorado Springs and Grand Junction, CO. April has also worked in Anchorage, Savannah, Jacksonville, NC, and Greenville, SC. At WTVY, she replaces KIM ALLEN who left after three years as ND to return to Ohio as the Morning EP for WDTN-TV in Dayton.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KPRC-TV, Houston, TX:

KPRC-TV seeks an innovative “hands on” News Director with a proven ability to grow audiences through story selection and marketing; converting audience research into attainable and measurable results.

The successful candidate will lead, manage, hire, train, supervise and motivate News department personnel. They should be experienced in preparing operating budgets and be prepared to be involved in News department capital planning. Any candidate must have excellent news judgment, be thoroughly versed in digital and social media, have a passion for breaking news and strong organizational and leadership skills.

Qualifications include five years’ experience in news department management, preferable News Director in a top 25 Television Market. Strong Journalist with proven management skills; and thorough knowledge of national and international news issues demonstrating sound news judgment.

To apply please send resume via email to jobs@kprc.com

Executive Producer, WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH:

WBNS-TV, Central Ohio’s News Leader, seeks a dynamic Executive Producer with a proven track record. The successful candidate will be responsible for the production, execution and overall presentation of our daily newscasts, while providing leadership in the newsroom, managing producers and associate producers, ensuring writing meets station standards, coordinating with other departments for daily multiplatform news production and assisting in development of news department strategy.

10TV strives to succeed and is looking for someone with passion and enthusiasm to join our strong team! This position requires at least six years’ experience in local television news as a Producer and Executive Producer (with at least two years as EP or similar). The candidate must have excellent news judgment and communication skills, proficient comprehension of digital and social platforms and above average writing and storytelling skills. The ideal candidate should have the ability to manage and influence a large group and to work effectively in often stressful situations required. Experience in investigative journalism and digital platforms are a plus.

Please apply by clicking here and please be sure to include your news philosophy and link to a recent newscast in your cover letter or resume.

WBNS 10TV is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Assistant News Director, WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Job Description:

WJXT-TV in Jacksonville, Florida is looking for an aggressive team leader with a proven track record for achieving outstanding results. Must be able to lead a strong newsroom in a fast-paced competitive environment. Excellent news judgment, storytelling and showcasing skills required. The ideal candidate will be able to direct, motivate and develop a successful team. You will help supervise anchors, reporters and producers. You will also work closely with Creative Services to make sure there is promotable content in the newscasts. We are looking for 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:

This is an ideal position for an Executive Producer who is looking to make that next move. We are looking for someone with a producing background who also has at least five years of experience in a supervisory role. Must be able to perform well under pressure, meet deadlines and communicate thoroughly with all levels of management and staff. We want someone with a passion for breaking news, weather, innovative storytelling and digital coverage. Must be able to work a flexible schedule which could include days, nights, weekends and holidays as needed. Degree in communications or related field desired.

Location:

WJXT-TV
4 Broadcast Place
Jacksonville, FL 32207
Email resumes and links to: kbonfield@wjxt.com

No phone calls.

Executive Producer, WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL:

A WINK Executive Producer will oversee the production of Southwest Florida’s leading newscasts. WINK is looking for a creative news junkie with a passion for leading a team of producers to build exceptional newscasts. Our EPs manage a team of experienced journalists that produce 65 hours of local news a week.

The EP helps producers shape and create newscasts with exceptional writing and story flow. The ability to mentor and teach is a must. The EP oversees all activities that go into the creation of the on-air product.

Specifically, the EP guides producers with lead story showcasing, story treatment, flow, story count, strategic story positioning for quarter-hour meter management, graphics production and headline and tease strategies. Integrating social media into the newscasts is an emerging growth area in which the EP must embrace and lead. The EP is the chief advocate for the practical execution of research strategies designed to meet audience expectations.

Leading candidates must be hands on managers who inspire their teams every newscast, every day. Every so often, EPs will be asked to lead by example and produce in the event of absences or illness. This is not a role for an “administrator.”

EPs will be held responsible for all aspects of the newscasts each oversees. That means leading and managing all aspects of the broadcasts, such as, working with production and engineering on technical operations, scheduling, and setting performance expectations with each member of the team.

Send resumes and links to: tom.doerr@winknews.com

Tom Doerr
News Director
WINK News
824 Palm Beach Blvd.
Fort Myers, FL 33916
No phone calls, please.

News Director, WHEC-TV, Rochester, NY:

WHEC-TV (News10NBC), Rochester, NY a Hubbard Broadcasting station, is seeking a dynamic News Director who is a strong leader with a clear vision and the ability to communicate that vision to the staff. You must be passionate, realizing we make a HUGE difference every day in our community, and you must have a strong desire to teach, lead and learn with our award winning News Team.

Our TEAM has won many awards including several regional Murrow awards and a national Murrow Award over the past several years. We have built a team that is driven by excellence in journalism across all platforms.

We produce 5 hours of news each weekday and quarterly hour-long specials tackling issues which are vital to the welfare of our community. We are an advocate for the community and we look to hold those that abuse their powers accountable. We have a top notch digital team that has consistently ranked #1 in viewer engagement due to the strong story-telling we produce every day.

Our culture is one of service; service to our community and to one-another. You should know how to listen, learn, assess challenges and opportunities, collaborate to find solutions, and implement change. You should be open to finding new solutions and taking risks. You must be good with multitasking and prioritization in order to meet deadlines. On our side, we will work very hard as a station and company to help you grow as a person and news professional.

To view the detailed posting and apply, click here:

No phone calls please. EOE

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

KMBC-TV, Kansas City, MO (relisted 6/5/16)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 4/16/16)
WJXT-TV, Jacksonville, FL (relisted this week, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted this week)
KOB-TV, Albuquerque, NM (relisted 5/15/16)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (relisted 4/24/16)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (new listing this week)

EXECUTIVE NEWS PRODUCER:

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 5/1/16)
WEWS-TV, Cleveland, OH (Dayside EP, listed 6/5/16)
KXTV, Sacramento, CA (PM EP, relisted 5/22/16)
WRTV, Indianapolis, IN (AM EP, listed 4/16/16)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (listing modified this week, see ad above!)
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (AM EP, listing revised 5/27/16)
KOAT-TV, Albuquerque, NM (PM EP, listing revised this week, see ad above!)
KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM EP, listed 4/10/16)
WINK-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (new listing this week, see ad above!)
WVLT-TV, Knoxville, TN (relisted this week)
WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV (relisted 5/1/16)
WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL (PM EP, relisted 5/8/16)
WJCL-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 5/22/16)
WCTI-TV, New Bern, NC (relisted 5/22/16)
WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL (listed 5/22/16)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted 4/24/16)

Names in the News:

Cooke

MARSHA COOKE will be the next Vice President, News Services for CBS News. She’s a 23 year veteran of the network. Most recently she’s been executive editor of content for CBSN, the network’s streaming newscast. Marsha replaces KURT DAVIS who was bumped up to Executive Vice President of Affiliate Relations for the CBS Television Network. More in the network’s news release.

MARYANNE HUBBARD joins KPRC-TV in Houston as Managing Editor. She’s been working at KUSA-TV in Denver, and has earlier worked for a number of stations in Sacramento and Fresno.

RUSS WALKER has been named Assistant News Director at Tegna’s KING-TV in Seattle. He’s been the EP of the investigative unit there.

Some management changes at WPMT-TV in York, PA. ALLISON OSKIN departed this FOX affiliate for a similar job at another FOX station, WZTV in Nashville. And ROSHA MACALUSO returns as an EP. She’s been a producer at WBAL-TV in Baltimore but earlier in her career worked at WPMT as a producer.

Pando

Onetime XETV (San Diego) News Director ALBERTO PANDO is leaving his most recent job as General Manager of the Office of Cuba Broadcasting, which oversees Radio and Television Martí. He’s also been an Executive Producer for Telemundo and Univision stations in Los Angeles and Miami. More on his move…and his future plans…in this story from Media Moves.

Shafer

Another former XETV news director has a new gig. We told you in December that DON SHAFER was leaving XETV in after two years as ND to move back to Colorado. Don advises that he’s now the new Supervisor of Video Production at Pueblo City Schools. He’s in charge of purchasing equipment and working on a Broadcast curriculum for next school year for the district. In addition to XETV, Don was an ND for another San Diego station and has worked Colorado Springs, Denver, Green Bay, Milwaukee, Oklahoma City, Flint/Saginaw, MI, and Tallahassee, FL. You can congratulate him via an email to: donald.shafer@pueblocityschools.us

General Manager News:

Easterly

Former News Director GREG EASTERLY continues his move up the corporate ladder at Tribune. He’s been the GM for WGN-TV in Chicago for the last two years and was once ND…and then GM…for WJW-TV in Cleveland. Greg’s been upped to Senior VP/Group Operations for Tribune stations and interim GM of WPIX-TV in New York. He’ll serve there until a replacement is named for RICH GRAZIANO who resigned this week, effective immediately. Chicago media reporter ROBERT FEDER has more.

Lots of General Manager movement at Tegna this week: There are new General Managers at KING-TV in Seattle, KVUE-TV in Austin, TX, and WCHS-TV in Portland, ME. Here’s the company news release on those changes. But the company is losing a GM at KSDK-TV in St. Louis. MARV DANIELSKI is leaving that NBC affiliate after just 14 months as GM, as you’ll learn here.

JULIA WALLACE is stepping down as head of Cox Media Group Ohio at the end of the year. She oversees WHIO-TV as well as the company’s radio and newspaper holdings. More in this article from one of those holdings, the Dayton Daily News.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here is my list of stations with open ND jobs, as of Sunday, June 12, 2016:

KPRC-TV 8181 Southwest Freeway Houston TX 77074 (see ad above!)
KRIV-TV 4261 Southwest Fwy, Houston, TX 77027
KPNX-TV 200 E Van Buren St, Phoenix, AZ 85004
KTAZ-TV 4625 S 33rd Pl, Phoenix, AZ 85040 **
KXTV 400 Broadway Sacramento, CA 95818
WISH-TV 1950 N. Meridian St. Indianapolis IN 46202
WCPO-TV 1720 Gilbert Ave, Cincinnati, OH 45202
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Ave. Austin, TX 78757
WHP-TV 3300 N 6th St, Harrisburg, PA 17110
WGRZ-TV 259 Delaware Ave. Buffalo, NY 14202
WHEC-TV 191 East Avenue Rochester, NY 14604 (see ad above!)
KFVS-TV 310 Broadway Cape Girardeau MO 63701
WAND-TV 904 South Side Drive Decatur, IL 62521
WVNY/WFFF 298 Mountain View Dr. Colchester, VT 05446
KRNV-TV 1790 Vassar St. Reno, NV 89502
KBOI-TV 140 N 16th St, Boise, ID 83702
WEEK/WHOI-TV 2907 Springfield Road. East Peoria, IL 61611
WWTV/WWUP 22320 130th Ave, Tustin, MI 49688
KIMA/KEPR-TV 2801 Terrace Heights Dr. Yakima,WA 98901
KIII-TV 5002 S Padre Island Dr. Corpus Christi, TX 78411
KRCG-TV 10188 Old Highway 54 North. New Bloomfield, MO 65063
KMID/KPEJ-TV 3200 LaForce Boulevard Midland, TX 79711
KAUZ/KSWO-TV 3601 Seymour Highway Wichita Falls, TX 76309
KPVI-TV 902 E Sherman St, Pocatello, ID 83201
KYOU-TV 820 W Second St. Ottumwa IA 52501
KQTV 4000 Faraon St. Joseph, MO 64506

* Spanish language station