Rick Gevers & Associates

July 26, 2021

Thursday, July 29, 2021 UPDATE:

One of the more attractive large market news director openings on our list has been filled!

Cronan

MARGARET CRONAN returns to Hearst as she’ll join the company’s ABC affiliate in Boston, WCVB-TV as its next news director. All the details are contained in this story posted within the hour to the station’s website.

Remarkably, she will be only the EIGHTH news director in the station’s history.

Earlier in her career, Margaret was the ND for Hearst’s WBAL-TV in Baltimore as well as WPBF-TV in West Palm Beach, FL.

Most recently, she was the VP/News for CBS’s KYW-TV in her native Philadelphia, and was one of the people who spoke to the Los Angeles Times about discriminatory practices at CBS’s owned station. The Times investigation led to the dismissal of owned stations division President PETER DUNN and DAVID FRIEND, who was VP/News for the o-and-o’s. (A subscription may be required to required to read that story if you have used you free views.)

Margaret has also worked in New York and Los Angeles and other markets, as you can read in the station’s story above. At WCVB, she replaces PAIGE HARRISON who has been promoted to VP/News for Hearst, replacing ANDREW VREES (himself a former WCVB ND) who was named GM of the company’s Manchester, NH, station, WMUR-TV.

More on this story and another busy week in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

News Director changes in TWO top 15 markets top this week’s newsletter, with ONE opening and ONE job filled in those large markets.

Overall, TWO new news directors with THREE new openings.

Our always unofficial list of open ND jobs edges upward to 39 with THREE of those openings among our FIVE paid help wanted ads.

For the second consecutive weeks, there are no obituaries.

We have a new report on the major changes at TWO CBS owned stations where the GMs were dismissed this week, while Nexstar promotes a GM to a corporate role.

We’ll tell you about news management changes at stations owned by Nexstar, Scripps, and Meredith, as well as an impressive new job for a former Boise ND.

All that and more as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors:

Rafael P-N

WRMD-TV, Tampa, FL…RAFAEL PEREZ-NARVAEZ will be the next news director for this Telemundo owned station. He’s been the assistant ND for Telemundo’s Boston station, WNEU-TV. In Tampa, he replaces RAIZA ICIARTE who is moving to Los Angeles as the executive producer for the Telemundo station there. She was news director here for six years and was an EP for one year before that.

Romero

WHAM-TV, Rochester, NY…SERENA ROMERO stays in New York state as she moves from Syracuse to become ND for this Sinclair operated (but owned by Deerfield Media) ABC affiliate. Here’s the note from GM CHUCK SAMUELS. She was the assistant ND for Sinclair’s Syracuse operation, has previously worked for NBC News, and in San Diego and Milwaukee. Serena replaces MATT MALYN who retired after eleven years as ND.

New News Director Openings:

Breon

KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA…citing health reasons, ERIK BREON posted on social media that he and this FOX o-and-o have agreed to ‘mutually part ways’. You can see that post here. Erik began here in March, 2020, is a former ND in Tucson and Lubbock, TX, and earlier worked for KING-TV in Seattle for 12 years. He’s also worked in Dallas, Phoenix, and Spokane.

Heverling

WKBW-TV, Buffalo, NY…this Scripps owned ABC affiliate is looking to replace ROB HEVERLING. You learned here last week that Rob is returning to Duluth, MN, as ND for Hubbard’s WDIO-TV. He’d earlier been the ND for another Duluth station, as well as in Little Rock and Fayetteville. Most recently, he was the interim ND for Scripps’ WXMI-TV (FOX) in Grand Rapids, MI.

Golden

WHIO-TV, Dayton, OH…CARYN GOLDEN has left this Cox Media Group owned CBS affiliate after almost three years as ND. She first joined the station in 1997 as a reporter, left for a year in 2003 for a non-TV job in California, and has held a variety of jobs since returning to WHIO in 2004, as you’ll see on her Linkedin page.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA:

TOP 10 OPPORTUNITY- Nexstar Media Inc.’s KRON 4 is seeking a news director to lead a team of top-notch journalists in San Francisco, Market #6 – a world class city and the 10th best place to live in the country, according to U. S. News & World Report.

The Bay Area’s Local News Station delivers the most news coverage in our DMA – over 120 LIVE hours – across KRON 4, kron4.com and KRONon, our 24/7 local news app.

The News Director will lead daily on-air and online news coverage; hire, train, and mentor producers, reporters and anchors; oversee special projects and execute day-to-day operations in the newsroom. Excellent time management skills, the ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and working within a defined budget are key. Must be able to lead and motivate both experienced, seasoned pros and those who are new to the media industry.

The news director must have a track record of successful collaboration with department head peers and value the importance of community involvement. A degree in journalism, mass communications, or a related field is preferred.

Prior newsroom leadership experience is required.

Apply here.

News Director, KBJR-TV, Duluth, MN:

We’re looking for a dynamic newsroom leader to take our team to the next level.
KBJR Television in Duluth, MN seeks a News Director to grow our news team and advance our news products.

The successful candidate will be responsible for establishing and maintaining market leading standards for newsroom operations and content. Other duties include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating news personnel as well as preparation and administration of newsroom budgets and capital requests.

Reporting to the General Manager, the News Director is expected to work closely with other department managers to achieve the company’s overall performance goals.

A minimum of 3 years television news management experience and a college degree in broadcast journalism preferred. Must be able to demonstrate strong working knowledge of community issues and needs, as well as sound journalistic principles. Must have the ability to make fast, accurate journalistic, ethical and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence and a burning desire to lead what can become the best local broadcast news operation in Northern Minnesota and Northwest Wisconsin, we want to hear from you.
Send your cover letter and resume to:

Todd Wentworth
246 South Lake Ave
Duluth, MN 55802
twentworth@kbjr6.com

Throughout QMI, positions are available for candidates with all levels of experience and the advancement you are seeking.

Visit https://quincymediacareers.com/ for links to all stations and opportunities.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE

KBJR 6 & CBS 3 is an EEO/AA Employer

Assistant News Director, KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE:

Channel 8 News in Lincoln, Nebraska is looking for an ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR.

This is Big Ten Country and an affordable place to live with a high quality of life. Central location makes flying anywhere easy. It’s a smaller city but a good news market.

You must have an innovative spirit ready to mold to the changing landscape of local news. You bring ideas and solutions every day.

We are entering a new era of “Nebraska’s Trusted News Source” and I’m looking for the Clark to my Lewis to explore the possibilities here.

The Assistant News Director will run the day-to-day operations of the news team on broadcast, digital, and OTT platforms. The Assistant News Director in this newsroom is geared more toward the assignment desk and managing editor functions than EP duties but will include a mix of both.

Our news team is made up of journalists spanning the past four decades, from an anchor who just celebrated 25 years here to someone who’s starting their career next week. You should seamlessly be able to work with them all.

If you are interested in this rare opening, send your news philosophy, examples of your work, and resume to jhardy@klkntv.com.

No phone calls, please.

News Director, WREX-TV, Rockford, IL:

13 WREX is looking for a dynamic, innovative journalist committed to leading a group of talented journalists into the future of our industry.

Our news operation is content-focused and thrives off of journalists willing to think outside the box. We don’t just document what happened — we are storytellers.

WREX is committed to telling important, impactful stories that make a difference in our local communities. Our next news director must have a passion for seeking the truth and help identify important stories.

WREX has been named Station of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Assoc., Outstanding News Operation by the Illinois AP and the regional winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence. We’re looking for a candidate who strives for excellence in everything they do.

Other duties include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating news personnel, preparation and administration of newsroom budgets and capital requests. The news director works closely with other department managers to achieve the company’s overall performance goals.

A minimum of 4 years of TV news management experience and a degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. You must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of community issues and sound journalistic principles with fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence, and a desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Rockford, Illinois, we want to hear from you.

Please send resume & cover letter to:

Ed Reams
General Manager
13 WREX
P.O. Box 530
Rockford, IL 61105

ereams@wrex.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 6/27/21)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/4/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/27/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (listed 7/4/21, see ad above!)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (listed 6/18/21, see ad above!)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/4/21)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (relisted this week)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, relisted this week)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted 5/18/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 6/13/21)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 5/31/21)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 6/13/21)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (new listing this week)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro-High Point, NC (listed as 5/18/21)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/31/21)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 6/6/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/4/21)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/6/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 6/13/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 7/4/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 7/4/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 7/18/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (new listing this week)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)

More News Management Openings:

Listed 7/11/21:
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (Senior Manager of Investigative)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Real Time Desk Manager)

Relisted 6/27/21:

Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content

Listed 6/20/21:

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)

Listed 5/23/21:

WKOW-TV, Madison, WI, (Content Manager)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Names in the News:

Keller

Family reasons have caused RON KELLER to leave Meredith’s KVVU-TV (FOX) as EP after just a few months on the job. He’s a former ND for KION-TV in Salinas/Monterey, CA.

KATHRYN HAVILLA returns to Michigan as an EP for Scripps’ WXMI-TV in Grand Rapids. She went to college at Central Michigan and most recently had been working for WIVB-TV in Buffalo.

There are some new news managers at Nexstar stations:

In Buffalo, NY, FRANZ ROSS has been promoted to executive producer at WIVB-TV (CBS). He had been the 11:00 newscast producer.

SUSAN MOORE joins WHNT-TV (CBS) in Huntsville, AL, as its new assistant news director.

RASHAD SNELL moves west to KTVX-TV (ABC) in Salt Lake City, where he’ll be the Digital Content Director. He’s held a similar job for the Alabama News Network in Montgomery.

Browning

Former (2005-2007)Boise, ID, news director MARK BROWNING has been named President of the Oregon Community College. Pretty remarkable story for someone who didn’t pursue his college education until he was almost 40, and now holds several advanced degrees and is about to get a doctorate. Learn more about his interesting story when you click here.

General Manager News and Notes:

Howell

Dalton

Our UPDATE earlier this week brought you details of the shakeup at two CBS owned stations, with JAY HOWELL being ousted at KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles and DEREK DALTON being shown the exit door at Chicago’s WBBM-TV. New this editon: Variety magazine’s reporting on the changes.

Romines

Nexstar has promoted RON ROMINES to Senior Vice President and Regional Manager. He’ll oversee a number of other Nexstar stations. Ron has a long list of management roles in our industry, most recently as GM of the company’s Charlotte operation, WJYZ/WMYT-TV. More details on his new job (and his old ones) in this news release.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 25, 2021:

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

WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111 (see ad above!)
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham, MA 02494
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk VA 23510
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WHAS-TV 520 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202
WKBW-TV 7 Broadcast Plaza. Buffalo, NY 14202
WHIO-TV 1611 S Main Street , Dayton , OH 45409
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd.. Charleston, WV 25301
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25301
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KTAL-TV 3150 N Market St., Shreveport, LA 71137
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac Michigan 49601
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103 (see ad above!)
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802 (see ad above!)
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDTV 5 Television Drive. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
KSAN/KSLT-TV 2800 Armstrong St., San Angelo, TX 76903

**: Spanish language station

July 18, 2021

Thursday, July 22, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

More big changes at the CBS owned stations group, as it dismisses GMs in Los Angeles and Chicago.

This memo distributed this afternoon to employees explains the changes. as does this Los Angeles Times article (which may require a subscription if you’ve already used your free views). You’ll remember the Times reporting initiated the probe into misconduct at CBS which resulted in the ouster of PETER DUNN and DAVID FRIEND.

Howell

That means JAY HOWELL (right) is out at KCBS/KCAL-TV in Los Angeles, where he has been GM for just two years, following one year stints at two other CBS owned stations, KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh and KOVR/KMAX-TV in Sacramento. Jay’s career history is outlined on his Linkedin page.

Dalton

In Chicago, DEREK DALTON leaves WBBM-TV after just over three years in the job. He’s a former GM in San Diego and Rochester, NY. Derek’s also had some jobs out of the TV business, as you’ll learn on his Linkedin page.

I suspect we’ll have more on this story in our full newsletter this weekend!

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

NO newly named news directors last week, but FIVE newly named NDs in this week’s edition.

And last week, TWO new openings, and just ONE this week, but it’s in a top five market.

So our count of open ND jobs drops to 37 with TWO of those openings among our THREE paid help wanted ads.

Always grateful when there are no obituaries as is the case this week.

Lots of news in Names in the News, as a former ND turned GM heads to CBS as president of (some) of the its owned stations. The EP of the CBS Evening News has ‘left the building’ (to work in an Elvis reference). A 20 year network owned station Assistant ND is also leaving, there’s a new EP at a Mississippi station, NPR looks at racial discrimination claims against a Denver station, and a new Pew Study says local TV news had a good 2020…but not perhaps a great future.

And there’s some GM items as well…including a former ND returns to her former station as GM, a new station boss in Brownsville, TX, and a longtime Memphis GM is retiring.

All that and more as you read on.

Newly Named News Directors:

Blegen

WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL…this COX owned CBS/FOX duopoly has found its next news director at a sister station. LISA BLEGEN, the Assistant ND/Managing Editor at Cox’s KIRO-TV in Seattle, returns to Florida. Details in this staff email from GM BOB LONGO. Lisa’s worked in Orlando and Tampa, and began her career as a reporter as you’ll learn in Bob’s email. She replaces PASCALE HEAD who left in May after three years as ND.

Boan

WLNE-TV, Providence, RI…KELLY BOAN is the new ND for this Standard Media owned ABC affiliate. She most recently was ND for Meredith’s WHNS-TV (FOX) in Greenville, SC, a job she left last month after 16 years there, the last eight as ND, and the last year as both ND and station manager. At WLNE, she replaces DAVID JONES who left after less than a year as ND, and now, according to his Linkedin page, is an Account Manager at Elkordy Global Strategies.

Hendricks

WEEK-TV, Peoria, IL…LEON HENDRICKS has been upped to ND at this Quincy Media owned NBC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND for the last three years in his second stint at the station, interrupted by a few years at Caterpillar. WEEK also does newscasts on a digital sub channel. HOI-ABC. Leon replaces GAVIN MALISKA who left in June after less than a year as news director.

Heverling

WDIO-TV, Duluth, MN…ROB HEVERLING returns to Duluth as the ND for this Hubbard owned ABC affiliate. He just spent a few weeks as the interim ND for Scripps’ WXMI-TV in Grand Rapids but had been the ND for Scripps’ WKBW-TV in Buffalo for five years. He’s also been an ND in Little Rock, Fayetteville AR, and for KDLH-TV in Duluth. and has worked in Denver and Cleveland. Rob replaces MIKE SCHRAM who left in April and is now an ND at WILX-TV in Lansing, MI.

Harsha

KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT…in another return to a former market, KEAGAN HARSHA will be the next ND for this Scripps owned CBS affiliate. He’s a Montana native who is currently an anchor/reporter for KDVR-TV in Denver. He’s also worked in Burlington, VT, El Paso, TX, and for another Billings station. Keagan replaces JON STEPANEK who left in May after 28 years as ND to join a marketing company.

New News Director Openings:

Pero

KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA…after 20 years at this station, the last 15 years as news director, AARON PERO has left this Nexstar owned MyNetwork affiliated station. He’s worked there twice in his career, first in 1995 as a newscast producer. Aaron left in 2000 for a job at Tech TV, returned to KRON in 2001, and was promoted to ND in 2006.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Assistant News Director, KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE:

Channel 8 News in Lincoln, Nebraska is looking for an ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR.

This is Big Ten Country and an affordable place to live with a high quality of life. Central location makes flying anywhere easy. It’s a smaller city but a good news market.

You must have an innovative spirit ready to mold to the changing landscape of local news. You bring ideas and solutions every day.

We are entering a new era of “Nebraska’s Trusted News Source” and I’m looking for the Clark to my Lewis to explore the possibilities here.

The Assistant News Director will run the day-to-day operations of the news team on broadcast, digital, and OTT platforms. The Assistant News Director in this newsroom is geared more toward the assignment desk and managing editor functions than EP duties but will include a mix of both.

Our news team is made up of journalists spanning the past four decades, from an anchor who just celebrated 25 years here to someone who’s starting their career next week. You should seamlessly be able to work with them all.

If you are interested in this rare opening, send your news philosophy, examples of your work, and resume to jhardy@klkntv.com.

No phone calls, please.

News Director, WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL:

#NexstarNation has an immediate opening for an experienced News Director to lead our team at WCIA in Champaign, Illinois (DMA #90.)

This is a #1 station committed to the communities it serves. We provide award-winning local news, producing more local programming than any station in the market. WCIA also produces extensive local special programming including debates, community forums, and sports programming.

The station is the official broadcast partner of The University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of success on broadcast and digital platforms. We are looking for someone who is a true communicator, collaborator, and team builder. We want someone who believes in innovation and dynamic storytelling.

You are in the middle of everything. Champaign is just two to three hours driving distance from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.

More importantly, it’s a great place to live. This is an incredible chance to join the largest TV ownership group.

If you are an excellent leader who understands the true value of local broadcasters, apply here:

News Director, WREX-TV, Rockford, IL:

13 WREX is looking for a dynamic, innovative journalist committed to leading a group of talented journalists into the future of our industry.

Our news operation is content-focused and thrives off of journalists willing to think outside the box. We don’t just document what happened — we are storytellers.

WREX is committed to telling important, impactful stories that make a difference in our local communities. Our next news director must have a passion for seeking the truth and help identify important stories.

WREX has been named Station of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Assoc., Outstanding News Operation by the Illinois AP and the regional winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence. We’re looking for a candidate who strives for excellence in everything they do.

Other duties include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating news personnel, preparation and administration of newsroom budgets and capital requests. The news director works closely with other department managers to achieve the company’s overall performance goals.

A minimum of 4 years of TV news management experience and a degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. You must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of community issues and sound journalistic principles with fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence, and a desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Rockford, Illinois, we want to hear from you.

Please send resume & cover letter to:

Ed Reams
General Manager
13 WREX
P.O. Box 530
Rockford, IL 61105

ereams@wrex.com

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 6/27/21)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/4/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/27/21)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 6/20/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (listed 7/4/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (new listing this week, see ad above!)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/4/21)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (listing modified 5/16/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (relisted this week)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, listed 5/16/21)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 5/23/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (relisted this week)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 6/13/21)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 5/31/21)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (EP/Digital Content, listed 5/23/21)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 6/13/21)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (Digital EP, listed 5/23/21)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted 7/11/21)
WGHP-TV, Greensboro-High Point, NC (new listing this week)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/31/21)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 6/6/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/4/21)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/6/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 6/13/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 7/4/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 7/4/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted this week)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted 7/11/21)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted this week:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (Social Media Manager)

Listed 7/11/21:

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (Senior Manager of Investigative)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Real Time Desk Manager)

Relisted 6/27/21:

Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content

Listed 6/20/21:

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)

Listed 5/23/21:

WKOW-TV, Madison, WI, (Content Manager)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Names in the News:

Roark

Our UPDATE Thursday told you of ADRIENNE ROARK’s appointment as President, CBS Stations. New this edition: the email and news release from WENDY McMAHON, President and Co-Head, CBS News and Stations, which explains Adrienne’s new role in greater detail. It also includes Adrienne’s background, including her current job as GM for Meredith’s KPTV in Portland, OR and her past jobs as ND for two CBS o-and-o’s. (And put your resume down…her job at KPTV has already been filled, as you’ll learn below in our GM section.)

Shaylor

Another big change at CBS News: the current executive producer for The CBS Evening News with Norah O’Donnell has left the company. JAY SHAYLOR lasted less than two years in the job following stints at both CNN and ABC’s Good Morning America. The Los Angeles Times has more on his sudden departure from the network’s evening newscast.

Chuck W.

After a remarkable 20+ years as the Assistant News Director for NBC’s KNSD-TV in San Diego, CHUCK WESTERHEIDE is going to take a break. Details in this note he shared with me. Chuck’s also worked in as a producer at WDAF-TV in Kansas City and as a producer and sports producer for two stations in Oklahoma City.

There’s a new EP for WJTV in Jackson, MS. BRYAN CRAWFORD returns to mornings as the new EP. He had been a morning producer before moving to a 4:00 producer role for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate.

NPR’s Media Correspondent, DAVID FOLKENFLIK looks at claims of racial discrimination by three former Latina journalists at Tegna’s KUSA-TV in Denver.

Finally, a new Pew Study shows increased viewership and revenue for local TV stations in 2020, but predicts a rocky road ahead. Details here.

General Manager News and Notes:

Hanson

As we teased above, and told you in a Thursday UPDATE, COREY HANSON returns to Portland and KPTV/KPDX as its next general manager. She spent 15 years there before taking the GM job at sister Meredith station WALA-TV in Mobile last year. She held a variety of positions in Portland, including executive ND and station manager. As you learned above, she replaces ADRIENNE ROARK who’s headed to CBS.

Walter

He spent 34 years at WREG-TV in Memphis, the last 17 of them as general manager, but RON WALTER has announced his upcoming retirement from this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. Details in this story from the station’s website.

And another Nexstar GM change…JEFF MILLER has been named GM for the company’s KVEO-TV in Brownsville, TX. He’ll also oversee Mission Broadcasting’s KGBT-TV in Harlingen.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 18, 2021:

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

WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
KRON-TV 900 Front Street, San Francisco, CA 94111
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham, MA 02494
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk VA 23510
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WHAS-TV 520 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd.. Charleston, WV 25301
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25301
WHAM-TV 4225 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester NY 14623
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KTAL-TV 3150 N Market St., Shreveport, LA 71137
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820 (see ad above!)
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac Michigan 49601
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103 (see ad above!)
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDTV 5 Television Drive. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
KSAN/KSLT-TV 2800 Armstrong St., San Angelo, TX 76903

**: Spanish language station

July 11, 2021

Thursday, July 15, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

More changes in the corporate structure at CBS today, and it involves a former news director.

Roark

ADRIENNE ROARK returns to CBS as President, CBS Stations. Details in this story from Broadcasting and Cable.

Adrianne’s been the GM for Meredith’s KPTV/KPDX-TV in Portland, OR, for the past five years. But earlier in her career she was the VP/News Director for CBS’s KTVT/KTXA-TV in Dallas and for another CBS o-and-o, WFOR-TV in Miami,

Adrienne’s complete career bio can be found on her Linkedin page.

Hanson

Meredith has already named COREY HANSON to replace Adrienne in Portland. Currently the GM for the company’s Mobile station, WALA-TV, Corey spent more than 15 years at KPTV/KPDX before taking the GM job in Mobile last year. She held a variety of positions in Portland, including executive news director and station manager. Complete details in the Meredith news release.

More on both these stories in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

With TWO new openings…and, to my knowledge, NO new news directors named…our list of openings jumps to 40.

FOUR of those openings are featured in Paid Help Wanted ads.

We have a few more details on a story covered in our UPDATE earlier week, that of a former ND named GM at a market one network o-and-o.

In Names in the News: More changes for Nexstar’s News Nation, and new assistant NDs for TWO network o-and-o’s.

And TWO new obituaries, one of a long ago Dallas ND, and one of a current assignment manager at a Philadelphia station.

Read on for details!

Newly Named News Directors:

Remarkably, after many weeks of a lot of action, I am not aware of any newly hired news directors. The holiday shortened week may, of course, played a role in that. If I’ve missed something, please send me an email to: rick@rickgevers.com

New News Director Openings:

Jackson

WOWK-TV, Charleston/Huntington, WV…the sad passing of news director ROD JACKSON means the search is on for his replacement. We told you last week that Rod lost his battle with cancer. He’d been the ND there for two years when he died at the age of 65 Rod moved to WOWK from his ND post at WBRE-TV in Wilkes-Barre to be closer to family. Many of you may remember him from his long tenure at ABC’s NewsOne in Los Angeles.

Moon

WREX-TV, Rockford, Il…AUDREY MOON is leaving this Quincy Media owned NBC affiliate to take a job outside of TV. She spent seven years at WREX, first as Internet Director, then Assistant ND, before being promoted to ND in March, 2020. You can learn more about this opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

And while not a new opening, there is a new ad just below for the open ND job at WCIA-TV in Champaign, IL.

Also, in last week’s report, we made an error which we have done before, and that’s accidentally move WVTM-TV from its proper home in Birmingham, AL, to Columbus, GA. Apologies to SUE STEPHENS whose upcoming retirement from WVTM prompted the mention.

Clearly I confused WVTM with WTVM-TV, which is in Columbus. Both stations are looking for NDs, so there’s every chance I could make this mistake again.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WCIA-TV, Champaign, IL:

#NexstarNation has an immediate opening for an experienced News Director to lead our team at WCIA in Champaign, Illinois (DMA #90.)

This is a #1 station committed to the communities it serves. We provide award-winning local news, producing more local programming than any station in the market. WCIA also produces extensive local special programming including debates, community forums, and sports programming.

The station is the official broadcast partner of The University of Illinois Fighting Illini.

The ideal candidate has a proven track record of success on broadcast and digital platforms. We are looking for someone who is a true communicator, collaborator, and team builder. We want someone who believes in innovation and dynamic storytelling.

You are in the middle of everything. Champaign is just two to three hours driving distance from Chicago, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.

More importantly, it’s a great place to live. This is an incredible chance to join the largest TV ownership group.

If you are an excellent leader who understands the true value of local broadcasters, apply here:

News Director, WREX-TV, Rockford, IL:

13 WREX is looking for a dynamic, innovative journalist committed to leading a group of talented journalists into the future of our industry.

Our news operation is content-focused and thrives off of journalists willing to think outside the box. We don’t just document what happened — we are storytellers.

WREX is committed to telling important, impactful stories that make a difference in our local communities. Our next news director must have a passion for seeking the truth and help identify important stories.

WREX has been named Station of the Year by the Illinois Broadcasters Assoc., Outstanding News Operation by the Illinois AP and the regional winner of the Edward R. Murrow Award for Overall Excellence. We’re looking for a candidate who strives for excellence in everything they do.

Other duties include hiring, coaching, supervising and evaluating news personnel, preparation and administration of newsroom budgets and capital requests. The news director works closely with other department managers to achieve the company’s overall performance goals.

A minimum of 4 years of TV news management experience and a degree in broadcast journalism is preferred. You must demonstrate a strong working knowledge of community issues and sound journalistic principles with fast, accurate journalistic and logistical judgments.

If you have a passion for excellence, and a desire to lead the best local broadcast news operation in Rockford, Illinois, we want to hear from you.

Please send resume & cover letter to:

Ed Reams
General Manager
13 WREX
P.O. Box 530
Rockford, IL 61105

ereams@wrex.com

News Director, WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA:

DOMINANT SOUTHEASTERN ABC AFFILIATE SEEKS EXPERIENCED AND DRIVEN NEWS MANAGER

WTVM NEWS LEADER 9, the ABC affiliate in the Columbus, GA/Auburn, AL market is seeking a Director of News and Content to oversee and manage the daily news product. WTVM produces local news on two other affiliates under separate Shared Services Agreements with WXTX, the FOX affiliate and WLTZ, the NBC affiliate.

All three stations carry content branded as News Leader 9: as in WTVM News Leader 9; News Leader 9 on FOX 54; and News Leader 9 on NBC 38.

Other duties of the Director of News and Content include oversight and management of the WTVM News and Weather apps, wtvm.com and mobile platforms including live streams.

WTVM is owned by Gray Television. Don’t let our market size of 127 fool you. We cover news in a two state, two time zone market, producing more than 40+ hours of live local news per week.

The Shared Services Agreements with WXTX and WLTZ mean that WTVM provides all station services (News, Marketing, Production and Engineering), except Sales. Each station retains its own Sales department.

The News and Content Director will manage the considerable assets of the News Department including reporters, producers, web producers, photographers, the Assistant News Director, Executive Producer, Assignment Editor and Digital Content Manager.

Please apply by clicking here.

No phone calls please. Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Cox Media Group in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a creative, team-oriented, and passionate journalist to lead the powerhouse WFOX/WJAX team as a News Director.

This is a rare opportunity for someone who possesses a passion for local news with network-level standards. The ideal candidate will be an expert recruiter, a visionary, a problem-solver and above all – a leader.

The Action News Jax newsroom is a well-oiled machine driven by aggressive, investigative storytelling, cutting-edge producing, the region’s best severe weather team, and a staff committed to our focused brand.

The Jacksonville market is one of the fastest growing in the nation. We’re home to Fortune 500 companies, world class beaches and outdoor sporting possibilities – and with the #1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft-a future Super Bowl contender.

You can learn more about this opportunity by checking out this link!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 6/27/21)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (listed 7/4/21)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 5/9/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/27/21)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 6/20/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (listed 7/4/21)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted 7/4/21)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (listing modified 5/16/21)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 5/9/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted this week)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (listed 5/16/21)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, listed 5/16/21)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 5/9/12)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 5/23/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listing revised 5/2/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Lifestyle show, relisted this week)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 6/13/21)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 5/31/21)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (EP/Digital Content, listed 5/23/21)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 6/13/21)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (Digital EP, listed 5/23/21)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (relisted this week)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/31/21)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (new listing this week)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 6/6/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (listed 7/4/21)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/6/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 6/13/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted 7/4/21)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted 7/4/21)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (relisted this week)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 5/16/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)

More News Management Openings:

New listings this week:

KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (Senior Manager of Investigative)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Real Time Desk Manager)

Relisted 6/27/21:

Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content

Listed 6/20/21:

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 6/6/21:

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/23/21:

WKOW-TV, Madison, WI, (Content Manager)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/16/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (Social Media Manager)

Obituaries:

Hughes

ERIC HUGHES, a longtime employee of ABC’s Philadelphia o-and-o, WPVI-TV, died Wednesday night. Eric spent many years as an assignment editor there. He had long suffered from a pulmonary illness and was a candidate for a double lung transplant but that did not happen. The station produced this story on its website with more details. He first joined the station twenty years ago.

Whitson

JOHN WHITSON, a 28 year veteran of television news, died Monday at the age of 90. His obituary says he was once the news director for Dallas’ KTVT-TV, where he also anchored. And this column from longtime Dallas media writer ED BARK says he also married his one-time co-anchor, KATHLEEN KREBS WHITSON, who survives.

Hinkle

We have a little more information about the passing of former news director STEVE HINKLE, whose death we reported last week. New this week: an email to the staff from Avid’s JEFF ROSICA to co-workers. Steve most recently had worked as an engineer for Avid after serving as an ND in several markets and as a news manager in many others.

Names in the News:

Nexstar’s News Nation has dramatically changed its prime-time programming lineup, as you’ll learn here.

New Assistant News Directors for two network owned stations, both moving within their companies.

Harrison

AKEMI HARRISON joins NBC’s Chicago station, WMAQ-TV as its new assistant ND, coming from sister NBC o-and-o WVIT-TV in Hartford. She replaces TRACY DAVIS who made the reverse trip, moving from the assistant ND job at WMAQ to WVIT as news director. Akemi has also worked at WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh and for KXTV in Sacramento.

Gardner

And SAMUEL GARDNER III joins CBS’s KTVT-TV in Dallas/Ft. Worth as content director and assistant news director. He was the assignment manager at CBS’s KYW-TV in Philadelphia. He’s also worked for CNN, the NFL Network, ABC NewsOne, and for stations in Atlanta (WSB-TV) and Charlotte (WSOC-TV).

General Manager News and Notes:

Green

We told you Tuesday that one-time news director JOHNNY GREEN Jr. will be the next GM for WCBS-TV in New York. Here’s the story from the station’s website. which includes a link to its on-air report. Johnny’s been the interim ND at WCBS since ND DAVID FRIEND and GM PETER DUNN left five months ago amidst complaints of a hostile work environment. Johnny first moved to NY as head of CBS’s Newspath from his job as ND for o-and-o WBZ-TV in Boston.

D’Amico

DONNA D’AMICO has been promoted to general manager for KXRM-TV (Nexstar/FOX) in Colorado Springs, CO. She’s been the sales manager there since 2016 and has also worked in Denver, for two stations in Cleveland, and in Albuquerque. Learn more in this station news release.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 11, 2021:

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

WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham, MA 02494
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy., #2 | Jacksonville, FL 32224 (see ad above!)
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk VA 23510
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701
WHAS-TV 520 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd.. Charleston, WV 25301
WOWK-TV 350 Quarrier St Charleston, WV 25301
WHAM-TV 4225 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester NY 14623
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KTAL-TV 3150 N Market St., Shreveport, LA 71137
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820 (see ad above!)
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac Michigan 49601
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906 (see ad above!)
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
WREX-TV 10322 Auburn Road Rockford, IL 61103 (see ad above!)
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802
WDIO-TV 10 Observation Rd., Duluth, MN 55811
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDTV 5 Television Drive. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
KSAN/KSLT-TV 2800 Armstrong St., San Angelo, TX 76903

**: Spanish language station

July 4, 2021

Tuesday, July 6th, 2021 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Longtime readers know of my habit of working sports cliches into this report, like today, when I can tell you that there is now a ‘hat trick’ of former news directors running TV stations in the number one market.

Green

That’s because JOHNNY GREEN, Jr., has been named GM for WCBS-TV in New York. Details here.

Johnny’s most recent full time job has been as VP/News Services for CBS, but he’s been the acting ND for WCBS since DAVID FRIEND (and Johnny’s predecessor as GM, PETER DUNN) left CBS earlier this year amidst complaints of a hostile work environment.

Johnny first joined CBS at the company’s Boston station, WBZ-TV, where he started as Assistant ND in 2015 and was promoted to ND less than a year later. He took the VP/News Services job less than a year ago.

His full career path is detailed on his Linkedin page.

Johnny’s the third leg of the aforementioned NYC hat track, joining WNBC-TV’s ERIC LERNER and WABC-TV’s CHAD MATTHEWS as former news directors now serving as GMs in New York.

One more thing…in Sunday night’s full newsletter, I (for about the 17th time) moved WVTM-TV in Birmingham to Columbus, GA, in reporting SUE STEPHENS‘ upcoming retirement as ND for that NBC affiliate. The similarly titled (though clearly not identically named WTVM-TV is in Columbus.
Apologies to Sue for the error.

It’s nice to have an UPDATE without an obituary in it. Hopefully that streak will continue.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

Best wishes to you and yours for a safe and happy Fourth of July.

Our weekly report has far too many obituaries this week, FIVE in all, and several of them very well regarded members of our industry.

Our traditional news brings details on TWO new news director openings, ONE created by the retirement of a three time ND. And there are TWO new NDs we’ll introduce you to.

The list of open ND jobs remains at 38. FIVE of those openings are among our SIX Paid Help Wanted ads.

TWO items in our GM category: a former ND moves to a top 15 market for her second GM job, while another former ND turned GM retires after 40+ years at the same station.

And in Names in the News…a new special projects producer in Chicago, a former Missouri ND finds a new job in Kansas City, we’ll share an interview with a new St. Louis news director on how he’s adjusting after 40+ years in an on-air role, and we’ll share how a New York station marked the retirement of its ND after eleven years.

Enjoy the holiday!

Newly Named News Directors:

Fuchs

KTRK-TV, Houston, TX…congratulations to KENTON FUCHS, the new ND for this ABC owned station. This news release details his promotion from head of content and data strategy, and explains his background. He replaces REHAN ASLAM who was promoted to ND at sister ABC o-and-o WABC-TV in New York. (In our UPDATE, we incorrectly told you that he replaces WENDY GRANATO, who was promoted to GM. Her promotion came several years ago: Rehan replaced her. Apologies to Wendy…and to you…for the error.)

Hackling

WRBL-TV, Columbus, GA…CONNOR HACKLING has been promoted to the top newsroom job for this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate. GM DAVID HART shared the email he sent to the staff. Connor joined WRBL in 2014 as the morning producer, advanced to 11:00 PM producer, then EP and Assistant News Director. He replaces GENE KIRKCONNELL who moved to Mobile as news director for sister Nexstar CBS station, WKRG-TV.

New News Director Openings:

Stephens

WVTM-TV, Birmingham, AL...one of our UPDATES this week told you that SUE STEPHENS is retiring after 40 years in our business, the last six as ND at this Hearst owned NBC affiliate. She spent 12 years as ND for another Hearst station, KOAT-TV in Albuquerque. Her first ND job was in Springfield, IL, and she’s worked as a photographer, director, producer, news manager in markets like Mobile, Atlanta, and Charleston, SC.

Gray

KVII-TV, Amarillo, TX…ROGER GRAY has left this Sinclair owned after a little more than two years as news director. His Linkedin page has more on his career history, which includes a stint as long run in Houston television and radio.

Also this week…while not a new opening, we do have a new ad just below for the open ND job at WTVM-TV in Columbus, GA.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WTVM-TV, Columbus, GA:

DOMINANT SOUTHEASTERN ABC AFFILIATE SEEKS EXPERIENCED AND DRIVEN NEWS MANAGER

WTVM NEWS LEADER 9, the ABC affiliate in the Columbus, GA/Auburn, AL market is seeking a Director of News and Content to oversee and manage the daily news product. WTVM produces local news on two other affiliates under separate Shared Services Agreements with WXTX, the FOX affiliate and WLTZ, the NBC affiliate.

All three stations carry content branded as News Leader 9: as in WTVM News Leader 9; News Leader 9 on FOX 54; and News Leader 9 on NBC 38.

Other duties of the Director of News and Content include oversight and management of the WTVM News and Weather apps, wtvm.com and mobile platforms including live streams.

WTVM is owned by Gray Television. Don’t let our market size of 127 fool you. We cover news in a two state, two time zone market, producing more than 40+ hours of live local news per week.

The Shared Services Agreements with WXTX and WLTZ mean that WTVM provides all station services (News, Marketing, Production and Engineering), except Sales. Each station retains its own Sales department.

The News and Content Director will manage the considerable assets of the News Department including reporters, producers, web producers, photographers, the Assistant News Director, Executive Producer, Assignment Editor and Digital Content Manager.

Please apply by clicking here.

No phone calls please. Gray is an equal opportunity employer.

News Director, WJAX/WFOX-TV, Jacksonville, FL:

Cox Media Group in Jacksonville, FL is seeking a creative, team-oriented, and passionate journalist to lead the powerhouse WFOX/WJAX team as a News Director.

This is a rare opportunity for someone who possesses a passion for local news with network-level standards. The ideal candidate will be an expert recruiter, a visionary, a problem-solver and above all – a leader.

The Action News Jax newsroom is a well-oiled machine driven by aggressive, investigative storytelling, cutting-edge producing, the region’s best severe weather team, and a staff committed to our focused brand.

The Jacksonville market is one of the fastest growing in the nation. We’re home to Fortune 500 companies, world class beaches and outdoor sporting possibilities – and with the #1 pick in this year’s NFL Draft-a future Super Bowl contender.

You can learn more about this opportunity by checking out this link!

News Director, WOOD-TV, Grand Rapids, MI:

What WOULD you do for the chance to run a TOP 50 legacy station as NEWS Director? WOULD you love working in a newsroom where storytelling and local news are your priorities? How WOULD you like to work for the largest TV ownership group in the country? WOULD you like to try?

WOOD-TV (NBC), WOTV (ABC) and WXSP (MyNet) located in the Grand Rapids – Kalamazoo – Battle Creek, Michigan (Market #41) have an immediate opening for a NEWS DIRECTOR.

The perfect candidate will be an experienced News Director who is an innovative and dynamic leader, possessing excellent news and ethical judgement, strong understanding of hard news and investigative brands, and has a passion to be the best in the market each and every day.

Responsibilities include managing daily news content across multiple platforms; hiring, training and mentoring producers, reporters, and anchors; overseeing special projects and daily operations in the newsroom.

If you WOULD like to be the next leader at WOOD TV- apply here:

News Director, WBRE/WYOU-TV, Wilkes-Barre, PA:

This is the market where it all started…

Join the largest TV ownership group in the country in Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (Market #58) as NEWS DIRECTOR.

A lot has changed since the early days of Nexstar Media Group 25 years ago. We now own 199 stations in 116 markets… But our commitment to the original market – now with WBRE/NBC and WYOU/CBS – and the original mission – serving our communities with LOCAL NEWS – is stronger than ever.

The perfect candidate for this perfect opportunity is collaborative, creative and competitive. We are looking for someone dynamic and innovative, with a proven track record of success on broadcast and digital platforms.

We are ready to move you so you can move us. This could be where it all starts for you, too. Imagine where Nexstar could take you.

Apply here!

Assistant News Director, WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY:

How often do you get the chance to build a local TV newsroom from the ground up? I know you’ve dreamed about it. (I know I have!)

Now’s your chance. Join the largest TV ownership group in the country in Lexington, Kentucky (Market #63) at WDKY Fox 56 as ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR.

Be a part of a special team getting ready to change the market. Oh, and why not do it in a city on U.S. News and World Report’s Best Places to Live list.

The leader we hire will manage day-to-day operations, with an emphasis on our morning newscast. You must appreciate the role research plays in best serving our digital audience and TV viewers. We are all about LOCAL news. And- we insist you value relationships and demonstrate it by being a strong, but empathetic, communicator.

It’s a great time to be a part of #NexstarNation. “Start-up” here… with no limits in sight! Apply today by clicking here.

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WPIX-TV, New York, NY (listed 6/27/21)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 6/13/21)
KSHB-TV, Kansas City, MO (new listing this week)
KTHV-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 5/9/21)
WDKY-TV, Lexington, KY (listed 6/27/21, see ad above!)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 6/20/21)
WSIL-TV, Harrisburg, IL (new listing this week)
KEZI-TV, Eugene, OR (relisted this week)
HOI-ABC, Peoria, IL (listing modified 5/16/21)
KWES-TV, Midland, TX (listed 5/9/21)
KTTC-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 4/25/21)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (listed 5/16/21)
WHDH-TV, Boston, MA (EP/Investigations, listed 5/16/21)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (relisted 5/9/12)
KDVR-TV, Denver, CO (AM EP, listed 5/16/21)
WOIO/WUAB-TV, Cleveland, OH (AM EP, listed 5/23/21)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listing revised 5/2/21)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KGTV, San Diego, CA (listed 6/27/21)
WDAF-TV, Kansas City, MO (Lifestyle show, relisted 5/9/21)
WCMH-TV, Columbus, OH (listed 6/13/21)
WXIX-TV, Cincinnati, OH (listed 5/31/21)
WSPA-TV, Spartanburg, SC (EP/Digital Content, listed 5/23/21)
KLAS-TV, Las Vegas, NV (listed 6/13/21)
KXAN-TV, Austin, TX (Digital EP, listed 5/23/21)
WXMI-TV, Grand Rapids, MI (listing revised 5/9/21)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (listed 5/31/21)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (listed 5/2/21)
WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (listed 6/6/21)
KJRH-TV, Tulsa, OK (new listing this week)
KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (listed 6/6/21)
WHNT/WHDF-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 6/13/21)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (Digital EP, listed 6/13/21)
WSAV-TV, Savannah, GA (relisted this week)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (relisted this week)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listed 5/2/21)
WJHL-TV, Johnson City, TN (Digital EP, relisted 6/13/21)
KLKN-TV, Lincoln, NE (AM EP, relisted 5/16/21)
KAAL-TV, Rochester, MN (listed 4/18/21)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (listed 6/27/21)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 6/27/21:

Spectrum Networks NY1 Senior Manager, News and Content

Listed 6/20/21:

KTVX-TV, Salt Lake City, UT (Digital Content Director)

Relisted 6/6/21:

WKRG-TV, Mobile, AL (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/23/21:

WKOW-TV, Madison, WI, (Content Manager)
KOLR-TV, Springfield, MO (Digital Content Manager)
WSYR-TV, Syracuse, NY (Digital Content Manager)

Listed 5/16/21:

News Nation, Chicago, IL (Social Media Manager)

Obituaries:

Last week, after a edition with no obituaries, a college friend wrote and asked “What, no obits?” With FIVE this week, I’m hoping he won’t jinx us again. We reported all of these in UPDATES during the week but have tried to provide new information where possible.

Jackson

ROD JACKSON was the news director for WOWK-TV in Huntington-Charleston, WV until his death Wednesday. Rod, just 65, lost his battle with cancer. New this edition: the station’s report on his death and his obituary. Rod moved to WOWK two years ago as it got him closer to family. He’s a former ND in Wilkes-Barre, PA, spent 13 years with ABC NewsOne in LA, and was proud that he spent 19 years as a reporter before moving into management.

Zehnder

FRED ZEHNDER, a long ago, long time, and well respected journalist who spent 19 years building KTVU-TV in San Francisco/Oakland, died Sunday. Fred was struck by an accused drunk driver while he was crossing the street. He was 87. New today: this story from the San Jose Mercury News. You’ll note I called Fred a journalist: he founded one newspaper and bought another in the Bay Area.

Breshears

Another well respected California journalist, CAROL BRESHEARS, also died Sunday. She was 84 and died of complications from a stroke. Carol spent more than 30 years on the assignment desk at Los Angeles’ KTTV and once served as ND in Santa Barbara. Former LA ND NANCY VALENTA shared the news in this email. Carol’s daughter, SUSAN BAYH, a former first lady of Indiana whose husband EVAN BAYH also served two terms in the US Senate, died earlier this year of cancer.

Hinkle

STEVE HINKLE, a several time news director who most recently worked as a project engineer for Avid, has died. I’ve not had much luck finding any new information, so if any readers can help I would be grateful. You can email me at: rick@rickgevers.com. Steve’s Facebook page did have this list of his career stops.

Romo

Finally, RIC ROMO, who spent more than 40 years with NBC News, and more than 30 of those working with the Today Show, died this week. He was 62 years old. The Today Show remembered him with this story.

Names in the News:

Barnes

POINESHA BARNES moves north to join ABC’s Chicago o-and-o, WLS-TV as special projects producer. She’s currently worked for another network owned station, KXAS-TV, the NBC owned station in Dallas, producing both newscasts and specials. She’s also worked as a producer in Memphis and began as a producer in Pensacola, FL, and Jackson, MS.

Hancock

CURTIS HANCOCK joins Scripps’ KSHB-TV (NBC) in Kansas City as its new executive producer. He most recently was ND at News Press & Gazette’s KMIZ-TV (ABC) in Columbia, MO, a job he left in May after six years. (Ironically, his replacement at KMIZ, SCOTT FLANNIGAN, joined from a different KC station. Curtis has also worked in San Antonio, Tulsa, and Springfield, MO.

Holliday

St. Louis Magazine checked in with ART HOLLIDAY, who was named ND at Tegna’s KSDK-TV (NBC) in St. Louis in March, after 40+ years in a variety of on-air roles. You can read his thoughts about his new job (he reports to Director of Content CAROL FOWLER). Art first joined the station as a weekend sports anchor/reporter, helped launch the station’s first morning newscast, and also served as EP of that program.

Malyn

Finally, WHAM-TV the Sinclair owned ABC affiliate in Rochester, NY, honored retiring news director MATT MALYN this week as he retired after 11 years there. Here’s the link to that story. We told you a few weeks ago about Matt’s retirement plans. He’s a former ND in Tucson and has worked in several other markets.

General Manager News and Notes:

Moreno

One-time ND turned GM CHRISTY MORENO will be the next boss for Tegna’s Seattle duopoly, KING-KONG-TV (NBC/independent). She’s been the GM for Tegna’s WHAS-TV (ABC) in Louisville since 2018,and will find a familiar face in the ND office: JULIE WOLFE, her ND at WHAS, just started at KING. Christy is a former ND at Tegna’s KUSA-TV in Denver and WBIR-TV in Knoxville, TN. She’s also worked in Houston and Wichita Falls, TX, and replaces JIM ROSE who is now GM at Nexstar’s KRON-TV in San Francisco.

Jensch

Another former ND turned GM, DAVE JENSCH, retired Wednesday after 43 years at KBJR-TV in Duluth, MN. As you’ll learn in this interesting story, he began there as a reporter and worked his way to the GM’s office. Congrats, Dave! The station is owned..for now at least..by Quincy Media and operates an NBC station over the air and a CBS station on a digital sub channel.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, July 4, 2021:

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

WCBS-TV 530 W. 57th St., New York, NY 10019
WCVB-TV 5 TV Place Needham, MA 02494
KMSP/WTTC-TV 11358 Viking Dr, Eden Prairie, MN 55344
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA 92102
WSMV-TV 5700 Knob Road, Nashville, TN, 37209
KUTV 299 South Main St. # 150, Salt Lake City, UT 84111 (see ad above!)
WHNS-TV 21 Interstate Court Greenville, SC 29615
WJAX/WFOX-TV 11700 Central Pkwy., #2 | Jacksonville, FL 32224 (see ad above!)
WAVY-TV 300 WAVY Street Portsmouth, VA 23704
WTKR-TV 720 Boush Street Norfolk VA 23510
WVTM-TV 1732 Valley View Dr. Birmingham, AL 35209
WOOD-TV 120 College Ave. SE Grand Rapids, MI 49503 (see ad above!)
WNEP-TV 16 Montage Mountain Rd, Moosic, PA 18507
WBRE/WYOU-TV 62 S Franklin St. Wilkes-Barre, PA, 18701 (see ad above!)
WHAS-TV 520 West Chestnut Street Louisville, KY 40202
WYMT-TV 199 Black Gold Blvd. Hazard, KY 41701
WCHS-TV 1301 Piedmont Rd.. Charleston, WV 25301
WHAM-TV 4225 West Henrietta Rd., Rochester NY 14623
KNVO-TV, 801 North Jackson Rd., McAllen TX 78501 **
KTAL-TV 3150 N Market St., Shreveport, LA 71137
WCIA-TV 509 S. Neil St., Champaign, IL 61820
WFFF/WVNV-TV 298 Mountain View Dr, Colchester, VT 05446
KFSM-TV 5101 S. 48th Street Springdale, AR 72762
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
WWTV/WWUP-TV P.O. Box 627, Cadillac Michigan 49601
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd.. Columbus, GA 31907
WTVM-TV 1909 Wynnton Rd Columbus, GA 31906 (see ad above!)
KVII-TV 1 Broadcast Center, Amarillo, TX 79101
KBJR-TV 246 South Lake Ave., Duluth MN 55802
WDIO-TV 10 Observation Rd., Duluth, MN 55811
KBMT-TV 525 Interstate 10 South, Beaumont, TX 77701
KTVQ-TV 3203 3rd Avenue North, Billings, MT 59101
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
WDTV 5 Television Drive. Bridgeport, WV 26330
WBKO-TV 2727 Russellville Rd., Bowling Green, KY 42101
KSAN/KSLT-TV 2800 Armstrong St., San Angelo, TX 76903

**: Spanish language station