Rick Gevers & Associates

November 1, 2020

Greetings:

FIVE new news directors to share in this week’s report, with NO new openings.

That drops our list of open ND jobs to just 21. And TWO of those open ND jobs are among our THREE paid help wanted ads.

We have lots of items in Names in the News with lots of news managers on the move, and, for the first time in a few weeks, we have a new GM to tell you about.

And…for those of you working in newsrooms…good luck on Tuesday night. I’m having cold pizza Tuesday night in your honor.

Newly Named News Directors:

Bradley

WBZ-TV, Boston, MA…we told you earlier this week that JESSI MILLER BRADLEY has been promoted to news director for CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston. More details here. She’s been at the station since 1997, holding a wide variety of positions, and replaces JOHNNY GREEN, Jr. who was promoted to VP of News Services for CBS News earlier this summer.

Sinn

WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI…that Thursday UPDATE also brought news that MATT SINN is the new ND for this Hearst ABC affiliate. He’s been the Assistant ND here since 2015 and earlier worked as an EP and producer in Tampa. Matt replaces BEN HART who was promoted to GM of Hearst’s WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA, after three years as ND here.

Villarreal

KXXV-TV, Waco, TX…SYLVIA VILLARREAL is being promoted to ND for this Scripps’ owned ABC affiliate. The station shared the news here. She been the Assistant ND here and first joined the station in 2015 as the executive producer. Sylvia replaces JOSH EURE who left the station last month after one year as ND.

WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI…this open ND position has been filled, but the announcement won’t come until later this week.

Cummings

KIDK/KIFI-TV, Idaho Falls, ID…veteran news director BILL CUMMINGS joined this News Press & Gazette duopoly in August as its next ND. He’s been ND at a number of stations as his Linkedin page explains. CURTIS JACKSON, who’d been the ND here, stays on the staff as Multi Platform Executive Producer. He’s a 30 year veteran of the station.

New News Director Openings:

As far as I know, there were no new news directors hired this week.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Vice President/News, Altice USA’s News 12- New York region:

This is a dream job for a digitally minded television executive who thrives on all facets of content and who aspires to do it on a network in the fast paced media capital of the world. Seven newsrooms, three states and hundreds of journalists with one mission: leveraging the hometown hyperlocal connection our audience of almost five million viewers and digital users expect from a brand that keeps them safe and connected in an uncertain world.

You would be a key decision maker and innovator on a corporate team that’s also backed by the significant resources of Altice USA, America’s fourth largest cable company, and its live streaming financial news network, Cheddar. The expectation is that you will bring know-how and passion to evolve and execute a multi-platform brand in key areas such as breaking news and weather, investigative news and audience targeted efforts to help them through these Covid challenged times.

Your executive skills in administration are vital as you navigate all facets of this network from budgets, HR and legal areas to the constant need to find, grow and promote the best journalists with a commitment to diversify staff. Your demonstrated teamwork with our creative partners in marketing and design are core to success.

If you have lead a big brand digital and/or television news operation and have ideas that generate audience and/or revenue and that can catapult News 12, this could be your job.

Apply by clicking here!

News Director, KION-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA:

KION News Channel 5, located in beautiful Monterey County, California, is seeking an extraordinary journalist to lead a growing news team. In addition, to CBS we produce news daily on CW and Telemundo.

Our News Director will be a visionary coach who understands how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skillset to maximize content and customer engagement on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long-range planning, special news coverage and station projects.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss:

Previous experience
Creative approaches to building and innovating news brand
Digital and social strategies
Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources

KION was acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company in December 2013, and has recently made significant capital investments to build a strong local news organization.

Candidate must pass a drug test and background check. A valid driver’s license is required.

Please apply online by submitting brief cover letter that includes resume, and source of referral.

Learn more and apply here.

News Director, WTVO-TV, Rockford, IL:

Nexstar Nation has an immediate opening for a News Director in Rockford, IL (Mkt #138.)

The ideal candidate knows news, loves to lead, and is a natural born coach. Our News Director will oversee more than 40 hours of news a week at WQRF (FOX) and WTVO (ABC.) This is an exceptional opportunity to join the nation’s largest media company. We offer more news and locally produced programming than any other station in the market as well as unmatched digital delivery on https://www.mystateline.com/.

The Rockford market is just a stone’s throw from Chicago, settled along the banks of the Rock River and the serene rolling green hills of Northern Illinois.

We have all the amenities of a big city, but with a “small town” feel.

Ready for your next challenge?

Then click here and apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/27/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (new listing this week)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
WTXL, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/4/11)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Entertainment EP, listed 10/11/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WOFL-TV, Orlando, FL (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (Digital EP, new listing this week)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital Content EP, listed 10/25/20)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Listed 9/27/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/20/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted 10/11/20)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 10/4/11)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (Digital EP, listed 10/25/20)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (PM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 9/27/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 9/27/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 9/20/20)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (listed 10/25/20)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, relisted 10/25/20)
WFFT-TV, Ft. Wayne, IN (new listing this week)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 10/25/20)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/18/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (relisted 10/11/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted 10/25/20)

More News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Content Manager)
WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Listed 10/25/20:

Vice President/News, Altice USA’s News 12- New York (see ad above!)

Relisted 10/25/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 10/4/20:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)

Listed 9/6/20

WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Relisted 9/6/20

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)

Names in the News (and other items):

At Scripps’ WCPO-TV in Cincinnati, DAVID McDONALD has been promoted to Senior Manager of Broadcast. He’s been the Content Manager for that ABC affiliate.

TAYLOR BECK returns to Louisville as Assistant News Director for Tegna’s WHAS-TV. ND JULIE WOLFE shared the news with the staff. Taylor is currently an EP at sister Tegna station WTHR-TV in Indianapolis, but worked at Louisville’s WAVE-TV before heading north on I-65 to Indy. She’s also worked in Columbia, MO.

Riley

WOWK-TV in Charleston, WV has filled its vacant Assistant news director position with one-time TERESA RILEY. News Director ROD JACKSON told the staff in this email. She’s a former news director in Laredo, TX and Columbus, GA, who’s spent many years as a large market photojournalist in Oklahoma City and most recently for a station in Dallas.

Snuffer

MIKE SNUFFER is now the Assistant ND for Gray’s KFVS-TV in Cape Girardeau, MO. Mike spent many years competing against KFVS when he was ND for WSIL-TV in the same market. He left and became ND for KLKN-TV in Lincoln, NE, but had to return to care for his wife who suffered a stroke. And Mike tells me she’s improving but a long way to go.

General Manager News and Notes:

JESSICA HAGAN has been named President and GM of Tegna’s KTVB-TV in Boise, ID. Here’s the news release from the company. She’s currently the sales manager at Tegna’s KING-TV in Seattle. She’s worked in the Seattle market for KING…and its sister properties KONG-TV and the now defunct cable system Northwest Cable News since 2003.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, November 1, 2020:

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
KAKW-TV 2233 W. North Loop Austin,TX 78756 **
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905 (see ad above!)
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WCBI-TV, 201 5th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
WTVO/WGRF-TV P.O. Box 470. Rockford, IL 61105 (see ad above!)
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20. Odessa, TX 79763
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001

**: Spanish language station

October 25, 2020

Thursday, October 29, 2020 UPDATE:

Greetings:

A top 10 market network owned station has a new news director today. That’s one of two changes in this update.

Bradley

JESSI MILLER BRADLEY has been promoted to news director for CBS’s WBZ-TV in Boston. She’s a 23 year veteran of the station, having joined as a producer in 1997. More in this post. Most recently she’s been the EP for CBSN Boston, the station’s streaming service.

She replaces JOHHNY GREEN, Jr., who was promoted to VP of News Services for CBS News last July.

Sinn

And one more promotion makes MATT SINN the next ND for WISN-TV, Hearst’s ABC affiliate in Milwaukee. Details here. He’s been the Assistant ND there since 2015 and earlier worked for 10 years in Tampa as a producer and EP. He replaces BEN HART who was promoted to GM for Hearst’s WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA.

We’ll have a few smaller market ND hires in our full report this weekend.

regards,

Rick Gevers

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

Greetings:

After a quiet week last issue, we have lots of movement and lots of news.

There are THREE newly named news directors and TWO new openings. Thus, our count of open ND jobs is 25. TWO of those openings are among our THREE paid help wanted ads.

And that THIRD ad is for a senior management position at a large cable news operation.

We have TWO obituaries, both of multi-time news directors who left the business a few years ago. Sadly, both were only in their 60’s.

Lots of news managers on the move, and, for some reason, there are no GM changes again…that’s a multi-week streak.

All that and more, below.

Newly Named News Directors:

WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL…STEPHEN GALLIEN joins this Allen Media Broadcasting owned ABC affiliate as its next news director. Here’s the news release from the station. Gallien has been the Assistant ND for WBMA-TV in Birmingham for the last three years and has spent most of his career in Alabama. He replaces MATT STEIN who left earlier this month after four years as ND.

Maliska

WEEK/WHOI-TV, Peoria, IL…veteran newsman GAVIN MALISKA is joining this Quincy Media owned NBC/ABC duopoly as ND. Details in this news release. Gavin’s been an ND in Orlando and Indianapolis among others, has worked in management positions in Chicago and Detroit, and began his career in newspapers. He replaces LON LUCAS who left in September and is now ND for WLFI-TV in Lafayette, IN.

Grissom

WETM-TV, Elmira, NY…STONE GRISSOM gets his first ND job at this Nexstar owned NBC affiliate. He’s a former lawyer who moved to TV and has anchored at News 12 Long Island for the last 10 years. Stone’s also anchored in Baton Rouge. At WETM, he replaces MARK SILBERSTEIN who left in August and is now ND at KRIS-TV in Corpus Christi.

New News Director Openings:

Martinez

KAKW-TV, Austin, TX…ISMAEL MARTINEZ has left this Univision owned and operated station. He’s been ND there for the last 4+ years, his second stint as news director, the first coming from 2007-2014. Ismael spent 17 year there during his career. He also served as an executive producer, news operations supervisor, and assignment director.

DeLeon

WTVO/WQRF-TV, Rockford, IL…this ABC/FOX duopoly is looking for a new news director to replace ALEX DeLEON, who held the job for the last three years. He also was an EP there before being promoted. WQRF is owned by Nexstar, which operates Mission Broadcasting-owned WTVO under a shared services agreement. Learn more about the opportunity in the Paid Help Wanted ad below.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

Vice President/News, Altice USA’s News 12- New York region:

This is a dream job for a digitally minded television executive who thrives on all facets of content and who aspires to do it on a network in the fast paced media capital of the world. Seven newsrooms, three states and hundreds of journalists with one mission: leveraging the hometown hyperlocal connection our audience of almost five million viewers and digital users expect from a brand that keeps them safe and connected in an uncertain world.

You would be a key decision maker and innovator on a corporate team that’s also backed by the significant resources of Altice USA, America’s fourth largest cable company, and its live streaming financial news network, Cheddar. The expectation is that you will bring know-how and passion to evolve and execute a multi-platform brand in key areas such as breaking news and weather, investigative news and audience targeted efforts to help them through these Covid challenged times.

Your executive skills in administration are vital as you navigate all facets of this network from budgets, HR and legal areas to the constant need to find, grow and promote the best journalists with a commitment to diversify staff. Your demonstrated teamwork with our creative partners in marketing and design are core to success.

If you have lead a big brand digital and/or television news operation and have ideas that generate audience and/or revenue and that can catapult News 12, this could be your job.

Apply by clicking here!

News Director, KION-TV, Salinas/Monterey, CA:

KION News Channel 5, located in beautiful Monterey County, California, is seeking an extraordinary journalist to lead a growing news team. In addition, to CBS we produce news daily on CW and Telemundo.

Our News Director will be a visionary coach who understands how to produce compelling and distinctive content on all multi-media platforms. Must have proven skillset to maximize content and customer engagement on digital and social media platforms. Must demonstrate a passion for the product with strong oversight and consistent communication and feedback.

The successful candidate will be called upon to provide strategic direction for daily news coverage as well as working closely with the General Manager on long-range planning, special news coverage and station projects.

Applicants should be prepared to discuss:

Previous experience
Creative approaches to building and innovating news brand
Digital and social strategies
Effective use of social media in a broadcast environment
Previous experience managing financial, technical and people resources

KION was acquired by News-Press & Gazette Company in December 2013, and has recently made significant capital investments to build a strong local news organization.

Candidate must pass a drug test and background check. A valid driver’s license is required.

Please apply online by submitting brief cover letter that includes resume, and source of referral.

Learn more and apply here.

News Director, WTVO-TV, Rockford, IL:

Nexstar Nation has an immediate opening for a News Director in Rockford, IL (Mkt #138.)

The ideal candidate knows news, loves to lead, and is a natural born coach. Our News Director will oversee more than 40 hours of news a week at WQRF (FOX) and WTVO (ABC.) This is an exceptional opportunity to join the nation’s largest media company. We offer more news and locally produced programming than any other station in the market as well as unmatched digital delivery on https://www.mystateline.com/.

The Rockford market is just a stone’s throw from Chicago, settled along the banks of the Rock River and the serene rolling green hills of Northern Illinois.

We have all the amenities of a big city, but with a “small town” feel.

Ready for your next challenge?

Then click here and apply!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/27/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/6/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (relisted 10/4/11)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
WTXL, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/4/11)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Entertainment EP, listed 10/11/20)
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (listing 9/27/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WOFL-TV, Orlando, FL (Dayside EP, new listing this week)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (Digital Content EP, new listing this week)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (listed 9/27/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/20/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted 10/11/20)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 10/4/11)
KSEE/KGPE-TV, Fresno, CA (Digital EP, new listing this week)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (PM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 9/27/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 9/27/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 9/20/20)
KTSM-TV, El Paso, TX (new listing this week)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Digital EP, listed 10/11/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted this week)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (listed 10/18/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (relisted 10/11/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (relisted this week)

More News Management Openings:

New listing this week:

Vice President/News, Altice USA’s News 12- New York (see ad above!)

Relisted this week:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 10/4/20:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)

Listed 9/6/20

WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Relisted 9/6/20

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)

Obituaries:

Sorry to share the news of the passing of two former news directors, both of whom left our business a number of years ago.

Hulnick

ERIC HULNICK died this week in Florida after a very short battle with lung cancer. He was 69. During his career, he was an ND in San Francisco (KNTV/NBC) Indianapolis (WRTV/ABC) and two stations in Las Vegas. He also worked in San Diego and Reno. Eric left TV and moved to Florida where he worked in advertising and marketing. His friend and former co-worker ADAM BRADSHAW shared these memories.

Hadwal

And we were just alerted this week to the passing of another former ND, DREW HADWAL. Drew was 62 when he died in April. He worked as an ND in a few small Texas markets after beginning his career as a reporter. After leaving TV he worked as a voice over artist. More details about this life and career in this obituary.

Names in the News (and other items):

Lake

HILLARY LAKE heads up I-71 to Columbus, OH, where she’s been named Executive Producer of Innovation for Tegna’s WBNS-TV (CBS). She’s spent the last four years at WCPO-TV (Scripps/ABC) in Cincinnati, first as an investigative reporter. She also added the tile of Manager of Investigative Content in 2018. She’s also worked in Portland, OR, Knoxville, TN, and Medford, OR.

They’ve been busy at Scripps, filling a number of news management positions.

Hall

PANSY HALL joins KNXV-TV (ABC) in Phoenix as an EP. She’s currently an EP for KOKH-TV in Oklahoma City, and has also worked in Memphis (three stations), Little Rock and Macon, GA.

MICHAEL DORIA, who’s reported in several markets, is the new Content Manager for WFTX-TV (FOX) in Ft. Myers.

At WGBA-TV (NBC) in Green Bay, MATT JARCHOW moves from an MMJ role into a newly created EP position. He’s also worked in Syracuse.

And OLIVIA DICKINSON is the new Assistant News Director for KOAA-TV (NBC) in Colorado Springs. She most recently was an EP at KCPQ-TV in Seattle and has also worked in Greensboro and Lubbock.

Thus endeth the Scripps news. 🙂

Smith

Bill Smith is the new Digital Director for KARK/KLRT-TV (Nexstar) in Little Rock, AR. He joins the team from KCTV in Kansas City. Smith has an extensive history on digital platforms at KPTV in Portland, OR; KSHB-TV in Kansas City; and KOMU-TV in Columbia, MO.

General Manager News and Notes:

No changes, again, this week to my knowledge.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 25, 2020:

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

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WISN-TV 759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
KAKW-TV 2233 W. North Loop Austin,TX 78756 **
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
KXXV-TV 1909 S New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WSYM-TV 600 W. Saint Joseph St. Suite 47, Lansing, MI 48933
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905 (see ad above!)
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WCBI-TV, 201 5th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
WTVO/WGRF-TV P.O. Box 470. Rockford, IL 61105 (see ad above!)
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20. Odessa, TX 79763
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001

**: Spanish language station

October 18, 2020

Greetings:

For one of the few times in the 24+ year history of this publication, I have NO new news directors or news director vacancies to report.

That leaves our count of open ND jobs at 26. One of those openings if featured in our only Paid Help Wanted ad below.

What we may lack in news director movement, we make up for (I hope) in items in Names in the News. There are FIVE items below, including the retirement of a four time ND, another retirement of a former ND who continued to anchor at his station for 22 years after giving up the ND job, and other items.

Those are all below.

Have a great week.

Newly Named News Director:

If there was a new news director named this week, I missed if. Please set me straight with an email! rick@rickgevers.com

New News Director Openings:

To the best of my knowledge, there are NO new openings this week. If you know of a vacancy that I don’t have listed below, please let me know via email: rick@rickgevers.com

Paid Help Wanted Ad:

News Director, WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL:

WAAY-31 News is looking for a competitive, organized and motivational individual to lead the News Department of WAAY TV, Channel 31 (ABC) in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Huntsville, Alabama (DMA Market 78).

A background check and pre-employment drug screen are required.

Lead a team of dedicated individuals who will join their leader in focusing on development of the region’s premiere newsroom, rooted in journalistic integrity, at North Alabama’s ABC network affiliate. WAAY-TV is a legacy station with a history of service to the region, one of the most recognized local television brands in need of a strong, positive leader. Huntsville is known as “Rocket City,” home to space exploration, past and future with a heavy NASA presence, the U.S. Army’s highly respected Redstone Arsenal, high-tech development and ingenuity and home to the second-largest research park in the country. U.S. News and World Report designated Huntsville as the “best affordable place to live in the U.S.”

You can learn more and apply by clicking here.

Or you can apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and references to Jobs@waaytv.com

Or by mail to:

News Director Applicant
WAAY-TV
1000 Monte Sano Blvd.
Huntsville, AL 35801

No phone calls accepted. WAAY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our company expects top performance and results and provides the support and culture to win. WAAY believes that local television is rewarding and fun in a market that is rocket science! Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and 401K plans!

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/27/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/6/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 8/23/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (relisted 10/4/11)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/20/20)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
WTXL, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/4/11)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Entertainment EP, listed 10/11/20)
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (listing 9/27/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Listed 9/27/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/20/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted 10/11/20)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (PM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 9/27/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 9/27/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 9/20/20)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, listed 8/16/20)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Digital EP, listed 10/11/20)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/16/20)
WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI (new listing this week)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (relisted 10/11/20)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 8/16/20)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 10/4/20:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)

Listed 9/6/20

WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Relisted 9/6/20

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)

Listed 8/23/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 8-16-20:

KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)

Names in the News (and other items):

Stanley

This week’s UDPATE told you about RANDAL STANLEY’s retirement at the end of the year. He’s been VP Operations for Altice’s News 12 Networks (serving the NY area) for the past two years, and earlier spent 12 years as VP/News for News 12 New Jersey. Here’s the note to staff from Altice’s SVP JACQUES NATZ.

Randal’s also been an ND in Washington, DC, Cleveland, Buffalo, and Lincoln, NE, and he’s also worked in Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Salt Lake City. You’ll remember he lost his wife, JENNA, when she died suddenly in June at the age of 54.

Osborne

STUART OSBORNE has a new job, and he stayed with the same company and will work in the same state. He’s the new Assistant News Director for Sinclair’s Dayton duopoly, WKEF/WRGT-TV. Stuart’s been the Digital Executive Producer for another Sinclair duopoly, WSYX/WTTE-TV just up the road in Columbus, OH, where he worked for ten years in a variety of jobs.

Parker

DAVE PARKER is the new spokesman for the Arkansas Department of Transportation. More details here. Dave most recently was ND for KTHV-TV in Little Rock, a job he left in December after seven years. He’s also been an ND in Chattanooga, and held management jobs in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Memphis, where he moved into management after beginning as a reporter in several smaller markets.

Cannon

Speaking of Arkansas, longtime Little Rock Ft. Smith anchor (and one time news director) CRAIG CANNON is retiring after 37 years at KHBS/KHOG-TV. He started there in October, 1983 and was quickly prompted to news director, a job he held until an ownership change in 1998. Craig will retire on November 25th. (A coincidence, I’m sure, but I believe that’s the last day of the November book.)

Haddix

Investigative Reporters and Editors is looking for a new executive director after the announcement this week that DOUG HADDIX is retiring after four years in the job. Here’s the IRE news release. He’ll leave in early January from his second stint at IRE, the first as an IRE training director from 2008-2011. Doug’s also worked in newsrooms in Ohio, Illinois, Indiana and Pennsylvania.

By the way, in our report last week about WTVR-TV‘s (Richmond) RTDNA Overall Excellence Award, we incorrectly identitied the station owner, which is Scripps. That means both the small market AND large market overall excellence awards went to Scripps’ stations, as KMGH-TV in Denver was similarly honored.

General Manager News and Notes:

No changes this week to my knowledge.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 18, 2020:

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

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WISN-TV 759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 (see ad above!)
KXXV-TV 1909 S New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WSYM-TV 600 W. Saint Joseph St. Suite 47, Lansing, MI 48933
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WCBI-TV, 201 5th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20. Odessa, TX 79763
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001

**: Spanish language station

October 11, 2020

Thursday, October 15, 2020 UPDATE:

Greetings:

Two departures around the end of the year in today’s UPDATE.

Stanley

RANDAL STANLEY is retiring from his job as VP/News Operations for News 12, the 24 hour cable news operation,  at the end of the year. Here’s the email from News 12 GM and Senior Vice President JACQUES NATZ.

Randal’s been with News 12 for 14 years, the first 12 as VP/News Director for News 12 New Jersey. He’s also been a news director in Washington, DC, Buffalo, Cleveland and Lincoln, NE and has also worked in Indianapolis, Baltimore, and Salt Lake City.

You may remember Randal lost his wife, JENNA, when she died suddenly last June at the age of 54.

He told me this morning he’ll do some traveling, including to Las Vegas where his daughter lives. It’s possible we may meet at a blackjack table.

Haddix

And DOUG HADDIX, Executive Director of IRE, has announced his resignation. He’ll leave the organization in early January after four years.

More details in this news release. The organization will begin a search for his replacement.

We’ll have all the week’s news in our full newsletter this weekend.

regards,

gevers

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

Greetings:

While there is only ONE new news director to report this week, it’s a big move, as TARA FINESTONE leaves KCBS for the ND job at KIRO-TV in Seattle.

And the vacancy she leaves at KCBS is one of THREE ND openings.

Those changes leave our list of open ND jobs at 26.

TWO of those openings are featured in Paid Help Wanted ads below.

We also have the full length of the National Edward R. Murrow Award winners, a new job for a former ND turned agent, and a reunion in Charlotte.

That’s all below.

Newly Named News Director:

Finestone

KIRO-TV, Seattle, WA…TARA FINESTONE is returning to Seattle as ND for this Cox Media Group owned CBS affiliate. Tara was a producer at KIRO from 2000-2003. She’s spent the last 2 1/2 years as ND for KCBS-TV in Los Angeles. (Of note: In Seattle, she will compete against the man who hired her as the Assistant ND at KCBS, BILL DALLMAN, now the ND at KOMO-TV) She’s also worked for two other LA stations and in Spokane, WA. Tara replaces JOHN LaPORTE who left after a year as ND to return to Milwaukee, where he’s the Assistant ND for WDJT-TV.

New News Director Openings:

KCBS-TV, Los Angeles, CA…as we shared above, TARA FINESTONE is leaving this CBS owned station to return to KIRO-TV (Cox Media Group/CBS) as ND. She was ND here for about 2 1/2 years, and first joined the station as Assistant ND in 2016. Her replacement will be the fourth ND in just over five years here.

WSYM-TV, Lansing, MI…this Scripps owned FOX affiliate is gearing up to produce its own local newscasts. The station has been airing newscasts produced by WILX-TV, Gray’s ABC affiliate there. More details in this news release.

Lowell

KMID-TV, Midland, TX…veteran Texas news director DAVID LOWELL has exited the Nexstar owned ABC affiliate after three years as ND. He earlier spent 28 years as an ND in Beaumont. David’s also worked in Oklahoma City, Springfield, and Columbia MO. He tells me he plans to move to Austin, TX (where his grand children are) and look for something outside of TV.

Please note the paid ads below for the news director’s job at WAAY-TV in Huntsville, AL, and the VP/News opening at NBC’s WCAU-TV in Philadelphia.

Paid Help Wanted Ads:

News Director, WAAY-TV, Huntsville, AL:

WAAY-31 News is looking for a competitive, organized and motivational individual to lead the News Department of WAAY TV, Channel 31 (ABC) in one of the most beautiful cities in the country, Huntsville, Alabama (DMA Market 78).

A background check and pre-employment drug screen are required.

Lead a team of dedicated individuals who will join their leader in focusing on development of the region’s premiere newsroom, rooted in journalistic integrity, at North Alabama’s ABC network affiliate. WAAY-TV is a legacy station with a history of service to the region, one of the most recognized local television brands in need of a strong, positive leader. Huntsville is known as “Rocket City,” home to space exploration, past and future with a heavy NASA presence, the U.S. Army’s highly respected Redstone Arsenal, high-tech development and ingenuity and home to the second-largest research park in the country. U.S. News and World Report designated Huntsville as the “best affordable place to live in the U.S.”

You can learn more and apply by clicking here.

Or you can apply by emailing a cover letter, resume, and references to Jobs@waaytv.com

Or by mail to:

News Director Applicant
WAAY-TV
1000 Monte Sano Blvd.
Huntsville, AL 35801

No phone calls accepted. WAAY is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our company expects top performance and results and provides the support and culture to win. WAAY believes that local television is rewarding and fun in a market that is rocket science! Benefits include medical, dental, vision, and 401K plans!

 Vice President of News, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA:

Given the events happening in our world, local news is more vital than ever. It informs our community and helps people when other avenues for assistance are blocked. Which means the person leading a local newsroom must have vision, integrity, and an innovative spirit.

That’s who we’re looking for at NBC 10/Telemundo 62 in Philadelphia to become the stations’ next Vice President of News.

This NBC Owned Television Station seeks a dynamic and experienced news leader to guide its newsroom as it serves the tri-state area. Whether it’s breaking news at the top or an investigative piece diving deep into a local issue, this person will elevate the entire team to create compelling content and impactful engagement across linear and digital platforms.

We need someone who values storytelling and understands that Investigative, Weather, Breaking News, and Consumer stories help define our brand promise to our viewers, users and employees.

And, it doesn’t hurt that the station is located in the state-of-the-art Comcast Technology Center which features the most dynamic digital technology in the industry.

If you’re passionate about local journalism, have experience running a forward-thinking newsroom and leading a team of dedicated journalists – consider applying to be our next Vice President of News at the link below.

Apply here!

Other News Management Openings:

ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:

WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 8/30/20)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 9/27/20)
WHAS-TV, Louisville, KY (listed 9/6/20)
WKEF/WRGT-TV, Dayton, OH (listed 8/16/20)
WGBA-TV, Green Bay, WI (relisted 8/23/20)
WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (relisted 10/4/11)
KOAA-TV, Colorado Springs, CO (listed 9/20/20)
KFSM-TV, Ft. Smith, AR (listed 9/6/20)
WTXL, Tallahassee, FL (listed 10/4/11)

EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:

KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (Entertainment EP, new listing this week)
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown MD (listing 9/27/20)
WGCL-TV, Atlanta, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KNXV-TV, Phoenix, AZ (listed 8/9/20)
KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA (AM EP, listed 9/13/20)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (PM EP, relisted 9/13/20)
WSMV-TV, Nashville, TN (Listed 9/27/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (AM EP, listed 8/30/20)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (EP of Innovation, listed 8/30/20)
WPTV, West Palm Beach, FL (listed 9/20/20)
WTKR-TV, Norfolk, VA (listed 9/20/20)
WATN-TV Memphis TN (listed 9/6/20)
WIVB-TV, Buffalo, NY (Digital EP, relisted this week)
WRIC-TV, Richmond, VA (AM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WLUK-TV, Green Bay, WI (PM EP, listed 10/4/11)
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 9/27/20)
KSNW-TV, Wichita, KS (listed 8/23/20)
WNEM-TV, Flint/Saginaw, MI (listed 9/27/20)
KVEO-TV, Brownsville, TX (listed 9/20/20)
WBTW-TV, Florence/Myrtle Beach, SC (Digital EP, listed 8/16/20)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (Digital EP, new listing this week)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (PM EP, relisted 8/16/20)
WMAZ-TV, Macon, GA (listed 9/6/20)
KRIS-TV, Corpus Christi, TX (relisted 8/23/20)
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR (relisted this week)

MANAGING EDITOR:

WSLS-TV, Roanoke, VA (listed 8/16/20)

More News Management Openings:

Relisted 10/4/20:

WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Senior Manager of Broadcast Content)
WFRV-TV, Green Bay, WI (Digital Content Director)

Listed 9/6/20

WFTX-TV, Ft. Myers, FL (Content Manager)

Relisted 9/6/20

KOKI-TV, Tulsa, OK (AM Content Manager)

Listed 8/23/20:

WOWK-TV, Charleston, WV (Digital Content Manager)

Relisted 8-16-20:

KARK/KLRT-TV, Little Rock, AR (Digital Director)

Names in the News (and other items):

Congratulations to ABC News, KMGH-TV (Scripps/ABC) and WTVR-TV (NexstarScripps/CBS) which won Overall Excellence Awards in this year’s RTDNA EDWARD R. MURROW awards. The complete (and lengthy) list of all the winners can be found here.

Bothwell

One time news director turned agent MIKE BOTHWELL has moved to Charlotte where he will be the Program Manager for Talent Acquisition for Spectrum Networks. Mike tells me he made the move to be closer to his parents and family in Charlotte. He’s a former ND in Harrisburg, PA, Steubenville, OH, and Bend, OR, and also worked in Pittsburgh (two stations) and Palm Desert, CA.

Otto

They’re putting the band back together in Charlotte, where CLAIRE OTTO joins WJYZ-TV (Nexstar/FOX) as the Assistant News Director. The move reunites her with ND CASEY CLARK. They held the same jobs at KCTV in Kansas City. Claire’s also worked for another Kansas City station, as well as Portland, OR, and Des Moines. Her entire career path is on her Linkedin page.

General Manager News and Notes:

No changes this week to my knowledge.

Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:

Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, October 11, 2020:

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

KCBS-TV 4200 Radford Ave, Studio City, CA 91604
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WCAU-TV 1800 Arch Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 (see ad above!)
KHOU-TV 5718 Westheimer Rd Houston, TX 77057
WBZ-TV 1170 Soldiers Field Road, Boston, MA 02134
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
WTMO-TV 1650 Sand Lake Rd. # 340 Orlando, FL 32809 **
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
WTVD-TV 411 Liberty St Durham, NC 27701
WISN-TV 759 N. 19th St. Milwaukee, WI 53233
WDSU-TV 846 Howard Ave New Orleans, LA 70113
WNYT-TV 715 North Pearl Street, Albany, NY 12204
WFXR-TV 5305 Valleypark Dr. #1, Roanoke, VA 24019
WAAY-TV 1000 Monte Sano Blvd SE, Huntsville, AL 35801 (see ad above!)
KXXV-TV 1909 S New Rd. Waco, TX 76711
WSYM-TV 600 W. Saint Joseph St. Suite 47, Lansing, MI 48933
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WEEK-TV 2907 Springfield Rd, East Peoria, IL 61611
KION-TV 1550 Moffett St. Salinas, CA 93905
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
WCBI-TV, 201 5th Street South, Columbus, MS 39701
KOMU-TV 5550 Old 63 S, Columbia, MO 65201
KMID-TV 1550 West I-20. Odessa, TX 79763
WETM-TV 101 East Water St. Elmira, NY 14901
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
KGWN-TV 2923 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne, WY 82001

**: Spanish language station