December 15, 2019
Thursday, December 19, 2019 UPDATE:
Greetings:
Another newsman moves to the GM’s office, and he’s got a big job ahead of him.
Siegel
BILL SIEGEL, who’s spent the last four years as senior director of content strategy for Scripps, is off to South Florida as General Manager for the company’s WSFL-TV in Miami-Fort Lauderdale. He’ll be hiring a news director and a complete staff to launch news on that CW affiliate.
That probably means Bill has a lot of new friends this afternoon. 🙂
Here’s the news release with all the details.
Bill’s a former ND for WWL-TV in New Orleans, and held news management positions in St. Louis, Milwaukee, and San Antonio, and worked as a producer in Palm Springs.
We’ll see you this weekend with our full newsletter.
regards,
gevers
**** ***** ****
Greetings:
Another busy week, with THREE new openings and THREE newly named news directors, all of whom have been NDs before.
30. That’s the number of open ND jobs on our list. THREE of those jobs are advertised below, among our FIVE paid help wanted ads.
Speaking of ads, we welcome The Carole Kneeland Project and Stringr! back as advertisers.
TWO men who served as news directors and anchors in their careers have passed this month. Both had interesting other carers outside of our business. We have their obituaries below.
In Names in the News…a fun look from KABC-TV on its 70th anniversary. And a former ND surfaces as an Assistant ND in Pittsburgh.
All that…and much more…below.
Do you know of someone who deserves the gift of Kneeland?
(Hint: it might be you.)
The Kneeland Project is accepting applications now for their March 4-7, 2020 session in Austin, Texas. Applications are due Friday January 10, 2020 and are available here.
Thanks to Kneeland’s generous funders, this opportunity is nearly free for selected news managers. The Kneeland Project pays for all tuition costs as well as hotel and several meals. Participants cover only their transportation and a few meals — Kneeland takes care of the rest.
In a recent survey of Kneeland Fellows, 100% reported they still regularly use lessons learned at Kneeland, believe that time spent at Kneeland improved their career and said they have recommended Kneeland to a friend or colleague.
The Kneeland Project is an intensive program unlike any other. It’s practical. It’s highly interactive. It produces long-lasting results.
Click here for more information and to apply. Only 20 journalists will be selected for this program. Start 2020 right and apply today!
Newly Named News Directors:
Ryan
KUSA-TV, Denver, CO…TIM RYAN returns to this Tegna owned ABC NBC affiliate as Director of Content. Tim tells me that he reports to the GM and the News Director (who I believe is MEGAN JURGEMEYER) reports to him. Tim leaves KVUE-TV in Austin, TX (another Tegna station) where he’s been ND since the summer of 2017. He spent 26 years, though in Denver, the last 17 as Assistant ND. He’s also worked in Wichita, Ft. Smith, and Columbia, MO. He replaces ERIC VALDEZ.
Walters
WDBJ-TV, Roanoke, VA…congratulations to ERIC WALTERS who’s been named news director for this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. Eric’s worked at Nexstar’s WBTW-TV in Myrtle Beach for more than 25 years, rising to news director in January, 2017. He was the Assistant ND before that. At WDBJ, he replaces DAVID HUGHES who’s off to be general manager for Gray’s WVIR-TV in Charlottesville, VA.
Howard
KDRV-TV, Medford, OR…JERRY HOWARD is the new news director for this Heartland Media owned ABC affiliate. He had been running the news department at News Press and Gazette’s cluster of stations in St. Joseph, MO. He’s worked in Omaha, Merrillville, IN, Great Falls, MT, Kansas City, Little Rock, and Topeka. Jerry replaces ASHLEY HALL. We told you earlier this summer that Ashley would leave this month to move to Florida, where she’s taken a job as an EP for WJAX-TV in Jacksonville. She spent 15 years here, the last four as ND.
New News Director Openings:
Chapuis
KGTV, San Diego, CA…it’s all good news here as ND ED CHAPUIS gets his first GM job at KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, CA. It’s a promotion within Scripps for Ed, who’s been ND here for just over two years. Ed’s been an ND in FOUR California stations (San Diego, San Francisco/Oakland, and two different stations in Sacramento.) He’s been an ND in Las Vegas, too, and began his career in his hometown of Chicago. At KSBY, he replaces another former ND turned GM, KATHLEEN CHOAL, who was promoted to be GM for Scripps’ KSHB-TV in Kansas City.
KVUE-TV, Austin, TX…we told you above that TIM RYAN was returning to Denver as Director of Content for sister Tegna station KUSA-TV. He spent just over two years as ND here.
WBTW-TV, Myrtle Beach, SC…we also told you above that ERIC WALTERS was leaving this Nexstar owned CBS affiliate to become ND for Gray’s WDBJ-TV in Roanoke. He first joined the station 25 years ago as a photojournalist and became ND about three years ago.
And please look below where you will find THREE Paid Help Wanted ads for news director jobs in a wide variety of market sizes.
Paid Help Wanted Ads:
News Director, KCPQ-TV, Seattle, WA:
Here’s your chance to lead a news duopoly operation in one of the most beautiful cities in the country!
eattle, Washington’s Q13 FOX (KCPQ) and JOEtv (KZJO) are looking for a news director to manage our growing and thriving news operation. The ideal candidate will build on our culture of journalistic excellence presented through relatable, locally relevant multi-platform content.
Sports news and coverage plays a major role in our content as well. We are the official TV partner of the Seattle Seahawks, Sounders and Storm professional teams. Exclusive access and coverage will be an essential piece of how you can showcase your vision.
We produce more than 60 hours of weekly local content in addition to our live sports post games and programs. Our entire team of journalists are eager to keep moving forward. We need an experienced newsroom leader to lead the charge.
Learn more and apply for this unique opportunity by clicking here.
News Director, WTAJ-TV, Altoona, PA:
WTAJ-TV has an immediate opening for a dynamic News Director with the talent and energy to lead our hard-working news team.
This is a strong news market that includes Penn State University. Applicants must have at least three years of news management experience and a proven track record of running a winning day-to-day news operation in a competitive market.
We want someone with great news judgment, superior communication skills, high expectations, innovative concepts for our multiple platforms, and a desire to always surpass the competition.
Most importantly, the right candidate will be a creative thinker who can draw an audience with new ideas.
To apply CLICK HERE.
News Director, WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN:
Join Nexstar Nation in Market #25-Indianapolis as News Director leading our two stations there to success.
Lead WXIN and WTTV in this unique opportunity. Run a duopoly with two separate and unique news teams and brands for our FOX and CBS stations. You will be home to the wealth of programming that comes with that rare combination.
Plus, Indianapolis is a great city (just ask Rick Gevers), with the state capital, a vibrant downtown, professional and college sports, and it’s the motor racing capital of the world.
Need more? How about extensive recreational opportunities and a low cost of living? Yes, we have that, too. What could be better?
Here’s what you’ll do: Manage all aspects of the News Department
* Plans and manages staffing, training, and performance evaluations for the News Department.
* Makes decisions regarding hiring, evaluation, promotion and termination of employees.
* Develops news coverage strategy for the station and its website. This will include major sports coverage and team partnerships at the local and national levels, and coverage of events airing on each network as well as locally originated coverage
* Critiques newscasts daily to correct errors, improve coverage and provide mentoring feedback to news staff.
* Assigns projects to staff and verifies that deadlines are being met.
* Ensures achievement of viewer rating goals.
* Determines programming and evaluation of equipment needs to produce quality programming.
* Responds to coverage questions.
* Works with other senior station leaders to establish and reach station goals.
* Performs other duties as assigned.
Executive Producer, WCAU-TV, Philadelphia:
WCAU in Philadelphia is seeking a dynamic leader who can motivate a skilled team of reporters, producers and photographers.
Duties:
Leads reporters, producers and photojournalists.
Collaborates with all divisions of NBC News for special events planning as well as day-to-day coverage.
Works closely with Creative Services to craft promotions that attract a wide audience.
Must embrace a fast-paced, highly-graphic, visual storytelling process.
Ability to multitask and work with changing priorities.
Impeccable communications abilities with both internal and external constituents.
Basic Qualifications:
Demonstrated experience leading writers, producers and show creation.
Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism or equivalent experience.
Demonstrated Leadership and Management
Strong editorial judgment as well as the ability to respond and make decisions in a breaking news situation for coverage across multiple platforms.
Experience in script approval, with strong editorial judgment.
Proven team player.
Click here to apply for this role.
NBCUniversal’s policy is to provide equal employment opportunities to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, gender identity or expression, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, pregnancy, veteran status, membership in the uniformed services, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law. NBCUniversal will consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories in a manner consistent with relevant legal requirements, including the City of Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative For Hiring Ordinance, where applicable.”
Assistant News Director, KUSI-TV, San Diego:
KUSI-TV a leading Independent News Station in the Country and San Diego’s Local Leader is looking for a dynamic Assistant News Director.
This position will provide leadership and will execute objectives for KUSI News in San Diego, the eighth largest city in the country. This position plays a leading role in all editorial meetings, lead producer rundown meetings, assisting in the management of the stations’ news operations, establishing goals and directing the staff that produces 9 1/2 hours of local news daily.
This position will be responsible for managing content delivery for all broadcasts, scheduling of all newsroom personnel, and direct content generation to web and mobile platforms.
Position works closely with senior management to establish news content and review daily newscasts to ensure quality control and brand compliancy, subsequently provide feedback to all news staff, especially Producer staff. Will provide the focus for the content to their reporting team, train them to authenticate information through proper research and provide training about how to write or produce material that will be compelling and appropriate for their intended audience. They oversee the distribution of this content through the platforms they work with, and they help ensure that their team meets production deadlines.
Assist with recruiting and hiring for news department personnel. Collaborate with other managers to develop marketing plans, establish ratings goals, and effectively reach said goals.
Please apply for the position by clicking here.
Other News Management Openings:
ASSISTANT NEWS DIRECTOR:
WDVM-TV, Hagerstown, MD (listed 11/3/19)
KUSI-TV, San Diego, CA (relisted 12/8/19, see ad above!)
WACH-TV, Columbia SC (listed 11/10/19)
WJAC-TV, Johnstown, PA (relisted 11/17/19)
WTXL-TV, Tallahassee, FL (relisted 12/8/19)
KRCG-TV, Jefferson City, MO (relisted 11/24/19)
KTIV-TV, Sioux City, IA (listed 11/17/19)
KNPN/KNPG/KCJO-TV, St. Joseph, MO (new listing this week)
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER:
KTLA-TV, Los Angeles, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WCAU-TV, Philadelphia, PA (listed 12/8/19, see ad above!)
KRON-TV, San Francisco, CA (new listing this week)
WWSB-TV, Sarasota, FL (listed 11/10/19)
Rocky Mountain PBS, Denver, CO (listed 11/24/19)
WTTV/WXIN-TV, Indianapolis, IN (listed 10/20/19)
WNCN-TV, Raleigh, NC (listed 11/17/19)
KFMB-TV, San Diego, CA (AM EP, relisted 12/1/19)
KSWB-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/20/19)
WVIT-TV, Hartford, CT (Dayside EP, relisted 12/1/19)
WTNH-TV, New Haven, CT (2 openings, EP and Digital EP revised 11/17/19)
WBNS-TV, Columbus, OH (Senior EP, relisted 9/8/19)
WISN-TV, Milwaukee, WI (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WPBF-TV, West Palm Beach, FL (AM EP, listed 10/13/19)
KVVU-TV, Las Vegas, NV (new listing this week)
WBRC-TV, Birmingham, AL (relisted 10/13/19)
WAVY-TV, Norfolk, VA (AM EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WHTM-TV, Harrisburg, PA (Digital EP, relisted 11/10/19)
WDTN-TV, Dayton, OH (relisted this week)
WNEM-TV, Saginaw, MI (PM EP, listing revised this week)
WHNT-TV, Huntsville, AL (listed 11/10/19)
KXXV-TV, Waco, TX (listed 11/3/19)
WJTV, Jackson, MS (listing revised 12/8/19)
WNCT-TV, Greenville, NC (listed 12/8/19)
KNWA-TV, Fayetteville, AR (listed 10/27/19)
WFXG-TV, Augusta, GA (relisted 10/20/19)
KERO-TV, Bakersfield, CA (listed 10/13/19)
WVNS-TV, Beckley, WV (relisted 11/17/19)
KTVQ-TV, Billings, MT (listed 12/8/19)
MANAGING EDITOR:
KOIN-TV, Portland, OR (listed 12/1/19)
KNSD-TV, San Diego, CA (listed 10/13/19)
More News Management Openings:
Listed 11/17/19:
WCPO-TV, Cincinnati, OH (Content Manager)
Obituaries:
McCabe
KEVIN McCABE, a longtime cable newsman who served as both anchor and news director for News 12 The Bronx, died December 2nd at the age of 69. What at interesting life! He attended the John Marshall Law School, became a professional musician, and then transitioned to news, working for Satellite News Channel and then two Cablevision operations. Details on arrangements and more in this obituary.
Another former news director and anchor, DWIGHT DYER, died December 5th at the age of 88, He suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. Dwight began his journalism career with the Associated Press before becoming ND and anchor for the NBC affiliate in Reno, NV. He later became a staffer for several U.S. Senators. At his request, there will not be a memorial service.
Names in the News (and other items):
McKinney
TRACIE McKINNEY is now the Assistant ND for Cox’s WPXI-TV in Pittsburgh. She most recently spent less than a year as ND for KTNV-TV in Las Vegas, and has been an Assistant ND in Detroit, Tampa, and Norfolk. She also worked as an EP for two St. Louis stations, and began her career as a reporter for stations in Virginia and West Virginia. And she’s the subject of this profile in New Pittsburgh Courier.
KGO-TV in San Francisco is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and produced a fun look back at the news operations in the 70s, including clips of a promo where the anchors rode horses. Check it out here.
KARE-TV in Minneapolis. KARE-TV in Minneapolis. WSOC-TV in Charlotte. WKBW-TV in Buffalo. Those are the local stations to win Columbia DuPont Awards this week. And there’s a reason why we listed KARE twice as you’ll learn when you read the entire list of winners.
General Manager News and Notes:
For those with short memories, we told you above that ED CHAPUIS is being promoted to GM for KSBY-TV in San Luis Obispo, CA.
Our Full List of Open ND Jobs:
Here’s our list of open ND jobs as of Sunday, December 15, 2019:
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
WFMZ-TV 300 E Rock Rd, Allentown, PA 18103
WUVG-TV 3350 Peachtree Road #1250, Atlanta, GA 30326 **
KCPQ-TV 1813 Westlake Ave. N. Seattle, WA 98109 (see ad above!)
WFTV 490 E. South St., Orlando, FL 32801
KUVS-TV 1710 Arden Way, Sacramento CA 95815 **
WTTV/WXIN-TV 6910 Network Place Indianapolis, IN 46278 (see ad above!)
WBFF-TV 2000 W 41st St, Baltimore, MD 21211
KGTV 4600 Air Way, San Diego, CA, 92102
KVUE-TV 3201 Steck Avenue, Austin, TX 78757
WVEC-TV 613 Woodis Ave Norfolk, VA 23510
KJRH-TV 3701 S. Peoria Tulsa, OK 74105
KTHV-TV 720 S Izard St, Little Rock, AR 72201
WISC-TV 7025 Raymond Road Madison, WI 53719
KGAN-TV 600 Old Marion Rd NE Cedar Rapids, IA 52402
WBTW-TV 101 McDonald Court Myrtle Beach, SC 29588
WTAJ-TV 5000 6th Ave # 1, Altoona, PA 16602 (see ad above!)
KLKN-TV 3240 S 10th St, Lincoln, NE 68502
KYTX-TV 2211 E SE Loop 323, Tyler, TX 75701
WLTZ-TV 6140 Buena Vista Rd. Columbus, GA 31907
KRIS-TV 301 Artesian Street Corpus Christi, TX 78401
KRCR-TV 755 Auditorium Dr. Redding, CA 96001
KTVE/KARD-TV 200 Pavilion Road West Monroe, LA 71292
KSWO/KAUZ-TV 1401 SE 60th St, Lawton, OK 73501
WBNG-TV 560 Columbia Dr. Johnson City, NY 13790
WCAV-TV 999 2nd St SE, Charlottesville, VA 22902
WTVY-TV 285 N Foster St # 7, Dothan, AL 36303
KULR-TV 2045 Overland Ave. Billings, MT 59102
Delta News 837 Washington Av. Greenville, MS 38701
KAEF-TV 540 E St Eureka, California 95501
KIDY/KXVA-TV 5 S. Chadbourne Street San Angelo, TX 76903
**: Spanish language station
Sinclair Broadcasting will discontinue its ‘must-run’ political commentaries done by BORIS EPSHTEYN and AMESHIA CROSS. According to 
And THREE local stations won FOUR Alfred I. duPont-Columbia University Awards today.
WABI-TV, Bangor, ME…lots of changes at this Gray Television owned CBS affiliate. JIM MORRIS who’s been ND and anchor since 2000 is retiring. JON SMALL will replace him as ND, and CATHERINE PEGRAM will replace him as the Assistant ND. Both Jon and Catherine will continue their anchor roles. The full story, with more background on Morris’ career, 
