Jerry Martin, the KPRC 2 Vice President & General Manager, has announced he is retiring in an internal memo obtained by mikemcguff.com:
UPDATE AUGUST 30, 2022
Phil Lane named KPRC 2 GM
"After long reflection during the pandemic and in 2022, I have decided to retire on September 2, 2022. You might think this is part of the great resignation, but it really isn’t. I will turn 65 in November and having lost a brother and a sister in law over the past two and a half years, I have come to realize not to take life or my family for granted. Speaking of family, my wife and I have been in a commuter marriage for the past eleven and a half years of a 37 year marriage and it is high time we get back together.
Most importantly, professionally, I really wanted to leave KPRC on a high note with strong teams in place on air and in management. I love KPRC and would never bow out if I didn’t believe we are in great shape. We have a strong experienced management team, a first class news team, a rising star local program in Houston Life, a popular new evening anchor team and for the past 3 months...Houston’s number one station (just take a look at last Friday’s overnight). I think that is leaving KPRC in a great position for the next leader to take over.
So...I would like to thank everyone for their efforts for the past eleven and a half years, you have made it a great ride."
In a memo obtained by mikemcguff.com from President & Chief Executive Officer for Graham Media Group, Catherine Badalamente, Martin is celebrated for his achievements while leading KPRC:
"After over 40 years of dedicated service in broadcasting, KPRC VP & General Manager, Jerry Martin, has set his sights on a well-deserved retirement. Jerry has been at the helm of KPRC for over eleven years, leading the station through an unprecedented time of both triumph and tragedy.
It is hard to summarize the many contributions that Jerry has made over the years to the broadcast industry, KPRC, Graham Media Group and the Houston community.
Jerry led his team through some of KPRC’s most difficult days including Hurricane Harvey and the Covid pandemic. He also enthusiastically celebrated the '713,' its first-class attractions, its booming growth and the incredible diversity of the community and its people.
Jerry understood the importance of his position and giving back. He dedicated much of his time, energy and passion to countless Houston organizations including the Houston Area Urban League, the Houston Ballet, and the Holocaust Museum Houston.
He helped architect and navigated the transition to a state-of-the-art broadcast station and studio, launched innovative programming, integrated digital operations into the day-to-day and achieved #1 status on all platforms.
A voracious consumer of information and media, Jerry has always been inspired by the changing trends in our industry. I am hopeful he will continue to email, text, and chat the many articles, videos, podcasts, and newsletters about everything from finance, digital and sales automation to Peloton’s best rides.
I am forever grateful to Jerry for his years of commitment to Graham Media and our industry. Jerry plans to stay with us until September. We will begin our search immediately for his replacement."
Martin joined KPRC in 2011 from Indiana's 4 WTTV and Fox 59 WXIN Indianapolis, Indiana where he worked from 2004 to 2011.
During his time with channel 2 Houston, Martin rebuilt the entire building to a modern broadcast facility. In 2019, the station earned three regional Murrow Awards and two National Headliner Awards for “Best Newscast” and “Coverage of Live Breaking News Event.”
An active member of the community, Martin chaired the Houston Area Urban League, served on the Board of Trustees for both the Holocaust Museum of Houston and the Houston Ballet and is a Texas Association of Broadcasters board member.
The University of Maine, Orono grad previously worked for:
- WB50 WBDC Washington, D.C. - vice president/general manager - 2000 to 2004
- FOX61 WTIC Hartford, Connecticut - vice president/general manager - 1997 to 2000
- FOX61 WTIC Hartford, Connecticut - general sales manager - 1993 to 1997
- WTXX New Haven, Connecticut - general sales manager - 1992 to 1993
- FOX40 KTXL Sacramento, California - national sales manager - 1987 to 1991
- Petry Television - account executive - 1984 to 1987
- WJAR 10 Providence, Rhode Island - account executive - 1980 to 1984
