Texas TV news and radio job moves February 2021

Send tips for the monthly Texas media job list.

- Best TV News Bloopers February 2021
- KHOU 11 dominates 10pm February 2021 TV sweeps

DALLAS - FORT WORTH

WFAA wins duPont-Columbia Award, broadcast equivalent of Pulitzer Prize, for reporting on climate change.

Nexstar Broadcasting President Timothy Busch to Retire.

Ron Corning of CW33 KDAF's Morning After interviews Tammy Dombeck about her CBS federal age discrimination lawsuit concerning her time at CBS 11 DFW KTVT.

CBS 11 KTVT Photojournalist Sal Rios Shares Personal Struggle With COVID-19.

Mark 'Hawkeye' Louis Inducted Into Country Radio Hall Of Fame.

Rachel Ryan joins middays for New Country KSCS 96.3 FM in Dallas, TX.

WFAA 8 Health & Wellness Reporter Sonia Azad celebrates five years with the station.

Entercom Promotes Vince Richards And JT Springer In Dallas.

Joel Burke Exits PD Post At KCBI (90.9)/Dallas.

WFAA 8 Daybreak says goodbye to senior producer Tiffany Johnson who is moving to the TEGNA station's 5pm newscast.

Hannah Davis to co-host WFAA's 'Good Morning Texas'; Alanna Sarabia Leaving
David Goins leaves WFAA
Katelyn Maida fills Kevin Kline seat on The New 93Q from New Country 96.3 KSCS

HOUSTON

Former CW39 KIAH Station Manager, Harvey Saxer, joins KMBC/KCWE Hearst Kansas City, Missouri as Director of Sales.

Operations manager Bernard Francis takes Disney buyout from abc13 KTRK and retires.

Susan Carroll, senior editor for investigations at the Houston Chronicle, joins ProPublica as a senior editor for its Local Reporting Network.

Houston Chronicle business of health care investigative reporter, Jenny Deam, joins ProPublica as Washington, D.C. based health care reporter.

David Baes, known on air as David Bradley, took the helm as general manager of KPFT 90.1 FM.

The KSBJ Morning Show celebrates our 5 year anniversary.

SportsRadio 610 KILT-AM only Houston sports station cited in national poll.

The E.W. Scripps takeover of Ion Media has led to a big shakeup of subchannels on KPXB channel 49 and all other Ion stations across the country.

KHOU 11 news director Nick Burch has left the station.

Tom Koch retiring from abc13 KTRK
Yes, Justin Stapleton and Brandi Smith are a couple
Brhe Berry is pregnant with baby #2
Elita Loresca returns
Chelsey Hernandez is married
Dominique Sachse's Valentine's Day video
Texas TV anchor love stories
Lauren Leal filling-in on CW39
Changes coming to 90.9 KTSU mornings
Did KPRC reporter meltdown on live TV?
ATSC 3.0 TV in Houston and DFW
Courtney Fischer recovering from COVID-19
Rekha Muddaraj gives birth to baby #3
Deven Clarke joins KPRC 2
Phil Archer to retire from KPRC 2 after 44 years
Houston TV anniversaries decades in the making!
Mattress Mack on Ellen DeGeneres Show
Dominique Sachse talks Houston freeze

SAN ANTONIO

Y100 San Antonio Sets New On-Air Lineup.

Randy Beamer announces retirement from News 4 San Antonio WOAI
Audrey Castoreno gives birth to baby

AUSTIN

KLBJ-FM Moves Dudley & Bob with Matt Back To Mornings.

Deb O’Keefe Departs Mornings At 101X Austin.

Marin Austin joins FOX 7 KTBC

AROUND TEXAS

Iris Rodriguez Named KTLM News Director.

KTXS (Abilene, Texas) News Director Jamie Burch joins KXXV 25 Waco, Temple, Killeen.

Charlie Hodges wrapped up his broadcast career by anchoring the morning shift of newscasts on the Texas State Network.

KGNC/Amarillo Adds Kelsey Schuler As MD/Content Director/Night Host.

KTEX/McAllen Midday Host Amanda Mey Goes On ‘Permanent Maternity Leave.’

Weekend sports anchor/reporter Claudia Faust leaves NewsChannel 10 KFDA Amarillo, TX to join Sports360AZ Arizona.

Hits 101.3 Brings Oldies To Waco.

KIII wins big in Corpus Christi Best of the Best awards

REMEMBERING

97.1 The Eagle KEGL radio host Russ Martin was found dead in his home early Saturday morning, according to Frisco police.

Trey Serna leaves CW39 KIAH

CW39 KIAH Morning Dose Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna leaves

CW39 KIAH Anchor/Senior Producer Trey Serna lets us know he is no longer with Morning Dose:

"Some professional/personal news to share: I am no longer with Morning Dose.

I am incredibly thankful for the unique opportunity I had on this show. It was unlike anything else I have ever done. Working on a three-hour morning show with some talented writers, producers and directors was exciting and rewarding.

I was also able to bring stories to viewers that truly meant something to me.

To top it all off, I got to co-anchor alongside some hilariously fun people who made going into work in the middle of the night a tad more tolerable. 🤪

So what’s next? Rest, reflect and recharge! I’m looking forward to some time for myself, my husband and my boys.

[insert inspirational quote here] ✌🏼😆"

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Serna re-joined CW39 in December 2018 for the new local version of Morning Dose.

He previously worked for the station as a 39News and NewsFix supervising producer, joining right before the anchor-less show's launch in 2010.

He worked for the then Tribune owned station until 2015 when he worked in a communications role for the Sheldon and Fort Bend school districts.

Serna got his broadcast TV news start at KRGV Weslaco in 2008.

Nexstar Media Group completed its acquisition of Tribune Media Company near the end of 2019.

Since then, we have seen longtime employees such has Station Manager and Director of Sales Harvey Saxer and news director Steve Simon have their job titles eliminated in the last few months.

In May, Chris Pruitt was named the Vice President and General Manager for KIAH CW 39.

New openings on the Nexstar TV jobs database include Executive Producer and Manager, News Operations.



(Thanks Candi)

Steve Simon exits CW39 KIAH

CW39 KIAH news director Steve Simon's job position eliminated as Nexstar Media Group makes changes to newly acquired Tribune stations


Steve Simon has been a fixture on the Houston TV scene off and on since 2000, but his news director position he returned to KIAH CW39 for in 2018, has been eliminated as the Nexstar Media Group begins making changes across the country after its recent purchase of the Tribune Stations.

"From 39News to Newsfix (Houston and DFW) and Morning Dose ( Houston) - it’s been a great experience with many people who will always be lifelong friends," Simon posted on social media. "Nearly 20 years with one company is almost unheard of anymore. Tribune Media evolved and I rode along with it. It’s now time for a new ride."

The newly created position to lead the channel 39 newsroom is now posted as Manager, News Operations.

In May, we also saw longtime Station Manager and Director of Sales, Harvey Saxer, leave KIAH as Nexstar brought in the new Vice President and General Manager, Chris Pruitt, from sister-station FOX 44 KWKT-KYLE in Waco, Temple, Killeen and Bryan-College Station.

Simon started with KIAH back in 2000 as an anchor/reporter when the station still had the call letters KHWB.

He eventually provided commentary with the award-winning segment "Simon Says."

Around the time the station was premiering NewsFix, the anchor-less news format, Simon became executive producer.

In 2013, Simon moved to Dallas to launch NewsFix on sister-station CW33 KDAF.

As I mentioned, he moved back to Houston in 2018 to become KIAH's news director to oversee Morning Dose.

Before his 2000 arrival in Houston, Simon worked at WSVN Miami, WHNT Huntsville, Alabama, WCMH Columbus, Ohio and WFXL Albany, Georgia.

He is a University of Texas grad and earned a masters in journalism from the Medill School of Journalism at Northwestern University.

"Don’t feel sorry for me," Simon said in his post. "This means I am doing something I haven’t done since I got my first job as a bag boy at Publix when I was 14—-breathe! I’ll take a minute to figure out what’s next, hug my kids and support my wife at a time when she could really use it."

Chris Pruitt named VP and GM of CW39 KIAH

Nexstar Broadcasting Promotes Chris Pruitt to Vice President and General Manager of its Houston, Texas Broadcast and Digital Operations - Veteran Broadcasting Executive and Texas Native with 25 Years of Management, Sales, and Marketing Experience to Lead KIAH-TV and cw39.com

KIAH CW39 Station Manager and Director of Sales, Harvey Saxer, has left the station.

UPDATE FEBRUARY 2024
Chris Pruitt leaves CW39 Houston as General Manager  

This afternoon, Nexstar announced Chris Pruitt will become Vice President and General Manager for channel 39.

Pruitt arrives from Nexstar station FOX 44 KWKT-KYLE in Waco, Temple, Killeen and Bryan-College Station.

Saxer was KIAH station manager since 2017. In addition to the station manager role he also served as general sales manager - a position he held since 2004.

Prior to 39, Saxer worked as director of sales for FOX 26 KRIV and My20 KTXH. He worked his way up through those stations, starting at channel 20 as account executive in 1995.

UPDATE
Mike Lee promoted to VP-GM of KWKT & KYLE Waco/Temple/Bryan

Here is the official release announcing Pruitt's promotion from Central Texas to Houston TV.

HOUSTON, TX and IRVING, TX—Nexstar Broadcasting, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Nexstar Media Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: NXST), announced today that it has promoted Chris Pruitt to Vice President and General Manager of its broadcast and digital operations in Houston, TX (DMA #8), overseeing KIAH-TV and cw39.com. Mr. Pruitt will assume his new responsibilities immediately and report to Brian Jones, Chief Operating Officer for Nexstar Broadcasting.

A native of Wichita Falls, TX, Mr. Pruitt brings 25 years of executive broadcast television management, sales and marketing experience to his new role at Nexstar, serving since 2015 as Vice President and General Manager of KWKT-TV (FOX), KYLE-TV (MyNetworkTV) and their associated digital and mobile operations, including Estrella TV and fox44news.com, serving the Waco, Temple and Bryan, TX market DMA (#82). Over the course of his career, Mr. Pruitt has demonstrated his ability to improve ratings, revenue, and profitability by expanding local news content, identifying new revenue streams, and developing a variety of innovative cross-platform solutions for advertisers and marketers, while continuing to expand and deepen relationships with the community.

During his tenure managing Nexstar’s operations in Waco, Temple and Bryan, TX, Mr. Pruitt and his team created and developed KWKT-TV’s first-ever local newscasts, launching a half-hour of local news at 5:30 p.m. and an hour at 9 p.m. in 2017. The early newscast has since expanded to a full 90-minutes.

Mr. Pruitt was also instrumental in overseeing KWKT-TV’s launch of “Loving Living Local Central Texas,” a lifestyle show highlighting the unique people, places, and events that make living in Central Texas special. Since his arrival in 2015, KWKT-TV’s website, fox44News, has experienced consistent growth, with unique visitors up 700 percent and page views up more than 600 percent, enabling Mr. Pruitt and his sales team to meet or exceed core digital sales goals every year.

Finally, Mr. Pruitt has overseen KWKT-TV’s development of numerous community partnerships and the station is the primary sponsor of Waco’s annual Alzheimer’s Walk, breaking fundraising records for the event each of the last two years.

Prior to overseeing KWKT-TV and KYLE-TV, Mr. Pruitt held a series of broadcasting management and sales positions of increasing importance, serving as Vice President and General Manager of KMVT-TV (CBS/CW) and KSVT-TV (FOX) in Twin Falls, ID from 2010 to 2015. While there, he successfully directed the realignment of the stations, and improved recruitment and training, resulting in significant increases in market share and profitability.

Mr. Pruitt has developed a deep understanding of Texas during his broadcast career, having held executive or sales leadership roles at several television stations in communities across the state, including Beaumont, Midland and his hometown of Wichita Falls.

“Chris is the perfect choice to assume leadership of Nexstar’s broadcast and digital operations in Houston,” said Mr. Jones. “Throughout his career, he has been successful by expanding local news and content, delivering digital growth, and creating and executing unparalleled local multi-platform solutions for advertising and marketing clients. He is an innovative leader and has forged meaningful connections to the Texas communities in which he has worked. Chris has a long record of success, and I am very much looking forward to working with him as he assumes his new role with Nexstar in Houston.”

Commenting on his promotion, Mr. Pruitt stated, “I am excited about joining the talented team at KIAH-TV and cw39.com and I am grateful to Nexstar for giving me this opportunity. Houston is a vibrant city with a rich history, and KIAH-TV is woven into the fabric of the community. As a native of Texas, I understand the importance of connecting to viewers and advertisers with the kind of local content that is both relevant and meaningful. There is a lot of opportunity ahead and I can’t wait to get started.”

Mr. Pruitt has been involved in the media industry throughout his career and currently serves on the FOX Network Sales Advisory Committee. He has also been committed to each of the individual communities in which he has lived and worked, serving most recently on the marketing committee of the Waco Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association, and volunteering his time with Caritas of Waco, combating hunger and poverty.

Mr. Pruitt earned his Bachelors’ degree in Finance from Midwestern State University, located in his hometown of Wichita Falls, Texas. He and his wife, Joy, have three grown children. Mr. Pruitt and his wife will be immediately relocating to the Houston area.

About Nexstar Media Group, Inc.

Nexstar Media Group is a leading diversified media company that leverages localism to bring new services and value to consumers and advertisers through its traditional media, digital and mobile media platforms. Nexstar owns, operates, programs or provides sales and other services to 196 television stations and related digital multicast signals reaching 114 markets or approximately 38% of all U.S. television households (reflecting the FCC’s UHF discount). Nexstar’s portfolio includes primary affiliates of NBC, CBS, ABC, FOX, MyNetworkTV and The CW. Nexstar’s community portal websites offer additional hyper-local content and verticals for consumers and advertisers, allowing audiences to choose where, when and how they access content while creating new revenue opportunities. Nexstar also owns WGN America, a growing national general entertainment cable network and a 31.3% ownership stake in TV Food Network, a top tier cable asset. For more information please visit www.nexstar.tv.

KPRC 2, KHOU 11, FOX26, CW39 join forces for COVID-19 PSA

Channels 2, 11, 26 and 39 come together to show Houston TV solidarity during coronavirus pandemic


April 9, 2020 – HOUSTON – A group of four Houston broadcast media outlets have joined forces for a one-of-a-kind effort encouraging Houstonians to work together to fight the spread of COVID-19 in our communities.

In a gesture of community solidarity, television stations KPRC 2, FOX 26, KHOU 11, and CW39 Houston collaborated on “In This Together,” a public service campaign addressing the act of social distancing in the battle against COVID-19.

“We’re all fighting the same fight alongside our fellow Houstonians,” says Jerry Martin, KPRC 2 VP/General Manager. “This unique effort gives a clear, unified message to our community, “We’re in This Together.”

RELATED
FOX 26, KPRC 2 and KHOU 11 donate airtime to Houston churches for Easter

The locally produced public service announcements, aimed at delivering a positive note of encouragement to our friends and neighbors, will begin airing later this week across Houston airwaves.

“CW39 Houston is very proud to join arms with our Houston broadcast brethren to promote this timely effort and come together as one to combat our current challenges,” says Harvey Saxer, CW39 Houston station manager.

The three :30 PSAs feature a who’s-who of familiar Houston news anchors, including KPRC 2’s Owen Conflenti, Taniya Wright, Dominique Sachse and Kris Gutierrez; KHOU 11’s Jason Bristol, Mia Gradney, Len Cannon, Ron Trevino and David Paul; FOX 26’s Kaitlin Monte, José Griñan, Melissa Wilson and Jonathan Martin; and CW39 Houston’s Sharron Melton, Shannon LaNier, and Maria Sotolongo.

“This collaboration is so much more than just a promotional campaign; it’s about Texans coming together to help Texans. We are a vital public service and recognize that this crisis requires the unprecedented effort to maintain staff safety, while keeping viewers informed. Putting aside our competitive nature for the greater good is what Texans do.” says D’Artagnan Bebel, SVP/General Manager Fox 26 & My 20.

“Houston has a dedicated journalism community. For everyone who is tuning in, regardless of what channel you choose, we want you to know that we’re all working together and committed to delivering all critical information about COVID-19 while at the same time sharing the stories of hope and inspiration from our fellow Texans,” says Robert Springer, KHOU 11, President and General Manager.

You can watch “In This Together,” public service campaign here.



(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KPRC)

CW39 to carry Live Town Hall with Governor Greg Abbott

KIAH-TV is pleased to present live coverage of a Town Hall meeting with Governor Greg Abbott on Thursday, August 15 th from 7:00pm – 8:00pm on CW39 Houston.

This live event will take place in Tyler, Texas.

Governor Abbott will answer questions from a broad spectrum of topics including: Immigration and Border Security, Property Taxes, Gun Laws and Public Safety.

“We’re pleased to bring this live event to the Houston area,” said Harvey Saxer, KIAH Station Manager. “The topics scheduled to be discussed are of great importance to all of us in our community and we believe hearing directly from the Governor on these issues has significant value.”

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by CW39)

Media Alliance of Houston 2019 Star Awards Gala winners

The Media Alliance of Houston held its 2019 Star Awards Gala last week at The Houstonian.

Before we get to the winners, Judy Lakin from Cox Media Group Houston was the Silver Star honoree of the night.

Congrats to all the winners who are bolded.

Digital Sales Professional (OOH, Print, Radio, & TV Exclusive)

Angela Wilson, iHeart Radio

Kevin Epps, Cox Media Group

Marilyn Acosta, KTRK

Digital Sales Professional (Digital Exclusive)

Christine Gensch, Goodway Group

Cynthia Velarde, Pandora

Stacy Hooper, Centro

 Digital Sales Manager (All Media)

Erin Hoffman, KPRC

Lindsay Aiello, KHOU

Tammy Guest, KTRK

Out of Home or Print Account Executive

Courtney Cook, Clear Channel Outdoor

Karen Hernandez-Lix, Outfront Media

Stevi Maytubby, Houstonia Magazine

Out of Home or Print Media Manager or VP

Chris O'Donnell, Outfront Media

Cindy Johnson, Houston Chronicle

Stevi Maytubby, Houstonia Magazine

Sports Team Professional

Jay Adelberg, Houston Dynamo/Houston Dash

Jay Miller, Sugar Land Skeeters

Lacey Berlau, Houston Texans

On-Air TV Personality

Julia Morales, AT&T Sportsnet

Mia Gradney, KHOU

Owen Conflenti, KPRC

Tom Koch, KTRK

Local TV Account Executive

Amparo Carrera, Houston Public Media

Celina Bautovich, KHOU

Glenda Carmon, KTRK

John Rizzuti, KPRC

TV Sales Manager or Director of Sales

Miles Cathey, KHOU

Millie Adan Garza, Houston Public Media

Shannon Murphy, KPRC

TV News Director

Dave Strickland, KPRC

Sally Ramirez, KHOU

Wendy Granato, KTRK

TV Market Manager or VP

Harvey Saxer, KIAH

Jerry Martin, KPRC

Tony Canales, Telemundo

               

Radio Producer or News Director

David Fehling, Houston Public Media

Kenny Webster, iHeart Radio

Kevin Quinn, Cumulus

Radio On-Air Personality

Michael Berry, iHeart Radio

Roula Christie, Cumulus

Sarah Pepper, Entercom

Local Radio Account Executive

Laura Filippone, Cox Media

Leslie Poroo, iHeart Radio

Vikki Caston, Entercom

Radio Sales Manager or Director of Sales

Bob Mackay, Entercom

Joe Cesaratto, iHeart Media

Judy Lakin, Cox Media

Radio Program Director or Operations Director

Elliot Wood, iHeart Radio

Johnny Chiang, Cox Media

Josh Adams, Houston Public Media

Radio Market Manager or VP

Alex Cadelago, Cumulus

Eddie Martiny, iHeart Radio

Lisa Shumate, Houston Public Media

Pamela McKay, Radio One

National Sales Manager

Gwen Anderson, KTRK

Kari Bivins, KHOU

Rod Windham, iHeart Radio

Marketing or Promotions Director

JC Perez, Telemundo

Lauren Graff, Outfront Media

Melissa Brezner, iHeart Radio

Local Media Sales Assistant or Traffic Assistant

Joann Perez, Entercom

Laura Reid, KHOU

Lupe Castro, Cox Media

Sofia Tucker, iHeart Radio

Local Community Affairs Director

Alexandria Williams, KHOU

Cynthia Cisneros, KTRK

Freddy Cruz, Cumulus

Lee Vela, Clear Channel Outdoor

Research Director  

         

Erik Langhans, KHOU

Hope Dubois, iHeart Radio

Mitzi Fleissner, Telemundo

Local Agency Support Staff

Ally Thonsgaard, Richards/Carlberg

Charity Cain, Love Advertising

Christie Ko, Brivic Media

Local Agency Account Service/Brand Management

Christy Saxer, Briggs and Caldwell

Kevin King, Love Advertising

Kristine Alardin, Freed Advertising

Local Agency Buyer

Athena Anzaldua, Briggs and Caldwell

Lisa Cragoe, Love Advertising

Sandra Williams, 9th Wonder

Thomas Goggins, Strike Marketing

Local Agency Planner

Ashlee Rohm, Richards/Carlberg

Erlyns Portillo, Love Advertising

Kristina Early, Briggs and Caldwell

Local Agency Digital Professional

Amanda Rossy, Richards/Carlberg

Kelley Robinson, Brivic Media

Sheryl Grigsby, Briggs and Caldwell

Local Agency Media Director or Associate Media Director

Alex Soto, Love Advertising

Marlena Majoie, MMI

Stephanie Weaver McKee, Richards/Carlberg

Agency Principal

Cindy Marion, MMI

Joe Pogge/Shari Okin/Thomas Goggins, Strike Marketing

Kellie Briggs, Briggs & Caldwell

Tina Boaz Murray, Mind Dance Marketing

Agency of the Year (Small) 

Briggs & Caldwell

Mind Dance Marketing

Strike Marketing 

You Squared Media

Agency of the Year (Large)

9th Wonder

Freed Advertising

Love Advertising

MMI Agency

MAH Rising Star

Angela Urrutia, Richards/Carlberg

Courtney Dupas, KHOU

Jordan Hess, KPRC

Kandis Lakin, Outfront Media

Market Rock Star

Celina Bautovich, KHOU

Judy Lakin, Cox Media

Karen Erwin, Outfront Media

Sandy Colwell, KTRK

CW39 KIAH to air Houston Cougars Football season opener

UH football opener to air on CW39 KIAH Saturday, September 2nd

KIAH-TV is pleased to present live coverage of the University of Houston Cougars vs. the University of Texas at San Antonio Roadrunners college football game, Saturday, September 2nd at 6:00pm on CW39.

The game will be played at the Alamodome in San Antonio.

“We understand the excitement for U of H football in the city of Houston,” said Harvey Saxer, of KIAH-TV. “The Cougars are coming off a great season, they’ve got a new head coach, and there’s a lot of optimism for what lies ahead. We’re thrilled to be the exclusive television home for the season opener. We know that it will be an exciting time for all those associated with the University of Houston and everyone else in the Houston area that loves college football.”

(This post was taken from a release sent to me by KIAH)

AWRT Houston 2010 Gala and Star Awards

The Houston Chapter of American Women in Radio and Television awarded its Star Awards and here are the winners:

On Air Television Personality
Deborah Duncan KHOU

On Air Radio Personality
Roula Christie KRBE

Marketing or Promotions Director
Pam Kehoe CBS RADIO

Local Buyer
Chris Caldwell Briggs & Caldwell

Local Agency Support Staff
Charity Cain Love Advertising

Local Radio Account Executive
Carla Harrington CBS Radio

Local Radio Assistant Sales or Traffic
Lisa Keys KILT

Local Television Account Executive
Glenda Carmon KTRK

Local Television Assistant Sales or Traffic
Josie Jimenez Univision

Non-Traditional or Internet Sales Manager Radio or Television
Gina Messick CBS Radio

Radio Sales Manager
Sherry Dollar CBS Radio

Local or National Television Sales Manager
Gwen Anderson KTRK

General Sales or Director of Sales TV Manager
Harvey Saxer KIAH

Market Manager or Station Manager for Radio
Mark Krieschen Cox Radio

Market Manager or Station Manager for Television
Susan McEldoon KHOU

Community Affairs Director
Yolanda Green KIAH

Agency of the Year
BrivicMedia

AWRT Rising Star
Keshia Dupas KPRC

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