Experience

WBTW News13

• Germany
• Business Consulting and Services
• 1 - 100 Employee

• News Director

  • Jun 2022 - Present

  Oversee and manage news TV and digital teams, that produce more than 50 hours of live news a week, and guide the most read digital site in the viewing area. Stay tuned-- we've got a lot of moving parts, planning and more to come on making a great news team, better. Oversee and manage news TV and digital teams, that produce more than 50 hours of live news a week, and guide the most read digital site in the viewing area. Stay tuned-- we've got a lot of moving parts, planning and more to come on making a great news team, better.



WHNT News 19

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• News Director

  • Mar 2019 - Jun 2022

  Oversee, lead and manage news digital and television news operations at the 2020 Alabama Broadcasters Assn. Station Of The Year, 2021 ABA award for Election Coverage. Work in lock-step with Creative Services Dept.. and Sales to find, create and use opportunities for compelling local content, the station can apply to the business model to best serve our community and advertising partners. Worked to keep the station staff healthy during COVID, by being informed early and taking precautions necessary with sacrificing the quality of the newscast. Leading the News team includes oversight of 3 person investigative team, which breaks local compelling stories used for targeted special reports. Work closely with 4 member weather team and 2 member sports staff, offering accurate and responsible weather and safety guidance for viewers. Oversee special projects, such as half hour locally produced specials on the community, anniversaries and more. Leading a station news team that is 1 or 2 in ratings in every time slot, number 1 in HH in all time slots. 2018 16 AP Alabama Awards for news and sports, 13 awards for 1st, including Best News Operation. 2019 station nominated for 4 MidSouth Emmys. Show less

• Assistant News Director

  • Jul 2017 - Feb 2019

  Manage and coordinate all aspects of newsroom operation with direct responsibility to staff scheduling, special projects and special events.Oversight of pre-planning for daily news coverage, news specials and special assignments and work closely with broadcast and digital executive producers and content manager to ensure aggressive, competitive and compelling newscasts.Assist with development and execution of overall editorial and promotional strategy to achieve ratings and digital goals.Drive editorial content development and quality control for the multiple platforms of WHNT News 19; "Chief Product Officer ; Management responsibilities include hiring, training and conducting performance evaluations.Participant in Oct. 2017 Poynter Institute Smart Conference at Vanderbilt Univ., on cyber security, NAFTA, ACA, global warming and covering hate. Reporter story telling and packaging has improved with guidance to make stories more visual, showcasing reporting tools, new drone video and interactive stand ups. Since arrival in July 2017, WHNT moved to number 1 in the ratings, is dayside shows where it had not previously done so. Lead recruiting and hiring of new MMJ reporters, Sports Director and Sports MMJ/Weekend anchor. • Participant in Oct. 2017 Poynter Institute Smart Conference at Vanderbilt Univ., on cyber security, NAFTA, ACA, global warming and covering hate. • 2017 First Place AP Alabama Outstanding News Operation Show less



CBS 46

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Managing Editor

  • Jul 2015 - Jul 2017

  Managed daily newsgathering efforts of reporters and photographers, working closely with show producers and Digital Desk to ensure news department was on top of breaking news and reported compelling stories that mattered to the community. Made sure resources are deployed on stories that best fit station strategies and makes certain those stories are presented in the most engaging ways. I worked closely with the Executive Producers, the Assignment Desk, and the Digital team to ensure our coverage is competitive and delivers on our unique brand promises whether broadcast or digital medium. I copy edited ad approved reporter scripts, ensuring balance, accuracy, and excellent story telling. I also worked with the desk and show teams to ensure live coverage for TV & social media, working within a budget, and managed reporter story changes and pivots to other news; I worked with & guided Digital Desk and social media platforms. Also set up and produced live guest news, political and sports segments, including taped guest segments. When CBS 46 had poor sources in the police department, I hired Mike Brooks as "Public Safety Consultant," who could give on and off air background to complicated police related stories. Mike was also instrumental of award-nominated coverage of the Black Lives March protests, adding insight from the police department's view and information no other station reported. I helped coach up several reporters on compelling story telling. I worked with Meteorologist Ella Dorsey, who had never filed or written packages previously. I worked closely with Adam Murphy's investigative stories, of which he was honored with several awards. I approved every Adam Murphy script. Directly managed Assignment Manager and Assignment Desk (staff of 5) and 14 reporters. I ran morning and afternoon editorial meetings with those teams. Show less



Piedmont Healthcare

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 400 - 500 Employee

• Manager, Public Relations

  • Mar 2015 - Jul 2015

  Oversee on-site hospital communications team at 4 of the 5 hospitals, working in coordination of corporate goals and strategy. In less than 3 months, I hired replacements for all 4 positions over. I managed and produced releases on news-worthy developments; worked with Piedmont Marketing team to promote various entities including Piedmont Transplant Institute, Piedmont Heart Institute and others. I was the main contact for media. I also approved any copy in releases sent out by my staff. I have mentored co-workers and produced and edited a daily Media Report, separately, for the Marketing Department and corporate executives. Show less



CNN

• United States
• Broadcast Media Production and Distribution
• 700 & Above Employee

• CNN National Content Ctr. Manager (aka CNN National Desk)

  • Sep 2012 - Oct 2014

  I supervised, led and managed editors for regions that cover the U.S. and Canada finding, developing breaking news, for television, digital and social media. i led breaking news coverage, including guidance for all platforms, assigning reporting team assignments including satellite trucks and other live technology. I delegated work breakdown and assignments for those in the field and on the desk, , using news judgment, story development and factoring in business costs.

• Senior Assignment Editor and Northeast Region Desk manager

  • Jan 2004 - Oct 2012

  CNN National Desk, Atlanta. I was also the frequent fill in as National Desk Director of Coverage; I managed editorial planning and coverage for all day-to-day and breaking news situations, including successful coverage of the Jerry Sandusky scandal, Newtown school shootings, and other major breaking stories. i had expanded responsibility which included Northeast Region & Southeast Region Desk Manager and Senior Assignment Editor, CNN National Desk;

• CNN Political Desk Manager

  • Feb 2008 - Dec 2008

  i was brought in the middle of the national campaign to manage, oversee and direct the CNN Political Desk, for coverage of a historic Presidential campaign, including Democratic and Republican Conventions and Election Day. It was a great front seat to a historical election. It included covering both Dem and GOP conventions, Sarah Palin, debates and Election Day ---and the days beyond as the new administration was being put together.

• Weekend Desk Manager

  • Feb 1997 - Jan 2001

  I planned, and managed CNN's weekend national news coverage, including guest studios, and the Affiliate Desk. There was always big news breaking on the weekend-- the crash of the Shuttle Columbia over Texas, developments in Clinton-Whitewater investigation, the "Millineum" and more.

• CNN Miami Bureau

  • Jul 1993 - Feb 1997

  I was the Bureau Assignment Manager, responsible to oversee, manage and schedule correspondents, producers and crews for news coverage in Florida and the Caribbean. This included coverage of space shuttles, hurricanes, and Haitian/Cuban refugee crisis. I also covered the murder of Gianni Versace (and the manhunt for his killer Andrew Cunanan), the manhunt for 5 escaped killers in Belle Glade, Fla., and the craziness that is Florida news.

• CNN London Bureau

  • Jun 1990 - Jul 1993

  I was the CNN London Bureau control room producer and reporter. I had to oversee satellite and ground video feeds from Europe, Africa, and elsewhere, into the bureau, and onto Atlanta. I reported on resignation of UK Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, IRA bombings in London, the building of the Channel Tunnel and auto stories in Europe, and the impact of Gulf War on Europe

• CNN Detroit Bureau Assignment Manager

  • Mar 1986 - Jun 1990

  I managed a bureau staff of 5, with assistant bureau chief duties and work on story management and production, and bureau travel, for news in Midwest, Canada and breaking news nationally. I was also a CNN Radio Correspondent, filing from major stories such as the NW plane crash in Detroit which had just one surivivor-- 4 yr old Cecelia Cichan, the suspension of Pete Rose, and many auto industry stories.



WBRB

• Sports Dir/Play by Play HS Sports

  • 1985 - 1990

  Each week during the school year, I was the play-by-play voice, engineer, researcher and producer of live high school football and boy's basketball "Game of the Week" (on twice a week during basketball).. I called basketball games with former Lakeview HS head coach Dick Black and later with Gary Ratski, whom I also did football games with. I produced and hosted a nightly sports talk/call-in show as well. Each week during the school year, I was the play-by-play voice, engineer, researcher and producer of live high school football and boy's basketball "Game of the Week" (on twice a week during basketball).. I called basketball games with former Lakeview HS head coach Dick Black and later with Gary Ratski, whom I also did football games with. I produced and hosted a nightly sports talk/call-in show as well.



WJR Radio

• United States
• Writing and Editing

• Morning Drive producer/street reporter

  • 1985 - 1986

  I was WJR-AM's Morning Drive news show producer, street reporter and assistant to Sales Department. I helped produce WJR's 6am- 10am news blocks, with anchors Dan Streeter, Asst. News Director Tom Campbell, reporters Gene Fogel, Gene Healy, Ann Thomas, Barbara Porter and many others. I also assisted J.P. McCarthy and his show team, including his producer Hal Youngblood, with news and information for their show. I was WJR-AM's Morning Drive news show producer, street reporter and assistant to Sales Department. I helped produce WJR's 6am- 10am news blocks, with anchors Dan Streeter, Asst. News Director Tom Campbell, reporters Gene Fogel, Gene Healy, Ann Thomas, Barbara Porter and many others. I also assisted J.P. McCarthy and his show team, including his producer Hal Youngblood, with news and information for their show.