I got a job – and I’m moving!

I got a job – and I’m moving!

2015 WCYB logoYes! You read right! It finally happened!

I’m going to be the next digital manager at WCYB-Channel 5 in the Tri-Cities, TN/VA (one letter off from WCVB-Channel 5 in Boston, but a world apart), working roughly 11-8, but you know news. More on the station and location in a moment.

You probably know I’ve been holding out for the right opportunity and looked all over the place, even flying and driving to some. Yes, I thought I had found that opportunity once or twice before in my five-and-a-half months of not working. Now, I’m thrilled to announce I found the right situation with the right people. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and hope to stay for many years!

It’s also my first official management position. Producing a newscast and managing a classroom require the same skills, but don’t really count. This puts me back on my true career path, done with the teaching detour, but still coaching and mentoring.

WEMT-Channel 39 Fox Tri-Cities logoAnd before I forget, thank you to my references: SH, SY, DS, EE, DL, JK, CG, and KM. I’m sure you’ve been bothered repeatedly! Also, Liz, Matt, Jade, Sheila, Cindy, and especially Garry and Liza, for your help, suggestions, and encouragement.

WCYB's Tri-Cities CW4 logoNow to business. The station is an NBC affiliate. It also manages and produces news for the Fox station, WEMT-Channel 39, and airs The CW on a digital subchannel. It has been #1 forever.

Bonten Media Group logoWCYB is owned by Bonten Media Group, which has stations in five markets. The Tri-Cities is the largest. It’s market #92 — bigger than SavannahCharleston, and El Paso – and has been growing. It advertises itself as a region that is rich in history, filled with charm, and framed by the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. map Tri-Cities, TN/VATo anyone who says it’s too small for me, you know I just want to be happy. For anybody who says there may not be much to do, what do I do in Miami?!

The Tri-Cities (KingsportJohnson City, and Bristol in Tennessee, and the twin-city of Bristol over the Virginia border,

from FallonGroup.com
from FallonGroup.com

which is actually a street called State Street) is NOT the NY/NJ/CT Tri-State area. It’s where I-81 and I-26 meet in far northeastern Tennessee, just over the border from far southwestern Virginia. Also nearby are Kentucky and North Carolina, and West Virginia isn’t too far away.

So there’s lots close. I’ve said I wanted a change of seasons and land that’s not so flat, and not a lot of traffic. Bristol TN/VA sign "Good Place To Live"This may be the jackpot! And yes, there’s a synagogue! The TV station is on the Virginia side of Bristol. From Miami, take I-95 north to I-26 west. From the northeast, go west to I-81 and take it south. The airport is small, but you can fly DeltaU.S. Airways, and Allegiant to Atlanta and Charlotte, and the small airports of Sanford (near Orlando) and St. Petersburg (near Tampa) in Florida.

wcyb.com logoI probably won’t be going anywhere except quick weekend family functions in June in New York and August in New Hampshire.

WCYB & wcyb.com logosSo please, stop by WCYB.com regularly, download the news and Storm Track 5 apps, and sign up for emails including national breaking news for those of you outside the Tri-Cities area. You can also keep up to date with News 5 WCYB on FacebookTwitter, and Google+.

I start in about a week and a half. We’re hoping for Monday, March 9th. First, I’m going to put the house up for rent. No big going away party. They’re not for me (most Jews can’t say goodbye) and I have to act quickly. Stay tuned for news on the move


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Comments

  1. I am quite happy for you. Before reading this, I did not know the extent of your experience. I can tell you seem happier. Since you checked out the existence of a synagogue, I am sure you also checked out the existence of alternative life style and social groups. But I imagine that would be secondary to your career goals. Since it appeared you were dating locally, was that serious enough to involve a multiple move or will it now be long distance like mine or will it end? I have visited that area a few times in my life and will be on the Tennessee border attending a family members 90th birthday for a few days in the middle of April. Doubtful if I can visit. Best of luck and so much more.

  2. Great news and good luck. Jerry, Jack and I took a road trip to TN. We stopped in Bristol for a couple of hours. They have a building on State Street called the Strauss Building! Best of luck.

  3. This is wonderful news, Lenny! The best and truest words: “you know I just want to be happy.” It sounds like you will be, in a beautiful place that has all that you want and need. May your feed be filled with lots of good news (in addition to all the regular news 😉 ), and may your storm track be light. I am so happy for you.

Something to add? Disagree? Let us all know!