Thursday, July 05, 2012

Virgil Dominic Named Interim News Director

Virgil Dominic
Distinguished veteran newsman Virgil Dominic will serve as Channel 3’s Interim News Director it was announced today.

“I can’t think of anyone better positioned to help guide our staff through the coverage challenges of the Summer Olympics and fall’s Prime Time launch than Virgil. He began his career at WKYC as a main anchor and set the tone for the region’s rich history of journalistic excellence,” stated President and General Manager Brooke Spectorsky. “For the past six years, he has been with us as a talent mentor and consultant, and we see this as a continuation of that vision.”

Dominic studied radio and television journalism at the University of Tulsa and served in the U.S. Air Force as a public information officer. He honed his broadcast skills at the NBC affiliate in Oklahoma before coming to WKYC-TV in 1965. He moved to Atlanta in 1972 to turn around its ailing ABC affiliate and came back to Cleveland to work for WJW-TV in 1976, propelling the station to a 15-year run at No. 1 in the local ratings. Throughout his years in management, Dominic mentored several top-notch reporters, such as Kelly O’Donnell, political reporter for NBC News, and Martin Savidge, correspondent for CNN and formerly of NBC.

He is a member of five halls of fame: Cleveland Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Cleveland Press Club; Ohio Broadcasters Hall of Fame; Associated Press Hall of Fame; and UPI Hall of Fame. He also guest lectures at various colleges and universities.

Virgil is replacing current News Director Rita Andolsen who has embarked on a new role as Director of Advocacy and Community Initiatives working closing with Gannett corporate and twenty other Gannett broadcast stations. A search is underway for a permanent News Director.