You Are Not the Person to Lead This News Department
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After 27 years, WDIO (Duluth, Minnesota) News Director Steve Goodspeed was told by his boss that he was done at the station.
“I was told that the station did not think I was the person they needed to continue leading the news department forward, and they decided to make a change,” said Goodspeed. “I was surprised and disappointed, but I do understand the station has the right to make the decision. I’m not the first news director to lose their job and unfortunately I won’t be the last. It was a great blessing to be here for 27 years.”
Goodspeed, who is 65, was seemingly not considering retirement. “I don’t plan my vacations very well. I don’t plan my weekends very well,” he said. “I wasn’t planning my future very well.”
Yes he got bounced, but he lasted about 25 years longer than most ND’s do before getting the news.
Goodspeed’s peers credit him with mentoring many young journalists who have come through the market. This seemingly resonates with Goodspeed, as well.
“I have always enjoyed hiring new people,” he said. At first it’s overwhelming for them: the details, the deadlines.
“For some, it’s a light switch that comes on,” he said. “For others it’s like a dimmer switch that slowly comes on. That’s something else when you see it.”
In the month since he’s been gone from WDIO, Goodspeed has been out of the limelight, but active on Twitter, where he has retweeted the news stories created by his former colleagues. He’s always loved the big news.
“Those are the moments,” he said. “When you’re experiencing it and seeing everyone come together, literally tears come to your eyes you’re so proud, really proud of how people just respond. Those moments when everyone’s working so hard.”
H/T Pine Journal
