WMC, the NBC affiliate serving Memphis and the Mid-South, has appointed Kevin Lightfoot as its next news director. A seasoned newsroom leader with more than 20 years of experience in major markets across the country, Lightfoot brings a strong track record of editorial leadership and a passion for effective, community-focused journalism, the station announced in a news release Friday.
Lightfoot most recently served as assistant news director at WCBS, the CBS-owned station in New York City. Before joining WCBS, he was executive producer at KTRK, the ABC/Disney-owned station in Houston, Texas, where he helped guide coverage in one of the nation’s most competitive news environments. His earlier career includes news management roles in Orlando, Florida, and Jackson, Mississippi.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Kevin to Gray (Local Media, Inc.) and have him lead WMC’s newsroom into its next chapter,” said Jonathan Mitchell, vice president and general manager of WMC. “Kevin’s depth of experience and passion for impactful journalism make him the perfect leader to build on our momentum and shape the future of local news in Memphis.”
“The team of journalists at WMC is exceptional, their commitment to impactful, enterprise journalism is inspiring,” said Lightfoot. “I’m honored to join such a dedicated newsroom and excited to hit the ground running in Memphis.”
An alumnus of Hampton University’s Scripps Howard School of Journalism, Lightfoot graduated with honors and served on the executive board of the university’s chapter of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is a longtime member of NABJ and has held numerous leadership roles in the organization, including president of the Jackson chapter, vice president of the Houston chapter and treasurer of the New York City chapter.
Born in New York City and raised in New Jersey, Lightfoot is a father of three boys and a passionate fan of the New York Giants, Yankees and Knicks.
