Nexstar names general sales manager for KOZL-TV

Dallas-based Nexstar Broadcasting Group Inc. has filled the general sales manager position for its Springfield operations.

Jeff Gamble started last week as head of sales for Nexstar-owned KOZL-TV and OzarksFirst.com, and he also supervises sales with Mission Broadcasting's CBS affiliate KOLR 10, which Nexstar manages under a joint operating agreement, according to a news release.

"Jeff has a keen understanding of the Ozarks marketplace and how to use our media platforms to help local business grow," said Leo Henning, vice president and general manager of Nexstar's Springfield operations, in the release.

Henning started his position in August. Gamble and Henning are two key hires after at least six staff members - including General Manager Mark Gordon and veteran news anchors Joy Robertson and Sonya Kullmann - left the station since April, according to Springfield Business Journal archives. Nexstar has since hired Aaron Nolan and Ashley Ketz as anchors.

Gamble succeeds David Thomason, who left to take a position outside of the industry.

Gamble, who is a graduate of Missouri State University with a degree in finance, has roughly 30 years of sales and marketing experience, with about half of that directly related to TV broadcasting and digital services in the Ozarks. He has previous experience as a sales manager for KOLR 10, and he most recently served as general sales manager for KSNF-TV, KODE-TV and FourStatesHomePage.com in Joplin, the release said.

Shares of publicly traded Nexstar (Nasdaq: NXST) were trading at $8.70 as of 11:01 a.m., compared to a 52-week range of $5.53 to $9.60.[[In-content Ad]]