To all my friends, collegues, co-workers and most importantly family:
Well after much soul searching, discussions with my wife, family, fellow co-workers and friends, I have decided to make a jump in the Television Market to Tulsa, Oklahoma by becoming the new Weekend Director at the News on 6 - KOTV! I received the offer Wednesday Night February 23rd and I could not turn it down.
This is a new chapter in our lives. I've been with KOAM-TV/FOX-14 since 2001 with only a 6 month hiatus in 2004 by moving up north to Des Moines, IA to KCCI-TV, but family illnesses drew us back to 4-State area. Plus the economy really hit us hard. Our business took a hit in 2010 and we only have 3 weddings booked this year. When former co-workers Stephanie Marsh (KOAM Alumni) and Kia Hartweg (KCCI Alumni) notified me of the position at the first of January, I decided to put my name in the hat.
Everyone but me (even my boss Steve Holinsworth) knew they would offer the position to me. I guess I'm humble and didn't want to get my hopes up just in case I didn't get the position. But now it's really happening.
So everyone is asking me what about our business? Well right now we've put bookings on hold for the rest of this year. Working weekends will prevent me from booking very many jobs. So probably when I get vacation time, I'll most likely use that time to take off to shoot weddings since I love doing that. But KOTV will now be my priority. I need to give it my 110%. The 3 weddings booked will be shot and edited and delivered as promised. One of them I won't be able to go shoot, so my wife and a couple of shooters I'll hire will assist Tracie for that day. I have complete confidence they can do this without me and I'll just edit it together. So I'll limit my weddings to probably 5 or 10 a year for now. Plus I have fellow wedding videographers and filmmakers in the Tulsa area that if they needed help, I could assist them if my schedule doesn't conflict.
What about our house? For now we're going to get it fixed up and get it ready to put on the market. . (Although right now I can't contribute much because of my foot), I will be staying with my high school friend of nearly 25 years Kevin Song for now until we can at least get it ready. Tracie is still attending PSU along with my brother who's been staying with us during the week. Once either the house is ready or when Tracie is ready to make her move to Tulsa, we'll find a place to either rent or buy. I feel horrible because Tracie has a great job with WATCO companies. She's really happy for the first time in a long time after leaving Names and Numbers. But the move for us will put her within an hour and a half from family instead of 4 hours as it is now. The distance and time is the still the same for me since most of my family lives in Northeast Oklahoma as well as the Coffeyville, KS area.
I went to school for broadcasting, I have a bachelor's in the field. So it's time to move on, use that degree and give someone else the experience KOAM/FOX-14 can provide to move them up the ladder in the Television Industry.
This was a difficult decision for me to make. I have loved every minute of KOAM-TV/FOX-14. I've had the perfect position where I've worked in all aspects of every department. So I feel I know just about every person here and at the bureau, from news, production, promotions, admin, and sales. I've had some hand in each of those departments. I've had my battles, disagreements, laughters, even some tears. It has been a rewarding experience. I will miss it. I've made a lot of friends, hopefully no enemies! :) Because hey I can get cranky too! ;) I've seen a lot of changes in technology, faces and so much more, but the goal has always been the same to be the Dominant Number One Station in the market.
Thanks to everyone I've worked with over the years at KOAM-TV/FOX-14. It's been one hell of a ride!
My last day at KOAM: Friday March 18th
First Day at KOTV: Monday March 21
Raymond Vail
Senior Director/Production Videographer - KOAM-TV/KFJX-TV
Business Owner - RLV Productions, LLC
