Nexstar Media Group‘s TV stations serving Southwestern Missouri have a new leader. It is an individual who is transferring from the company’s media operations in Houston, and he has a resumé that includes management roles for TV stations in Waco, Texas and TV properties in Twin Falls, Idaho, for Neuhoff Communications.
Shifting to FOX-aligned KRBK-49 and MyNetwork TV affiliate KOZL-27 in Springfield, Mo., to serve as VP/GM is Chris Pruitt.
He’ll also oversee Nexstar’s operation agreement that provides services to CBS affiliate KOLR-10 in Springfield, Mo., owned by Mission Broadcasting.
Pruitt reports to Nexstar broadcasting division SVP/Regional Manager Mike Vaughn in DMA No. 73, and will be responsible to the long-rage planning and daily operations of the three TV stations.
Pruitt is a native of Wichita Falls, Texas, and took over the Houston properties for Nexstar in August 2015 after exiting Neuhoff’s Magic Valley TV stations KMVT-TV & KSVT-TV, the CBS and FOX affiliates serving Twin Falls. There, Pruitt served as VP/GM until July 2015. That’s when he shifted to Houston to lead “The CW 39,” KIAH-TV. Pruitt’s accomplishments at The CW 39 include the launch of a weekday morning news show, a new weekday lifestyle show “Houston Happens,” and two weekend
sports shows highlighting local high school, college, and professional sports.
When Pruitt took the role in Houston, it marked a return to Nexstar, as he led stations owned by the company in the Texas markets of Midland-Odessa; Waco-Temple-Bryan; Beaumont-Port Arthur; and Wichita Falls.
“Chris is the perfect choice to lead our media operations in Springfield,” Vaughn said. “I know he is looking forward to getting back to a market where the local audience more closely matches his interests in nature and outdoor activities like hunting and fishing. In addition, just as he will do in Springfield, Chris has managed major network affiliates across multiple television stations in Waco and Twin Falls, and his recent large-market experience will be a real asset in this new role. Throughout his career, Chris has been
successful by connecting to viewers and advertisers with the kind of local content that is both relevant and meaningful, and I am confident he will do the same in Springfield.”
Commenting on his move to Springfield, Pruitt stated, “I have thoroughly enjoyed my nearly four years in Houston, and I’m proud of everything the team at KIAH accomplished—they are the best. I am just as happy to be joining our broadcast and digital teams in Springfield, and look forward to forging a deep relationship with the community. I am grateful to Nexstar for giving me this opportunity and I can’t wait to get started.”
Pruitt’s community involvement includes a past role on the marketing committee
of the Waco Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association. The self-described “Pilot, Sailor, Explorer, Trainer, Speaker and Author” from 1990-1995 was a Product Line Manager for Tucker Rocky Distributing, before entering a career in broadcast media sales.