WZZM Names Taz Painter News Director

Taz Painter has been named news director at WZZM, the ABC affiliate in Grand Rapids, Mich. Painter begins in his new role on April 14.

It is a move within Gannett for Painter, who has been managing editor at WBIR, the NBC affiliate in Knoxville, since 2007. He previously worked at KOAT in Albuquerque and WYFF in Greenville, S.C.

“Taz has a passion for creative storytelling, with an emphasis on watchdog and advocacy journalism, on all multimedia platforms. He brings a wealth of experience from his years at the top-rated station in Knoxville,” WZZM president and general manager Janet Mason said in a statement.

Painter replaces Stanton Tang, who is leaving WZZM to be closer to his family.