Following the news that Jim Bell would be leaving NBC’s “Today” for a job at NBC Olympics, the network has promoted senior broadcast producer Don Nash to executive producer of the long-running morning program. Nash will report to Alex Wallace, who will serve as executive in charge of the program.
Nash is a 23-year veteran of “Today,” and started his career as an NBC Page at the network’s Burbank studios in 1989. He moved to New York in 1999 to become a senior producer for “Today,” and has been senior broadcast producer since 2005.
“Don Nash deserves to be at the helm of ‘Today,’” NBC News president Steve Capus said in a statement. “He is a beloved member of the Today family who brings vision, commitment and a deep familiarity to all aspects of the broadcast. The formidable individual talents of Alex, Don and the ‘Today’ leadership are now combined and I’m confident our team is well positioned for success.”
More information below.
NBC NEWS PROMOTES DON NASH TO EXECUTIVE PRODUCER OF “TODAY”
New York – November 14, 2012 – Veteran “Today” show Senior Broadcast Producer Don Nash has been promoted to Executive Producer of the iconic morning show. The announcement was made today by Steve Capus, President, NBC News.
Effective December 1, Nash succeeds former “Today” Executive Producer Jim Bell who has been appointed Executive Producer of NBCUniversal’s Olympic Coverage.
As Executive Producer, Nash will be responsible for all four hours of “Today” program content and will lead the broadcast’s management team and program staff.
Nash will report to Alexandra Wallace, who has been appointed Executive in Charge of the “Today” show. In that capacity, Wallace will have executive oversight of “Today.” Wallace will continue to report to Capus.
Said Capus: “Don Nash deserves to be at the helm of ‘Today.’ He is a beloved member of the Today family who brings vision, commitment and a deep familiarity to all aspects of the broadcast. The formidable individual talents of Alex, Don and the ‘Today’ leadership are now combined and I’m confident our team is well positioned for success.”
I also want to thank and congratulate Jim Bell for seven years of leadership at ‘Today.’ We are grateful for his many contributions to the show and have no doubt he will have continued success in his new role as executive producer of the company’s Olympic coverage.”
Said Bell: “I am thrilled for Don and for ‘Today’. We have spent nearly every weekday morning together for almost eight years, and I know firsthand the show will benefit from Don’s unmatched morning television experience, control room skill and leadership.”
A 23-year veteran of “Today,” Nash previously served as the show’s senior broadcast producer where for the past seven years he orchestrated the live broadcast from the control room each morning and played an integral role in day-to-day programming. He has overseen hundreds of breaking news events including three presidential elections, the capture of Osama Bin Laden, the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, Hurricanes Katrina and Sandy, and the devastating Aurora, Colo. shooting. Nash was also responsible for the production of many landmark show events and series including Today’s coverage of the Summer Olympic Games in London, the Royal Wedding, and “Today Goes Viral.” He most recently oversaw the program’s multi-million dollar renovation of its studio exterior and video wall.
Nash began his career at NBC in 1989 as a Page in Burbank, Ca. Following his role with the Page Program, he accepted a production assistant position at “Today’s” Burbank Bureau where he began his remarkable tenure with the show. Over the next 10 years, Nash assumed roles as associate producer and producer, and in 1999, he moved to New York to become a senior producer for the show.
In 2002, Nash was named executive producer of “Weekend Today” where he ran all aspects of the show, including content, marketing, sales and finance, and he garnered all-time ratings highs for the program. In 2005 he returned to the weekday edition of “Today” as senior broadcast producer.
Nash graduated from UCLA with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications Studies. He lives in Connecticut with his wife Gaylen and their two daughters, Cassidy and Alice.
In addition to her Today show responsibilities, Alex Wallace will continue as the Executive Producer of “Rock Center with Brian Williams.” She previously served as Senior Vice President of “NBC News,” and Capus’ chief deputy within the News division. She has also served as Executive Producer of the broadcasts: NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams and Weekend Today.