Bottom Line Communications profiled Gary Lezak, chief meteorologist for Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB, during the recent snowstorm that blew through the Midwest.

Lezak told Bottom Line, “Weather is just fascinating.  The passion I have for winter weather forecasting gets me so focused and energized.”

Lezak’s passion was on display for Kansas City viewers during a 24-hour period running from Monday night until Tuesday evening.  His on-air odyssey began during the Monday 10:00 p.m. newscast with Lezak and his weather team giving regular updates on the storm and how it would affect the Kansas City area. Read more

Scott McDonnell is the newest reporter at KMBC, the ABC affiliate in Kansas City.

“Scott is a very strong reporter who wants the big story,” news director Sherrie Brown said in a statement. “I know our viewers will like him personally and respect him professionally. He is laser focused on doing what reporters should do; tell stories that are compelling and relevant to our viewers.”

McDonnell previously worked at Central Florida News 13 in Orlando and Bay News 9 in Tampa. He has worked at WSEE in Erie, Pa., WSHM in Springfield, Mass. and WFSB in Hartford. He begins at KMBC on March 4.

KMBC, the Kansas City ABC affiliate, has announced Matt Flener will join its sister station,CW affiliate KCWE, as morning anchor beginning April 1.

“It’s an honor to join such a well-respected station,” said Flener. “KMBC has a rich history of strong journalism and I’m excited to break stories that continue that tradition. I’m happy to move back to the Midwest to raise my kids. They have a great chance to learn strong family values in the Kansas City area and be close to their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins.”

Flener, who will anchor the 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. news on KCWE, comes to the station from KUSA in Denver where he was a news anchor, reporter and host of a monthly political talk show. Read more

Carrie Hofmann has been named news director at KSHB, the NBC affiliate in Kansas City.

Hofmann comes from WCNC in Charlotte, where she has been assistant news director for two years. Prior to that, she was assistant news director at KMGH in Denver.

“Carrie has the vision and leadership skills we believe will help 41 Action News move forward,” KSHB VP-GM Brian Bracco said in a statement.

Hofmann begins at KSHB March 6. She replaces Peggy Phillip, who left the station in August. [via Bottom Line Communications]

Bottom Line Communications is reporting Tracy Brogden Miller has been named news director at WDAF, the FOX affiliate in Kansas City, MO.

Three years ago, Brogden Miller was news director at Kansas City’s KCTV from 2007 to 2009. After leaving the Kansas City CBS affiliate, Brogden Miller worked as a senior consultant for market research firm, SmithGeiger.

She began her career as a producer at KOTV in Tulsa, OK, and has also worked for KXTV in Sacramento, KTVB in Boise, ID, and KTVK in Phoenix, AZ. She was also executive news director at NorthWest Cable News in Seattle.

Garrett Haake is joining Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB, Bottom Line Communications reports.

Haake joins KSHB from NBC news, where he was most recently an embedded reporter with GOP Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. Before the election, he was an associate producer for “Nightly News.”

Haake, a graduate of Southern Methodist University, will be a reporter at KSHB. He begins on February 11.

Four meteorologists from local TV stations around the country will get the chance to raise up to $50,000 for charity by guessing what America thinks.

Amber Sullins, chief meteorologist for Phoenix ABC affiliate KNXV, Mark Johnson, chief meteorologist for Cleveland ABC affiliate WEWS, George Flickinger, meteorologist for Tulsa NBC affiliate KJRH and Gary Lezak, chief meteorologist for Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB will duke it out on TV game show “Let’s Ask America” next Thursday, January 31.

“Let’s Ask America” is a televised game show with four contestants playing over Skype.  The contestants must predict how Americans answered questions like, “What did commuters say is the most difficult type of weather to drive in?” The show is produced by Scripps and Warner Bros. Telepictures and airs as a replacement for Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy in some markets. Read more

Elizabeth Alex is saying goodbye to Kansas City NBC affiliate KSHB, according to Bottom Line Communications.

Alex, who joined the station in 1996, will continue to anchor the 6 p.m. newscast through the February sweeps period. After that, she will continue on with the station as a special correspondent as she focuses full-time on a job at the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging.

“I thank KSHB, and the people of Kansas City for the honor of all these wonderful years on the air,” Alex told Bottom Line.

Barrett Tryon has joined WDAF, the Fox affiliate in Kansas City.

Tryon moves to Kansas City from Colorado Springs. He was a reporter at ABC affiliate KRDO from March 2010 to July 2011. After leaving KRDO, he joined the Colorado Springs-Gazette, where he was placed on administrative leave in June after he refused to remove a post about the newspaper’s sale from his personal Facebook page. He was eventually reinstated at the newspaper but declined to return.

At WDAF, Tryon will be an interactive content producer and technology reporter.

Erika Tallan is joining Kansas City CBS affiliate KCTV, the Lincoln Journal Star reports.

Tallan announced in October that she was signing off from KOLN-KGIN after four years at the Lincoln duopoly. She joined the stations as a producer and reporter in 2008 and was promoted to morning anchor in 2010.

At KCTV, Tallan will report for the morning newscast, which is anchored by Alexis Del Cid and Dave Hall.