Albuquerque’s KOB has hired Laurie Passman, an assistant ND with Phoenix’s KTVK, as news director.

“She brings a lot of passion, skill and leadership to our news operation,” said Mike Burgess, KOB’s vice president and general manager, in announcing the hiring. “Laurie is from Albuquerque. Her knowledge of the city and the news business will insure we continue to produce the best news in town.”

Passman grew up in the Albuquerque area and attended the University of New Mexico. She began her TV news career as an intern with KOB in 1996.

“I was a weekend assignment editor, then weekend morning show producer. I drove live trucks, answered phones and organized files. I would have swept the floor if they asked,” Passman said, recalling her previous experience with KOB. “I credit my experience there with giving me a solid foundation in the news business.” Read more

Julie Szulczewski is returning to Charlotte as news director of WSOC-WAXN.

WSOC, an ABC-affiliate, announced today that Szulczewski, who served as a managing editor for the station before leaving a year ago, had been tapped to lead its newsroom.

“Julie brings a wealth of knowledge and a fresh perspective to WSOC-TV/WAXN-TV,” said Joe Pomilla, vice president and general manager of the Cox-owned duopoly, in announcing the move.

Szulczewski’s “fresh perspective” comes from her time with Albuquerque’s KOB, where she served as news director after leaving WSOC in early 2010.

“I’m excited and honored to have this opportunity in such a terrific newsroom,” Szulczewski said about her return to WSOC.

In accepting a job with Albuquerque’s KOB, reporter-anchor Heather Mills was essentially following in her father’s footsteps. Mills’s father is veteran KCBS-KCAL reporter Greg Mills and he got his start at Roswell’s KBIM.

Mills comes to KOB from KAUZ in Wichita Falls, TX and her father couldn’t be happier. As she climbs the TV ranks in the southwest, the elder Mills offered her a bit of advice.

“I gave Heather two main pieces of advice,” he told TVSpy sister site FishbowlLA. “Be yourself; keep in mind that they’re hiring you, not someone else. At the same time, watch the other people around you and learn. She’s now with very seasoned anchors at KOB, people that have been doing it 15, 20 years.” Read more at FishbowlLA

Albuquerque’s KOB has signed Heather Mills as a reporter and weekend co-anchor.

Mills is making a triple digit market jump with the move, coming to KOB from KAUZ in Wichita Falls, TX, where she was the CBS-affiliate’s main anchor.

“My dad’s first TV job was actually for KBIM-TV in Roswell,” Mills said in announcing her move to Albuquerque. “My parents loved New Mexico. Living and working in Albuquerque is going to be a dream come true for me.”

Mills will be joining Joe Vigil at the anchor desk on weekends beginning March 26th.  Her first day with the station is March 14th.