Scott Picken has been named news director for WTVO-WQRF in Rockford, IL, according to Rick Gevers & Associates.

Early in his career, Scott worked as news director with current WTVO general manager Jon Skorburg.  Picken succeeds Kent Harrell who recently left the Nexstar-owned Rockford station for the media group’s Green Bay station, WFRV.

Until May, Picken was news director for KGAN-KFXA in Cedar Rapids, IA.  The veteran new director has also worked in Omaha, NE, Boise, ID, Green Bay, WI, Kansas City, MO and Honolulu, HI.

>Update: Scott told TVSpy, “I started today (9/24/2012), and yes, I’m very excited.  That’s because the GM here, Jon Skorburg, is a guy I’ve worked with before and with whom I have tremendous respect.  I’ll concede a return to Rockford wasn’t what I had in mind when I left my last job in Cedar Rapids, but when Jon told me he really wanted to work with me again, I realized I would enjoy that.