WLEX News Director Bruce Carter Retires

Bruce Carter, the news director of Cordillera Communications-owned NBC affiliate WLEX Lexington, Ky. (DMA 63), for the past 20 years, will retire on Dec. 14. This year also marks another milestone for Carter — his 40th year in the broadcasting news business.

“It’s been an honor to serve here for two decades. Very few news directors these days get the opportunity to stay with one station for that length of time,” says Carter of his career with WLEX. “So much has changed in the way we deliver news, but what has remained constant is being a credible and trusted part of the community. I’m very proud of what our team has accomplished, and I’m confident that LEX18 will continue as the news leader in the Bluegrass for years to come.”

“His career has been a lifetime of achievement,” said Pat Dalbey, WLEX’s president-GM. “From our daily news operation, to major annual endeavors like our Kentucky Derby coverage, Bruce has built a standard of excellence that’s been crucial to our success. I wish him and his family the best of everything in the future.”

Carter began his career in 1978 at WBKO, the ABC affiliate in Bowling Green, Ky., while attending Western Kentucky University where he majored in communication with an emphasis in photojournalism and a minor in graphic art.

After graduating from WKU, Carter moved to his hometown of Louisville and began working for WLKY as a television news photographer in 1980. After two short years with the station Carter was recruited by then-WAVE Louisville Chief News Photographer John Lansing to join a growing and talented news photography staff at the station.

Carter served in several capacities while working at WAVEV, beginning with news photographer and advancing to chief news photographer, where he built a highly regarded award-winning photojournalist team. Carter was then promoted to news operations manager and eventually advanced to the assistant news director role. He also spent several years in special projects producing sweeps and documentary specials.

In 1997 Carter accepted his first news director role at WSLS, the NBC affiliate in Roanoke, Va. After just one year with the Media General station, he accepted the position of news director of WLEX.

According to WLEX, during his tenure, Carter helped build a powerful news operation and trusted news and weather brands that resulted in WLEX becoming the No. 1 source for television news in Central Kentucky. He made his mark not only on daily news coverage, but also on station projects like LEX18’s annual award-winning, live coverage of Kentucky Derby Day.”

Marketing Director Dave Medley added: “Bruce also brought to LEX18 a skill set you rarely find in a news director. Not only is Bruce an award-winning photojournalist, he’s also incredibly talented when it comes to 3D motion graphics and virtual set design. I’m sure we’ll continue to see him use those talents beyond his retirement from LEX18.”