WTMJ Sales Dir. LeGrand Retiring After 40+ Years

After more than 40 years at Scripps-owned WTMJ Milwaukee (DMA 35), Mark LeGrand, the NBC affiliate’s director of sales is retiring, effective Feb. 3, 2017.

During his career, the station said, LeGrand developed and maintained relationships with advertisers and grew a dedicated sales staff to serve the needs of local businesses.

“If you talk to Mark, you know that he is as passionate about the job today as he was when he was a new rep in the 1970s,” said Joe Poss, WTMJ VP-GM. “His affection for this station and the people here is clear. It will be tough to say goodbye, but Mark believes it is time to pass the torch and to head into that next phase of his life with his wife Nancy. His influence on this market and the world of advertising in this area has been significant and is deserving of our thanks and respect.”

“What a thrill it has been to interact with both large and small businesses as they have grown individually and fueled Milwaukee’s economy,” said LeGrand. “It has been an honor and a special privilege to have spent much of my life at [WTMJ]. My thanks to all the current and former colleagues who I have had the good fortune to work with and to know.” . 

LeGrand grew up in the television business as his father was a general manager at another Milwaukee TV station. LeGrand went the route of sales and marketing, and in 1974, he joined the sales team at WTMJ. He quickly moved up the ranks to be sales manager and eventually sales director.

The station said it will plan a fitting retirement sendoff later this year to give friends, colleagues and customers a chance to share their fondest memories and wish him well in his retirement.