In a memo to staff, CBS News VP/Radio Harvey Nagler said this is the “right time to sign off,” and that he will be retiring to move into consulting work. His last day at CBS will be January 6. Nagler writes, “I feel very confident that I am leaving our network in the most capable of hands.”
Nagler, who began his career as a reporter for WCTC-AM/New Brunswick, NJ, was named to his current post in 1998, and before that was GM of CBS Radio News and, prior to that, director of news and programming for WCBS-AM Newsradio 88 in New York. He earlier served as VP of news and sports for United Stations Radio Networks.
In his long career he’s been honored with the RTNDA’s John F. Hogan Distinguished Service Award and its Barney Oldfield Award for outstanding contributions to the foundation. In 2010, he received the Radio Television Digital News Foundation’s First Amendment Service Award.
The entire memo:
There is never a good time to leave but there is a right time. So, after 50 years in radio, the past 18 here at CBS News, now is the right time for me to sign off.
I feel very confident that I am leaving our network in the most capable of hands. I am pleased that we have renewed our relationship with Westwood, thus securing our future. I am not stopping work completely, but going to slow down by doing some consulting work. My last day here is Friday, January 6.
This has been a hard decision. You are an extraordinarily talented group of individuals and you have made my job richly rewarding. It has been my privilege to work with you.
I leave with a great sense of accomplishment. Over the last 10 years you have won more than 50 Edward R. Murrow Awards, including Overall Excellence seven years in a row, a record that is not likely to be replicated. These honors have covered such major events as 9/11, the invasion of Iraq, the death of Osama bin Laden, terrorist attacks throughout the world, the elections of Presidents Bush and Obama, Superstorm Sandy, the mass shootings at Sandy Hook and many more. You and I have truly been a witness to – and have reported – the first drafts of history.
In reviewing my notes I came across several of them that began, “this was another one of those tragic days in American history.” But they all contained responses from our stations with messages like, “these are the days we depend on you and you delivered”….”extraordinary coverage”…”very impressive”…”we consistently sounded better, smarter and more comprehensive than our competition.”
As the industry continues to evolve I am proud that we have been able to change with it while maintaining the finest traditions of CBS News and the highest standards of journalism.
I wish you all the best and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing with me the job of a lifetime.
