As 2018 comes to an end, so does a remarkable career for the man at the helm of Lexington’s number one TV news operation.
Bruce Carter, the News Director at LEX18 for the past twenty years, will be retiring effective December 14th. This year also marks another milestone for Bruce- his fortieth year in the news broadcasting 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 LEX18. “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,” observed Pat Dalbey, LEX18’s President and General Manager. “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 and his family the best of everything in the future.”
Bruce began his career back in 1978 at WBKO-TV, the ABC affiliate in Bowling Green, Kentucky, 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, Bruce moved to his hometown of Louisville and began working for WLKY-TV as a television news photographer in 1980. After two short years with the station Bruce was recruited by then WAVE-TV Chief News Photographer John Lansing to join a growing and talented news photography staff at the station. Bruce served in several capacities while working at WAVE-TV, beginning with news photographer and advancing to Chief News photographer, where he built a highly regarded award-winning photojournalist team. Bruce 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 Bruce accepted his first News Director role at WSLS-TV, the NBC affiliate in Roanoke, Virginia in 1997. After just one short year with the Media General station, he accepted the position of News Director for LEX18.
During his tenure with the station, Carter helped build a powerful news operation and trusted news and weather brands that resulted in LEX18 becoming the number one 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.
“Bruce also brought to LEX18 a skill set you rarely find in a news director,” says Marketing Director Dave Medley. “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.”
Bruce is married to Diane, a former television director and his wife for twenty-eight years. Together they have two talented sons, Brad and Harrison. Outside of work Bruce enjoys home remodeling, family beach vacations and hiking with the boys.
