John Butte is widely recognized as one of the best creative thinkers, content innovators and career developers in local television news.

Mr. Butte is a veteran television news executive with an unmatched range of experiences, unique accomplishments and significant awards. His remarkable eye for talent and his keen ability to recruit, teach and lead has highlighted his career. His associates work at all levels of television both in front of and behind the camera; both in local markets and in network television. His depth of experience as an Anchor/Reporter, News Director/General Manager/Educator and creative leader provide invaluable insights into hiring, contract negotiation and career advancement.

Mr. Butte began his career as a “one-man-band” reporter at WHAS, Louisville, Kentucky after graduating from Indiana University with a degree in television news. He went on to anchoring and producing in larger markets before entering news management and serving as News Director in Asheville, Baltimore, Tampa, Indianapolis and Cleveland.

At the Walt Disney Company in Burbank, California, as Executive Producer, Mr. Butte created the highly innovative advocacy television news magazine, “The Crusaders.”

In Columbus, Ohio, as General Manager, Mr. Butte created the Ohio News Network, ONN, Ohio’s 24/7 cable news channel.

Mr. Butte was promoted from News Director to Vice President and General Manager, WEWS-TV; the Scripps owned ABC affiliate in Cleveland in 2006.

Mr. Butte is the recipient of numerous awards including regional Emmy Awards and both a national Edward R. Murrow and an I.R.E. for investigative reporting. In 2014, he was inducted into the Silver Circle of the Lower Great Lakes Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.

Mr. Butte joined Kent State University in 2009. As the “Practitioner in Residence” at the KSU School of Journalism and Mass Communication, he serves as the Coordinator, Career Services and teaches performance, producing and reporting.

johnbutte@johnbutte.com

Rich Pegram is a television chess player of the highest order. He is nationally recognized for his “talent eye,” as a news leader and as a station builder with an unmatched will to win. Mr. Pegram excelled the last 33 years growing and leading top ranked and nationally recognized television stations in Richmond, Virginia, WTVR; Indianapolis, Indiana, WTHR; and Tampa, Florida, WFTS.

Mr. Pegram has shown an outstanding ability to recruit and develop news talent. Many of his “finds” reached the highest levels of success in television news. His long list includes Bob Woodruff, ABC World News Tonight anchor, Chad Myers-CNN National Weather Anchor, Lindsay Davis-ABC National Correspondent, as well as scores of others with highly successful careers in top markets as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia and Dallas.

In each market, Mr. Pegram developed his stations into leadership positions in both ratings, content and community service. Often, they were recognized with prestigious awards as the best in their region.

WTHR, Indianapolis, under Mr. Pegram’s direction, received the highest awards possible in our industry including a Columbia DuPont, a George Foster Peabody, an IRE and multiple regional and national Edward R. Murrow’s and Emmy’s.

Similarly in Tampa, WFTS mirrored such quality success and was awarded best news operation in Florida during the six years under his leadership.

Mr. Pegram with his national reputation for news excellence brings to clients at John Butte & Associates a wealth of experience in opportunity management, talent development, and contract negotiation.

rpegram44@gmail.com

Eric Butte is the latest Associate and West Coast addition to join John Butte and Associates. He brings a synergistic set of skills to the JBA team. Eric is an award-winning, marketing professional and top-tiered theatre & music artist and manager. His eye for talent might be in his genes but his mentorship and negotiation skills are well earned. Eric combines real-world experience in successful sales and marketing initiatives, artist management and event planning.

Eric’s specialized service and experience bolsters JBA’s competitive advantage. He packs zeal for broadcast and digital journalism and flare for the possible. Eric holds a Music Business Marketing Degree from Indiana University. His office is in Portland, Oregon.

ericbutte@johnbutte.com

Nick Dalley, President of Intentional Communication, Inc., has been in the business of coaching presentation skills for the past 25 years.

Nick coaches many local affiliate news teams as well as many of the country’s best-known political broadcasters and professional sports figures. Nick’s work is credited with helping communicators at all levels of broadcasting improve the quality and effectiveness of their message and grow their careers.

Beginning in the ‘80s Nick worked with a New York based presentation development firm. Prior to establishing ICI, he worked for nine years with Audience Research and Development/Talent Dynamics where his title was Senior Talent Coach and Vice President of Executive Development. He has also served as an adjunct professor for the Business Leadership Center at SMU’s Cox school of Business.

As Associate of John Butte & Associates, Nick Dalley is available to JBA Clients on an adjusted rate basis.