After 41 years on the job and 12 moves across the country, a Gray Media regional VP/General Manager has decided it’s time to retire from local broadcast media.
“It’s been one heck of a ride — especially considering this career was never really on my radar!,” says Matt Pumo.
“I originally thought I’d be manning the outfield for the Cleveland Indians or New York Yankees,” Pumo jokes. “After tryouts with four MLB teams, reality set in and I realized a new career path needed to be forged.”
That career has been wholly focused on the broadcast media business, and Pumo points to his brother, who already had a job in the industry. This led Pumo to become interested in becoming a sports anchor. “It was like extended college—and I loved every minute of it,” he recalls. “Covering local high school, college and professional sports was an absolute blast.”
His most recent role: a Roanoke, Va.-based post linked to WDBJ-7, Gray’s television station in the market since February 2016, when he came aboard from Lockwood Broadcasting in Greensboro, N.C., where he served as VP/GM for four years. From 2006-2011, he was VP/GM of WALA “FOX 10” in Mobile under LIN Media ownership and, before that, Emmis Communications.
Puma’s earliest entry into the business side of local TV came in Roanoke, when FOX was in its early stages. He held a sales role there before becoming LSM of a Greensboro station. Then, he accepted his first Director of Sales position, in Charleston, S.C.
There’d be more cities and stops, including two stints in Texas, a spell in Milwaukee, and the trip to Mobile to join WALA.
In Roanoke for more than a decade and with 41 years of experience behind him, “I can honestly say it’s been one hell of an adventure.”
Pumo adds, “Along the way, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredibly talented people, learn from some great leaders, lead some amazing teams, and—most importantly—build relationships and friendships that will last far beyond my career. There are far too many people to thank individually, but please know how grateful I am to everyone who played a part in this journey. You made the long hours, the moves, the challenges and the miles all worthwhile … Now it’s time for the next chapter. We’ll be teeing it up shortly!”
