The president and general manager of WISN-TV in Milwaukee, Jan Wade, will retire at the end of this year, capping a career of more than four decades at leading television stations in seven major markets.
“Leveraging her deep industry experience, Jan has led WISN to a consistent level of excellence and quality in all facets of the organization while further solidifying its position as Milwaukee’s news leader,” said Michael J. Hayes, Hearst Television president. “Jan is a broadcaster and she has led by example while expanding and strengthening WISN’s important role in the community.”
“I feel blessed to have spent the past four decades working in a profession that I am so passionate about,” Wade said.. “I am also greatly honored to have worked beside many valued and talented colleagues all along the way. I will cherish them. I am also particularly grateful to have spent the past several years with Hearst Television. Finally, it is my hope that I have made a small difference in the stations and the communities I’ve served.”
Wade was Milwaukee’s first female television general manager and, under her leadership, WISN – which recently celebrated its 70th anniversary — substantially expanded its local news and programming. During her time there, WISN expanded weekday morning news, adding newscasts at 4:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., as well as afternoon and evening newscasts at 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. The station also added an award-winning Sunday morning public affairs program, “Upfront,” and a weekly sports magazine show, “Big 12 Sports Saturday.”
During Wade’s time at the station and for more than five years, it has earned numerous awards, including multiple regional Edward R. Murrow Awards and a national Murrow, and the 2023 News Operation of the Year designation from the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association, which also has named WISN Station of the Year 10 times since Wade’s 2007 arrival.
In recognition of its community service efforts, WISN earned the prestigious Service to America Award from the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Leadership Foundation in 2021 for helping raise more than $1 million to benefit The Hunger Task Force’s work to feed Milwaukee citizens impacted by the pandemic.
Prior to joining Hearst Television in 2007 as president and general manager of WISN-TV, Wade served as president and general manager of WATE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Knoxville, Tennessee. Before that, she served in various roles in top TV stations in Nashville, Tampa, Providence and Minneapolis. She began her career as an assistant promotion manager at Louisville CBS affiliate WLKY-TV, which was later acquired by Hearst.
Among industry duties, she was board chair of the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association and currently serves as a member of its Executive Committee and co-chair of its Diversity and Inclusion Committee. She served for five years on the ABC TV Board of Governors; and she served as a National Association of Broadcasters Ambassador. Among many civic affiliations, she has served on the boards of the Pabst Mansion, Milwaukee Youth Symphony Orchestra, the Florentine Opera, and as chair of the Wilson Center of the Arts.
Wade was included in Milwaukee Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” honor roll in 2017, and last year received The Silver Circle Award from the Midwest/Chicago Emmy Chapter.
Wade’s successor will be named at a later date.
