Special
Features / February 2007
On the Same Channel
 Jennifer and Jeff Nutter
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By Pat Lawrence
When local television station WTAP needed a temporary receptionist, creative director Jeff Nutter brought the idea and the job application home for his wife. Jeff says, “I knew she was good at what she did, and a dedicated employee.”
A stay-at home-mom, Jennifer had worked thirteen years at United Bank before taking time off to raise her children. She says, “It was just for six weeks, I thought that wouldn’t be too bad.”
But, it turned out she really liked working at the station and they liked her. Six weeks turned into six months and now, it’s been six years.
The couple have an easy, comfortable rhythm to their relationship, which extends into their work. Jennifer’s job has grown to include billing for Jeff’s department along with other administrative duties for the Program Director. “So I understand what he does a lot more now.” Jeff has been with the station for twenty six years, since he was 21. He studied broadcasting at Ohio University and has experience in a variety of departments, including directing live shows. As the station’s creative director, he handles commercials and promotions and is responsible for the overall look of the newscast.
There have been huge changes at WTAP, a $3 million dollar expansion, the addition of two new digital stations, more staff, and the installation of seven satellite dishes that ring the station “We’re broadcasting five different television signals simultaneously. It’s a very exciting time.” WTAP began broadcasting in 1953. Though it is ranked as the smallest TV station in West Virginia because it serves the smallest population, fifty five employees support the operation.
Despite all the expansion and new technology, Jeff says, “It’s still a very family oriented company.”
Jennifer and Jeff met at church, in the youth group as teens and married when she was 21 and he was 24. Jennifer had already started working at the bank and Jeff was working for Parkersburg’s early cable station. Jeff was also a wedding photographer. “Jennifer helped me with that, so we knew we could work well together.” They have been married 23 years. Jennifer says, “We have two kids, Kristen, 19, and Aaron, 16. And, we have two dogs, that have the run of the house. Actually, so do the kids!”
Their offices are on different sides of the building, but they are often in contact, since she takes messages for him, and handles much of the paperwork that accompanies the airing and billing for commercials. Jennifer says, “He’s very proficient at what he does.” They carpool together for a day that starts at 8:30 and ends around 5:30. Fortunately, they don’t get many calls at home. Jeff says,“Usually the crisis is a lost tape. But, that’s a problem!”
For relaxation, Jennifer says, “I read and crochets, he putters around on the computer. We both love to travel. In spring, I head for the flowers and he heads for the yard”
Both of their families also live nearby. Jeff says, one of their favorite acations is gathering together at the old family farm, way out in Roane County, “no phone, no cable and, no TV!”
Jennifer says the only downside to working together is, “It’s easy not to discuss home things at work, but it’s hard not to discuss work things at home. Even when we’re busy, we go home and discuss work!”
With so many people working so many different shifts, voice mail and email have made her job easier. Still, interacting with people is one of the things she enjoys most. Jennifer says, “If you call the station, you can get a real person.” Her temporary job has become a permanently good fit. “No one’s told me yet it was time to leave!”
Jennifer and Jeff treat each other courteously and professionally at work. Newer employees often don’t realize their personal relationship. One coworker could barely contain her curiosity about the couple after she saw them together at lunch one day. Jennifer enjoyed the moment. “She wanted to know if Jeff and I were dating! I said yes, after twenty years of marriage, we decided to start dating!”
Copyright © 2007 A Woman's View. All rights reserved.
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