“Matt is an excellent meteorologist and a remarkable person,” former WINK News director Tom Doerr told The News-Press/Naples Daily News this week, praising the longtime forecaster days after his abrupt firing. Doerr, who led the newsroom from 2016 to 2022, said Devitt’s professionalism and calm approach during hurricanes made him a voice people turned to in Southwest Florida.
Doerr declined to comment on the political controversy that has formed around the firing, which has drawn scrutiny from viewers and candidates in Florida’s 19th Congressional District.
In a statement, Doerr said Devitt earned a reputation for calm, reliable coverage during some of the area’s worst storms.
“I worked closely with him and the entire news team for years, often in dangerous weather conditions, to help people across Southwest Florida. His professionalism is unquestionable,” Doerr said.
Doerr now leads the Press Club of Southwest Florida and is a journalism adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
“As the newsroom’s leader, and as any competent news leader would agree, you want Matt Devitt on the team,” he said.
‘He was the steady voice’
“What truly made Matt extraordinary, however, were his intangibles,” Doerr said. “His approach was always factual, delivered in a calm, reassuring tone, which is one of his greatest gifts. When it came to dangerous hurricanes, Matt’s demeanor inspired confidence in the public and the news team, knowing we faced the same dangers posed by the storm that threatened life and property.”
Doerr said Devitt helped viewers understand the science behind storms.
“Matt stands tall on the goodwill he earned as a teacher of the ‘why’ behind the weather. He was upbeat and enthusiastic about the people and places that made this the greatest place to live in the country. When times were uncertain, he was the steady voice that would be with us every step of the way.”
Does Doerr think the firing will affect the congressional race?
Devitt’s dismissal has been used politically by some candidates, including Republican Catalina Lauf, who has accused media executive and congressional candidate Jim Schwartzel of influencing the decision. Schwartzel has denied any connection to personnel matters at WINK or its parent company. He is a media executive who founded 92.5 FOX News Radio and also owns Gulfshore Life Media.
Doerr said he would not weigh in. “I’m not going to speculate on how Matt’s departure might impact the election outcome,” he said.
He instead focused on Devitt’s next steps. “There is no doubt he will continue to be successful in whatever he chooses to do next. Most importantly, Matt has a loving wife and two beautiful children. Nothing matters more than that.”
What changes are happening inside the WINK weather team?
Devitt announced his termination on Jan. 10 and said it was a complete shock. The station has not explained the reasoning behind the decision or outlined plans for a permanent replacement.
Another departure followed soon after. On Jan. 13, Meteorologist Nikki Sheaks announced she was leaving WINK for Palm Beach, reducing the Weather Authority staff from seven to five.
WINK moved into its new headquarters in Gateway Monday, Jan. 12. Since Devitt left, new hire Josh Green has been handling the evening shifts previously anchored by Devitt.
Mickenzie Hannon is a watchdog reporter for The News-Press and Naples Daily News, covering Collier and Lee counties. Contact her at 239-435-3423 or mhannon@gannett.com.
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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: ‘Remarkable’: Former WINK director praises Matt Devitt after firing
Reporting by Mickenzie Hannon, Fort Myers News-Press & Naples Daily News / Fort Myers News-Press
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