Nuckolls earns 'master' title
By Billy Smuck
J Alumni News staff
Though he has rightfully earned his title, 39-year-old Dave Nuckolls probably won't be addressed as "master" anytime soon.
Nuckolls, a 1986 graduate from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln with a degree in broadcasting, was one of five UNL alumni to be recognized during UNL's 2002 Masters Week, which honors selected alumni who have shown great accomplishment and leadership in their careers.
Nuckolls said the honor came as a complete surprise. When someone from the Alumni Association called to invite him to be part of Masters Week, "I thought they had the wrong number, Nuckolls quipped.
At least no one can accuse Nuckolls, who is now the executive producer for special projects at CNN, of being arrogant.
While at CNN, Nuckolls has directed projects such as "Headline NEWS," "askCNN," and "Moneyline Update."
Before CNN hired him in 1998, Nuckolls spent 12 years producing live entertainment and special events for the Disney enterprises.
As the senior producer for creative entertainment, Nuckolls produced special events including the 25th anniversary of Walt Disney World and "Good Morning America" from Walt Disney World. He also developed several creative presentations for CEO Michael Eisner.
Then, last winter, he was the video director for each night's medal ceremonies during the Olympics in Salt Lake City.
Nuckolls said he attributes his successful career to good decision making as well as dumb luck.
"I saw the opportunities, and I pursued them," he said, while in Lincoln during Masters Week in early November. "I didn't pay attention to the odds. I worked hard and took risks, and that paid off for me."
Nuckolls said the road hadn't been easy and that he had to pay his dues early on like everyone else.
After graduating and sending out 130 resumes to various television stations - none of which produced any job offers - Nuckolls said he took matters into his own hands and took a job at the front desk of a resort hotel near the office of the guy he wanted to work for at Disney.
One year later, Nuckolls said he caught a break and got the job he had sought.
Four years later, Nuckolls' boss was working for him.
Since then, Nuckolls said he had been promoted more than 13 times while at Disney and CNN.
"I really didn't have a clue what I was going to do after graduation," he said. " Still I don't even know what's next for me."
Nuckolls said that learning a little about a lot of things while at UNL gave him the solid foundation of knowledge and skills that he needed in order to succeed in his career field.
"I look back on my university education a lot," he said. "It has been invaluable to me."
Peter Mayeux, one of Nuckolls' broadcasting professors, said Nuckolls was bright and enthusiastic as a student and that he was always up on current and technology affairs.
"He's certainly more sophisticated and refined now," Mayeux said. "I think he's evolved with the industry. As things keep changing, Dave's been able to assess those changes and see what traits and abilities he can offer to match the industry."
Nuckolls said he's always tried to be prepared for whatever may come next during what he said has been an "unpredictable career."
"Dave's had the kind of career that most people in our business would drool over," said Broadcasting Professor Rick Alloway, who met Nuckolls while the two were volunteers on the Nebraska Association of Student Councils in 1983.
Alloway said he began teaching at UNL in the summer of 1986, just after Nuckolls graduated.
"We just missed each other," Alloway said.
What Alloway didn't miss, however, was Nuckolls' abilities and contributions to both Disney and CNN.
"Dave is very innovative and creative," Alloway said. "He is also able to handle a lot of pressure, because certainly it's one situation when you're back in an editing studio and you've got lots of time to put together a short 60 to 90 second clip. It's another thing when you're on live national television producing an award ceremony and you've got to be able to call all the shots live and make all that work.
"He seems to be able to handle both, which I think makes him immensely valuable to any television organization."
While his career is obviously important to him, Nuckolls said it is not his top priority.
Nuckolls now resides in Atlanta with his wife Leslie, and children D.J., 9, and Natalie, 7.
"Having balance in your life is key," Nuckolls said. "Yes, I'm devoted to my career, but more importantly, I am devoted to my family. They come first."
