ROCKFORD — Mark Henderson, who led WIFR TV’s weather team as its chief meteorologist, is out after 22 years with the company.
Henderson’s last day was Wednesday. He said that he was informed after arriving at work that the station was moving in a different direction in the weather department. He told the Rock River Current that he’s appreciative of the opportunity WIFR gave him for the past 22 years, and he’s choosing to look at the decision optimistically.
“I’m excited that it gives me the opportunity to help the community in a different way,” he told the Current. “I know that there’s a calling for me to be able to make a positive difference somewhere else.”
He said he is looking for his next career opportunity.
No explanation was provided for Henderson’s departure from the station. WIFR General Manager Tim Myers said the station could not comment on personnel matters.
Gray Media, WIFR’s parent company, has a chief meteorologist job posted.
“I am deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden nature of the developments, and am profoundly sorry for not being able to deliver a proper goodbye to you on the air,” Henderson wrote in a message on social media. “Unfortunately, that’s the nature of the business sometimes, and I’m certainly not the first nor the last person to experience this.”
He said he was grateful to fulfill a childhood dream of delivering the weather on TV.
“Weather has always been a love of mine, and it always will be. To have been able to spend nearly a quarter century to bring my passion to you at home has been a tremendous blessing,” Henderson wrote. “Though the end of this chapter of my professional life did not come with a fairytale ending, I’m thankful for the opportunity WIFR gave me over the past nearly 22 years, and I will remember my time working there fondly. I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to work for and with some truly amazing people, and have established countless friendships that will last a lifetime.”
Henderson’s exit is one of several shakeups at the station and in local television news.
Late last week, the station announced that morning news anchor Andy Gannon would retire Aug. 1 after 42 years with WIFR. Evening news anchor Mike Garrigan will move to the morning desk, joining Maggie Polsean and Aaron Wilson.
Earlier this month, 13 WREX’s chief meteorologist Alex Kirchner signed off after more than 10 years with the station. Kirchner has joined Spectrum News 1 in Milwaukee.
Henderson is a native of Schaumburg who started with WIFR in July 2003 after working at WFQX in Cadillac, Michigan, and WJFW in Rhinelander, Wisconsin.
Starting here at age 24, Henderson said he didn’t initially envision the Rockford area becoming his long-term home.
“But this area embraced me, made me feel like family from the get-go, and treated me like one of their own,” he wrote on social media. “My wife, two children, and a dog later, I’m so fortunate to continue to call this region my home, and I have no plans of leaving here anytime soon.”
