Bob Epstein was named Vice President of NBC News Specials in July 2011. In this role, Epstein manages the fundamental work of the award-winning Specials unit -- spearheading all breaking news live coverage on NBC News platforms, as well as creating and producing major live programs and events on NBC News, MSNBC and other NBCUniversal properties.
Most recently, Epstein was the executive producer of "NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams” from December 2008 to July 2011. In his tenure, Epstein cemented the broadcast’s position as America’s number one evening newscast. He oversaw “Nightly’s” distinguished coverage of significant news events such as the “Miracle on the Hudson,” the earthquake in Haiti, the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the unrest in Cairo and Libya, the earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the tornado devastation in the south, and the death of Osama bin Laden.
Previously, Epstein had been the senior broadcast producer of “Nightly” since April 2006. From 2002-2006 Epstein produced “Weekend Nightly” ultimately being named executive producer. Epstein served as senior broadcast producer of NBC News Specials from 2000-2001. In these positions Epstein played a senior role in the coverage of events ranging from the September 11th attacks, to the 2000, 2004 and 2008 presidential elections, Hurricane Katrina and the war in Iraq.
Epstein’s career with NBC News began in February 1996 when he joined MSNBC as executive producer of MSNBC daytime. While in that position, Epstein oversaw the network’s dayside coverage of such major news events as the deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa and the shootings at Columbine High School.
Before joining NBC News, Epstein worked in a variety of roles at CBS News for 18 years, including senior producer on the “CBS Evening News” weekend edition from 1992 to 1996. He was a producer with the “CBS Evening News with Dan Rather” for the three years prior, and from 1982 – 1989 he went from senior producer to senior broadcast producer at “CBS This Morning/CBS Morning News.” In 1982, Epstein was executive producer at WCBS-TV New York, Channel Two News at Eleven. From 1979 – 1981, Epstein served in a number of capacities at WBBM-TV/CBS Chicago, beginning as a newswriter, then producer, and eventually executive producer.
Prior to his career at CBS, Epstein was news director of WCLR Radio, Chicago, a reporter/anchor at WMAQ/WNIS, the NBC Radio stations in Chicago, news director of WDBR Radio, in Springfield, Illinois, and a newswriter at WGN Chicago.
Epstein’s work has earned numerous accolades, including nine Emmy awards, four Edward R. Murrow awards, four Sigma Delta Chi awards, a duPont-Columbia University award, and two George Foster Peabody awards.
Epstein has been inducted in the Hall of Fame of the Illini Media Company, which runs the independent student radio station WPGU at the University of Illinois and is a member of the Resource Development Board, University of Illinois College of Media.
A graduate of the University of Illinois, Epstein resides in New York City with his wife and daughter.