Jeff Fager spent nearly 40 years at CBS News, where he rose from early production roles to become the executive producer of 60 Minutes and later its chairman. Jeff is widely known for his steady leadership at 60 Minutes and for helping CBS News adapt as the media landscape shifted toward digital platforms.

Jeff began his career after graduating from Colgate University with a degree in English literature. He entered television news in the late 1970s, working at a CBS station in Boston as a production assistant, writer, and assignment editor. He later moved to San Francisco, where he became a broadcast producer at KPIX-TV. In the early 1980s, he worked on several CBS News programs, including the weekend CBS Evening News and Nightwatch. He was then assigned to international coverage, based in London, where he produced reports on key global events, including conflicts in the Middle East, the 1986 bombing of Libya, and meetings between Ronald Reagan and Mikhail Gorbachev.

Jeff later played a role in launching 48 Hours before joining 60 Minutes as a producer. During his time there, he worked on numerous stories with correspondents like Morley Safer and Steve Kroft. In the 1990s, he moved into senior production roles at the CBS Evening News, where he helped cover major international stories, including the war in Bosnia and the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. His work during this period contributed to a Peabody Award.

Jeff went on to serve as executive producer of the CBS Evening News with Dan Rather from 1996 to 1998. He focused on strengthening reporting and expanding international coverage, thereby increasing the program’s audience. He later led 60 Minutes II and then became executive producer of 60 Minutes, serving for 14 seasons. His work emphasized clear storytelling and timely reporting while maintaining the program’s established standards, earning recognition through major industry awards.

In 2011, Jeff was appointed chairman of CBS News while continuing his work with 60 Minutes. He helped relaunch CBS This Morning with a stronger news focus and supported changes at the CBS Evening News. He also encouraged digital expansion through updates to the 60 Minutes website, partnerships with online platforms, and the launch of 60 Minutes Overtime. Jeff Fager continued to focus on long-form journalism and remained involved in shaping how news was delivered across both traditional and digital formats.