GM Named For WISH-TV
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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowLIN Media LLC (NYSE: LIN) has named Les Vann General Manager of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV in Indianapolis. He most recently led a station in Savannah, Georgia. CBS Corp. earlier this month announced it would move its Indianapolis affiliation from WISH-TV to WTTV-TV.
August 26, 2014
News Release
Austin, Texas — LIN Media LLC (“LIN Media”; NYSE:LIN), a local multimedia company, today announced that Les Vann has been named President and General Manager of WISH-TV and WNDY-TV in Indianapolis, IN.
Mr. Vann is a veteran broadcast executive with more than 20 years of television station management experience. He steps in to his new role at LIN Media after serving as President and General Manager of WJCL-TV in Savannah, GA since January 2013.
Prior to LIN Media, Mr. Vann was Vice-President and General Manager of WKRC-TV and Local 12.2 in Cincinnati, OH, the 35th largest television market in the U.S. He has also managed television stations in Illinois, Iowa, North Carolina, South Carolina, and New York.
Mr. Vann will continue reporting to Jay Howell, LIN Media's Vice President Television. In announcing the appointment, Mr. Howell said, “Les has done a terrific job in Savannah, rebuilding and launching a new brand, transforming its news department and strengthening the station's commitment to localism. He brings a unique skill set to WISH-TV and WNDY-TV that will be very important to these stations' growth and development.”
“I am excited to join the team at WISH-TV and WNDY-TV at a moment of great opportunity to enhance the stations' strong community presence and develop innovative strategies that will drive new opportunities. Indianapolis has long been one of my favorite cities and I am eager to become immersed in their great traditions.”
Mr. Vann is committed to civic involvement and has been active in every community in which he has lived since he launched his broadcasting career in 1977.
He served on numerous non-profit boards, including the United Way Savannah, Urban League and The Neediest Kids of All, was President of three Parent Teacher Associations in Illinois, coached youth baseball, soccer and basketball, as well as served as Commissioner for a youth baseball league.
Mr. Vann received his Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Illinois State University and also attended the Broadcasters Executive Training program at the Kellogg School of Business at Northwestern University. He will reside in Indianapolis with Shannon Vann, his wife of more than 35 years.
Source: LIN Media LLC