CBS News and Stations has named Joel Vilmenay president and general manager of its Los Angeles properties KCBS-KCAL, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com.
Vilmenay will report to CBS Stations president Jennifer Mitchell. He comes to CBS Stations after working for Hearst Television for the last 18 years. Most recently, he’s been the president and general manager of WDSU in New Orleans since February 2007.
Wendy McMahon, president and co-head, CBS News and Stations said the station group is getting a solid leader and an innovator who brings inspiration and calm.
“As a broadcaster and proud Louisiana native, I admire Joel for the incredible poise and professionalism he has displayed the last 14 years in one of the busiest breaking news markets in the country,” said McMahon. “Beginning with his first days on the job in New Orleans, 18 months after Hurricane Katrina, and continuing most recently with Hurricane Ida, he has helped his colleagues and local community rise above the storm on countless occasions.”
Vilmenay is one of 13 senior-level leaders named to the National Association of Broadcasters’ newly created Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee.
“I join Wendy and others in our industry who know Joel in being thoroughly impressed with his character, creativity and achievements,” said Mitchell. “In addition to being a leader who is well-liked and admired, Joel also stands out for all the work he has done to reimagine the business of local broadcasting and build out new content distribution platforms and opportunities for future success. We can’t wait to welcome him and his family to Los Angeles and introduce him to the talented and experienced team at CBS 2 and KCAL 9.”
The Washington, D.C. native started his career 31 years ago as an account executive at WWWZ-FM in Charleston, S.C. Vilmenay returned to D.C. less than a year later to work at WUSA in Washington, D.C. He then moved to Grand Rapids, Mich. to work as general sales manager at WZZM. His first gm job was with Hearst-owned KETV in Omaha, Neb., in 2003.
He starts in his new role on Monday, Oct. 18.