TEGNA Names GMs at Seattle and Austin Stations

By Kevin Eck 

TEGNA has named new GMs for KING in Seattle and KVUE in Austin, Texas.

At KING, Ray Heacox, whose 11 year tenure made him “the longest serving GM in the modern era of KING 5,” stepped down as GM of the Seattle NBC station and handed the reins to Jim Rose.

“We’ve known this day was coming for some time,” Heacox told staff. “Jim’s support and leadership over the last year enabled me to focus on moving KING 5 into the space we’re all standing in today. He kept the business moving forward during that time and now he will get to shape KING 5 on his own. You’re all in very good hands.”

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Rose started at KING in 2000. He worked his way up through the Sales department to be named vp and station manager in 2014.

In Austin, Texas TEGNA named Kristie Gonzales president and GM of its ABC affiliate. She takes over for Patti Smith, who left the station at the end of May.

“Kristie is a forward-thinking leader with experience creating strategic campaigns to grow audiences across platforms, specifically in culturally diverse markets, which will be invaluable to KVUE, the Austin community and TEGNA Media,” said Dave Lougee, president of TEGNA Media. “Kristie is a rising star in this industry and we are thrilled she is joining TEGNA and leading KVUE.”

Gonzales comes from WABC in New York where she was a promotion and digital brand manager.

Yesterday, we reported on the appointment of Brian Cliffe at TEGNA’s Portland, Maine station WCSH.

“Jim, Kristie and Brian are forward-thinking leaders with a deep passion for reinventing journalism in the digital age,” said Dave Lougee, president of TEGNA Media. “They will bring an audience-first, digital mindset to their new positions and will use strategic campaigns across platforms to grow audiences and better serve their communities.”

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