Fox Shuffles GMs, Names Regional Leadership for West Coast Stations

Fox Tv Stations (FTS) has promoted two station leaders as regional leaders throughout a number of markets, whereas considered one of its basic managers has introduced her retirement.KTTV Fox 11 basic supervisor Amber Eikel has been named senior vice chairman and regional basic supervisor of FTS’ California properties, together with Oakland’s KTVU Fox 2 and KICU Channel 36 (KTVU+) and KCOP Fox 11+ in Los Angeles.The present svp and gm of the Fox duopoly within the San Francisco market, Mellynda Hartel introduced her retirement immediately after being with Fox Tv Stations for 35 years. As well as, Michael Lewis has been elevated to senior vice chairman and regional basic supervisor, including oversight of Seattle’s KCPQ Fox 13 and KZJO Fox 13+ to his present obligations as svp and gm of the Fox-owned duopoly in Phoenix (KSAZ Fox 10 and KUTP Fox 10 Xtra). Each Eikel and Lewis will report back to Jack Abernethy, chief govt officer of FTS. “We wish to thank Mellynda for her exhausting work and dedication to FOX over the past 35 years, and congratulate her on a seasoned profession of success throughout many markets,” mentioned Abernethy. “Amber and Mike’s native information experience have led to constant high-quality outcomes throughout a number of stations and their management will carry continued development and innovation throughout all platforms as they usher within the new period in LA, San Francisco, Seattle, and Phoenix.”Eikel was not too long ago introduced as senior vice chairman and regional basic supervisor of FTS’s Los Angeles duopoly (KTTV FOX 11 and KCOP FOX 11+) along with her function as svp and gm of Seattle’s KCPQ Fox 13 and KZJO Fox 13+. She spent over a decade at KTVU/ KICU within the San Francisco Bay Space the place she held the roles of vp and information director, assistant information director, and managing editor. Eikel has additionally labored as govt producer at KIRO in Seattle and at KTNV in Las Vegas. She started her profession as a producer, govt producer, and interim information director for KMIR in Palm Springs, California.“Working intently with Mellynda and the completed group of KTVU journalists over the past decade has distinctly ready me to take the reins as I deeply perceive the San Francisco market and significance of those legacy stations to the communities they serve,” added Eikel.  Lewis has been with the Fox Tv Stations for over 20 years. Since December 2022, he has served as svp and gmof the Fox-owned duopoly in Phoenix, consisting of KSAZ Fox 10 and KUTP Fox 10 Xtra. Earlier than that, Lewis spent eleven years as senior vice chairman and basic supervisor of KTBC, the Fox-owned station in Austin. He’s additionally been the vp and gross sales supervisor at KRIV/KTXH, the Fox-owned duopoly in Houston, and earlier than that, served in the identical function at WHBQ in Memphis. Lewis was a neighborhood and nationwide gross sales supervisor at WTTG Fox 5 D.C.“I welcome the chance to develop my function at this firm with a duopoly that has a monitor file of success within the Seattle market and I stay up for working intently with their great group of journalists to construct upon that power,” Lewis mentioned, Mellynda Hartel has been with the Fox Tv Stations since 1990. Most not too long ago, she has served as svp and gm of KTVU Fox 2 and KICU Channel 36 KTVU+ since 2018. Hartel additionally spent practically 12 years on the Fox-owned duopoly in Phoenix, first as vp and basic gross sales supervisor, then vice chairman and director of gross sales. She’s additionally labored because the native gross sales supervisor for WFXT, the then-Fox-owned station in Boston, Massachusetts. Earlier than that, Hartel held the roles of nationwide gross sales supervisor, account govt, and gross sales assistant at WTTG Fox 5 DC. Earlier than becoming a member of FTS, she started her profession in broadcasting as a media assistant for Goldberg Marchesano.“It has been an honor to work for Jack and lead this proficient group, and after 35 years with FOX I’m able to move the baton to Amber, who I belief to proceed the custom of excellence,” mentioned Hartel.Michael Lewis Mellynda Hartel Amber Eikel