New KETV General Manager Comes From California

Sarah Smith, a newcomer to the Hearst-Argyle Television group, will succeed Joel Vilmenay as president and general manager of KETV (Cox Channel 9).

Smith most recently worked as Vice President and General Manager of KRCR and KAEF, two stations in the Chico-Redding and Eureka, Calif., markets owned by BlueStone Television. BlueStone owns and operates 13 television stations in eight markets. It is headquartered in Wichita, Kan.

"Sarah will bring valuable experience and great energy to KETV," said David J. Barrett, president and chief executive officer of Hearst-Argyle Television. "The stations she managed in her most recent general manager role have flourished under her leadership, and her accomplishments over the past few years indicate her readiness to take on the wonderful opportunity to lead KETV."

According to a press release, under Smith's tenure, KRCR became the local ratings leader while KAEF substantially expanded its audience.

Smith has also worked for the Belo Television Group as general sales manager for KVUE in Austin and as national sales manager for WFAA in Dallas and KXTV in Sacramento. She also was local sales manager for LIN Television's WISH in Indianapolis and began her career as an account executive for Belo-owned KOTV in Tulsa.

Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Illinois.

Vilmenay had served as president and general manager of KETV since 2003. Last week, he was appointed president and general manager of WDSU, Hearst-Argyle's NBC affiliate in New Orleans.