Tegna Names Columbia WHAS Louisville GM

Tegna’s ABC affiliate WHAS Louisville, Ky., has promoted Lisa Columbia to president and general manager, effective immediately. In this role, she will be responsible for overseeing all facets of the station’s operations, including content, advertising sales, marketing and technical operations.

Columbia first joined WHAS in 2012 as local sales manager and was promoted to director of sales in 2017. Tegna says during her tenure, she has been responsible for fostering, leading, and developing a strong and creative sales culture designed to increase revenue and grow market share across all platforms.

Columbia was selected as WHAS Employee of the Year in 2015.

Prior to WHAS, Columbia was general and local sales manager at WTVQ, the ABC affiliate in Lexington, Ky.

“Lisa’s passion and enthusiasm for her work shows every day in the results she has delivered to our clients,” said Lynn Beall, EVP and COO, media operations, Tegna. “Lisa and her team have been connecting Louisville consumers with businesses for years and she is the perfect leader to bring that same energy and effectiveness across the entire WHAS11 operation.”

Columbia graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in communications. She currently serves on the board of directors of the WHAS11 Crusade for Children, an organization that raises money for agencies, schools, and hospitals to make life better for children with special needs.