Deborah Collura Named KOVR-KMAX Sacramento GM

Veteran local media executive Deborah Collura has been named vice president and general manager of CBS News and Stations’ local businesses in Sacramento, Calif., that comprise KOVR (CBS), KMAX (CW), the CBS News Sacramento streaming channel and CBSSacramento.com. Collura will assume her new role on Monday, Jan. 31.

Collura is succeeding Justin Draper following Draper’s October 2021 appointment as general manager of the company’s local businesses in Boston.

Collura’s new role represents a return to Sacramento, where she previously spent five years as the assistant news director at KCRA from 1986 to 1991. She most recently was VP-GM of WGCL Atlanta.

“Deborah is joining us with a well-earned reputation as a dynamic and innovative leader that has been established over the course of her nearly 40-year career in local media,” said Wendy McMahon, president and co-head, CBS News and Stations. “We look forward to having her build on the solid foundation that has been put in place by Justin and the rest of our team in Sacramento, as we continue to deepen our relationships with the communities we are privileged to serve, play on the leading edges of innovation with the creation of compelling local news content, and promote a positive workplace environment for our colleagues.”

Prior to leading WGCL, Collura spent five years as president-GM of WCNC Charlotte, N.C. Under her leadership, WCNC won six regional Edward R. Murrow Awards, including the honors for overall excellence, social media and website.

“We are incredibly impressed with Deborah’s background and experience,” Jennifer Mitchell, president, CBS Stations, said. “She has made a positive impact at both of the stations where she has previously served as a general manager, driving ratings growth, recognizing the importance of digital and streaming, and passionately supporting her colleagues when they won regional Murrow Awards for overall excellence. We are excited to welcome her to our CBS News and Stations family and support her as she assumes leadership of our businesses in Sacramento.”

Collura’s local television experience also includes serving as a news director at stations in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Miami, Detroit and Houston.

Collura earned her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism from Northern Illinois University. She is also a graduate of the Kellogg Executive Leadership program at Northwestern University.