The fourth general manager at WIVB Buffalo, N.Y., in five years has one thing on his resume that is eye-opening. Joe Abouzeid is a journalist school alumnus and former news director in Providence, R.I., when most general managers come from the sales or business side. He will be busy right away. The CBS affiliate needs a new news director after the firing of Lisa Polster, a new morning co-anchor after Melanie Orlins left in late May, a new Call for Action reporter after the retirement of Al Vaughters. He also eventually will need a new primary anchor team since Jacquie Walker and Don Postles can’t go on forever.
The station group taps Mark Danielson, Joe Abouzeid and Judson Beck to lead six stations in the four markets.
