Mario Orellana Named KSAT News Director

Graham Media’s ABC affiliate KSAT San Antonio, Tex., has promoted Mario Orellana to news director. “I’m thrilled to be able to announce that Mario is taking over the reins of our News Department with the departure of our previous news director, Bernice Kearney,” said GM Ashley Parker.

Orellana started at KSAT as an unpaid intern in 1996 and was quickly hired as a sports producer once his internship ended. He then became a news editor, news producer, senior producer of Good Morning San Antonio, an executive producer and, most recently, assistant news director. “It is so gratifying to see someone of Mario’s stature grow within our company to earn this top spot,” Parker added.

Orellana said he’s “very excited to continue on his journey at KSAT12 and hopes to advance the news department into the new world of local television. I have lots of ideas and will listen to ideas from our entire staff on the way forward and the quickest way to get us there.”