Gray Names 6 More New General Managers

Gray Television today named several new general managers across its television station portfolio. These appointments follow Gray’s recent announcement of its promotion of several internal leaders into new leadership roles at certain of the television stations that Gray will acquire from Meredith Corp. All new general manager appointments will become effective at the closing of the Gray-Meredith transaction, which is expected to occur next month.

Jim McKernan

Pete Veto

Matt Moran

In Cleveland (DMA 19), Matt Moran becomes GM of WOIO (CBS) and WUAB (CW). Since 2018, he has been GM of WSAZ (NBC) and WQCW (CW) in Charleston-Huntington, W.Va., which he originally joined as general sales manager in 2013. Under Moran’s leadership as GM, these stations added 15 hours of news weekly, and WSAZ was awarded several Emmys, won a Regional Murrow Award, and was named 2019 Station of the Year by the West Virginia Broadcasters. Moran is a graduate of Ball State University and received an MBA from the University of Utah.

In Knoxville, Tenn. (DMA), Pete Veto becomes GM of WVLT (CBS) and WBNX (CW). He was the GM of WJRT (ABC) in Flint, Mich., from 2011 through Gray’s sale of the station in September 2021. He simultaneously also served as the GM of Gray’s WTVG (ABC) in Toledo, Ohio, between 2014 and 2018. Veto was an officer in the United States Army and holds degrees in accounting and business management.

In Omaha, Neb. (DMA 72), Jim McKernan becomes GM of WOWT (NBC). Earlier this year, he became the GM of WEEK (NBC-ABC) in Peoria, Ill., following an 11-year tenure as the GM of KWWL (ABC) in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. In addition to his role at KWWL, McKernan previously was regional VP for Quincy Media, overseeing television operations in Peoria, Rockford, Quincy, Illinois; Sioux City, Iowa; Bluefield, W.Va.; and Rochester, Minn., each of which markets was primarily affiliated with NBC. He previously was regional VP for Bonten Media Group as well as GM of KMTV Omaha, Neb.

Laura Serbon

Peter Russell

David Hughes

In Charleston-Huntington, W.Va. (DMA 76), David Hughes becomes GM of WSAZ (NBC) and WQCW (CW). He has been GM of Gray’s WVIR, the NBC affiliate in Charlottesville, Va., since 2019. Before his move to Charlottesville, Hughes was the news director at Gray’s WDBJ Roanoke, Va., and he previously worked in news at WFLA in Tampa, Fla.; WRAL Raleigh, N.C.; and WMAZ Macon, Ga.

In Peoria, Ill. (DMA 121), Peter Russell becomes GM of WEEK (NBC-ABC). He joined WEEK in 1985 as a photographer and reporter and several years later, transitioned into sales. Over the years, he has been promoted to local sales manager, general sales manager and station manager. Currently, Russell is WEEK’s station manager and general sales manager.

In Charlottesville, Va. (DMA 178), Laura Serbon becomes GM-/general sales manager of WVIR (NBC), where she currently holds the position of general sales manager. She joined Gray in 2013 as the regional and national sales manager for WBKO Bowling Green, Ky. Serbon’s career in television has taken her to many cities including Chicago; Oklahoma City; Nashville; and Madison, Wis.