Joan Barrett Named GM Of KDVR-KWGN

Tribune Broadcasting today appointed Joan Barrett VP-GM of its duopoly of KDVR (Fox) and KWGN (CW) in Denver (DMA 17). She succeeds Peter Maroney who retired in June 2015.

Barrett will oversee all aspects of the station, including strategic planning and day-to-day operations. Barrett is expected to join the company later this month and will report to Kathy Clements, chief operations officer of Tribune Broadcasting.

Barrett comes to KDVR-KWGN from Sunflower Broadcasting, owned by Schurz Communications, where she was president-GM, overseeing a group of six television stations in Kansas, including KWCH, KSCW, KBSL, KBSH, KBSD, KDCU (JSA/SSA) and two digital channels.

While in Wichita, she served as news director for KWCH in 2002 for 18 months before being promoted to general manager. During her 11-year tenure as GM, Barrett negotiated the purchase of KSCW from Banks Broadcasting in 2007, giving SBI two full-power television stations in the Wichita metro area.

Barrett also negotiated with and assisted Entravision Communications in the launch of the first full-power Spanish-language television station in Kansas, KDCU Wichita. Within a year of the launch, she led the creation of the market’s first Spanish-language local newscast. Barrett was also instrumental in the launch of the successful high school sports website, CatchitKansas.com, and its associated magazine.

Barrett is a past chairman of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters and she is a founder, current board member and trainer for The Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism. The SBI news team received three National Edward R. Murrow awards during her tenure.

“I am proud of all we have accomplished at SBI and now I am looking forward to joining Tribune Broadcasting,” said Barrett. “The combined strength of KDVR and KWGN uniquely positions us in the Denver market. I am looking forward to optimizing our strength to maximize our service to our viewers and customers in Colorado.”

Barrett graduated from Kansas State University and is working on an MBA from Friends University.