LIN Makes Three Management Promotions

LIN Media today announced the promotions of John “Jay” Howell to VP-regional television; Patrick Wholey to president-GM of WPRI-WNAC Providence, R.I. (DMA 53); and Joseph Abouzeid to president-GM of WDTN-WBDT Dayton, Ohio (63).

Howell previously held the position of president-GM of WPRI-WNAC. In his new role as VP-regional television, he will report directly to Scott Blumenthal, LIN Media’s executive vice president, television, and oversee operations of the company’s owned or operated television stations in Providence; Springfield, Mass.; Norfolk, Va.; Buffalo, N.Y.; Dayton; Mason City, Iowa; and Topeka, Kan.

Howell launched his broadcasting career at WTOV Steubenville, Ohio, in 1989, serving as an account executive and then sales manager. In 1999, he was hired to be the general manager of KRBC Abilene, and KACB San Angelo, both Texas. Howell was appointed president-GM of WPRI-WNAC 2001.He served on the Fox Affiliate Board of Governors from 2005 to 2011. He received his bachelor’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University.

Prior to Wholey’s promotion as president-GM of WPRI-WNAC, he was general sales manager of the stations since 2006. A native of Rhode Island, he began his career in New York City after graduating from Stonehill College in 1994, working in advertising at Young & Rubicam ad agency, and later in sales and marketing at MTV Networks, the Hallmark Channel and CNBC. Wholey returned to his home state in 2002 as account executive at WPRI-WNAC, before being promoted to local sales manager and general sales manager. In his new role, Wholey will oversee the day-to-day operations of Providence’s CBS and Fox stations and a MyNetworkTV digital channel.

Prior to Abouzeid’s promotion to president-GM of WDTN-WBDT, he was news director of WPRI-WNAC. He launched his career at WHDH Boston, after studying journalism at Boston University. During his eight-year tenure at WHDH, he worked his way up from a newsroom intern to managing editor. In 2002, WPRI-WNAC hired Abouzeid as managing editor. He was promoted to assistant news director in 2004 and news director in 2005. In his new role, Abouzeid will oversee the day-to-day operations of Dayton’s NBC and CW stations.