Nexstar Names Lisa Howfield VP-GM Of KLAS

Nexstar Broadcasting Group on Monday named Lisa Howfield VP-general manager of CBS affiliate KLAS Las Vegas (DMA 41) and its associated digital services, including Me-TV and Movies! subchannels and community Web portal LasVegasNow.com. The appointment is effective immediately and Howfield will report to Brian Jones, EVP/co-COO of Nexstar Broadcasting.

She replaces Emily Neilson who is retiring after 35 years at the station, including 12 years as general manager.

Howfield’s career in broadcast television and sales management spans over two decades and she brings a comprehensive background in local news production, programming, digital services, new business development, inventory control and regional sales to her new role. Prior to joining Nexstar, Howfield was with KSNV Las Vegas, ascending from her initial role to positions of increased responsibility as account executive, general sales manager and VP-GM before being promoted to president and chief operating officer of Intermountain West Communications. As COO she managed a staff of approximately 500 employees across nine stations until Sinclair Broadcast Group acquired the company in November 2014.

As GM of KSNV, Howfield launched new local news programming and community-focused content, while expanding the digital platforms to boost audience reach and engagement and created new revenue streams.

In addition, KSNV became an innovator in digital broadcasting as it was first station in the country to create a test for the nationwide transition to digital.

Commenting on the appointment, Brian Jones said: “Lisa has an impressive industry background, including over twenty years of broadcast sales and leadership experience serving the Las Vegas market. She is a highly respected leader whose exceptional service and community involvement is acknowledged by local viewers, advertisers, businesses and community organizations in Las Vegas and throughout the region.

“In addition to leading teams that delivered effective marketing solutions for local and national advertisers, she has a proven long-term record of exceeding economic goals by implementing innovative programming strategies and unique digital concepts while elevating the level of service provided to the local viewers and advertisers. Importantly, she experienced tremendous success in building a local news operation that challenged and achieved market leadership in key newscasts. Throughout her career she has demonstrated a results-oriented and entrepreneurial approach to the business of broadcasting and we are confident that her valuable management expertise, strong relationships and deep dedication to the local community will enhance the position of our broadcasting and digital media operations in Las Vegas.”

Howfield earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in business communications from Pepperdine University in Malibu, Calif. She was awarded the 2008 Broadcasting & Cable General Manager of the Year as well as the 2008 Working Mother’s Advocate Award. She is the co-author of Managing Electronic Media.

She serves as an executive board member of the Nevada Broadcasters Association, a board member of the Association for Women in Communications and is a member of Women in Film.