Staab Replaces Wallace As NBC O&O Chief

Valari Dobson Staab, general manager of ABC’s KGO San Francisco, will take charge of the NBC O&Os as president of NBC Local Media starting in June, NBC Universal announced today.

Staab is replacing John Wallace, who, in turn, is replacing John Eck as president of NBC Universal Media Works. Eck is leaving the company.

In addition to the TV stations, Staab will be responsible for NBCU’s local online properities and digital out-of-home division. She will also oversee the local lifestyle programming production company, LX.TV, and the In-house marketing and promotion company, Skycastle Entertainment.

“We’re thrilled to have an executive of Valari’s caliber join our Local Media group,” said Ted Harbert, chairman, NBC Broadcasting, whose portfolio includes the station group.

“Throughout her career in local television she’s had tremendous success growing the businesses she’s worked for and placing a premium on creating quality local news that resonates with viewers. She will do an outstanding job building on the great work of our Local Media group as we continue to invest in our stations and establish them as leaders in their markets.”

As president of Media Works, Wallace will be responsible for the company’s technology and studio operations, including IT, digital products and services, sourcing, environmental health and safety and crisis managemen. He will continue to run the stations until Staab comes on board in June.

Staab has been GM of KGO since 2002. Prior to that, she spent 15 years at ABC in positions of increasing responsibility, including GM of WTVD Raleigh-Durham, N.C.; GM of KFSN Fresno, Calif., and director of creative services at WPVI Philadelphia.