SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Veteran television stations executive and California native Jay Howell has been named Vice President and General Manager of KOVR-TV (CBS 13) and KMAX-TV (CW 31), the CBS-owned stations in Sacramento, it was announced today by Peter Dunn, President, CBS Television Stations. Howell is succeeding Kevin Walsh, who has moved to San Francisco to serve as President and General Manager of KPIX-TV and KBCW-TV, the CBS-owned duopoly in the Bay Area.

Howell, who has 18 years of experience as a general manager and station group executive, most recently served as Vice President of Broadcast Markets for Media General, where he oversaw the company’s station operations, including several CBS and CW affiliates, in 14 markets across the country. Prior to leaving Media General earlier this year when the sale of the company to Nexstar was finalized, Howell spent four years as a member of the CBS Affiliates Board.

“Jay loves local television, especially CBS and CW stations, and has a terrific track record of success, both in terms of growing ratings and revenue and also developing strong community connections everywhere he has been,” Dunn said. “It was great to have him serve as a valued CBS Television Network partner when he was a member of our affiliate board. Now, we look forward to welcoming him to our CBS Television Stations family, where he will work with our talented employees in Sacramento to build on our success in this key market.”

“I am excited to be coming home to California and being part of CBS’s terrific duopoly in Sacramento,” Howell said. “CBS 13 and CW 31 have great reputations and I look forward to working with my new teammates at the stations to strengthen the bonds we have with our viewers and advertising partners.”

Howell’s background also includes more than 13 years with LIN Media, most recently as Vice President, Television (2013-14), where he oversaw operations for 46 stations in 23 markets. Prior to that, he was a Regional Vice President, Television (2012-13), with responsibility for 13 stations in seven markets. He previously served 11 years as Vice President and General Manager of WPRI-TV (CBS) and WNAC-TV (Fox), which at the time were the LIN-owned stations serving Providence, Rhode Island and New Bedford, Massachusetts. He began his station management career as the general manager of KRBC-TV in Abilene, Texas and KACB-TV in San Angelo, Texas.

Howell, who was born in Palm Springs, California and grew up in nearby Palm Desert, graduated from Carnegie Mellon University with a degree in managerial economics and industrial management. He and his wife Lori are the parents of two children, John and Lilly.

*   *   *

Press Contact:

Mike Nelson               818-655-2156              mjnelson@cbs.com