DALLAS — He ranks at No. 1 for the second-consecutive year on RBR+TVBR‘s annual Top Local TV Leaders list. Who knew that his placement on top in fall 2022 would be his last?
Tom Ehlmann has retired as President/GM of NBC Universal Local‘s two Dallas-Fort Worth properties, reportedly accepting a buyout package in early December 2022.
His successor has been named, while NBCU Local has also revealed the new head of its NBC and Telemundo owned stations in Hartford, in the wake of Dianne Hannes’ retirement.
With the departure of Ehlmann from KXAS-5 and KXTX “Telemundo 39” in Dallas-Fort Worth, Tony Canales has stepped in to succeed him.
This opens up a hole in Houston, where he’s been President/GM of KTMD, the Telemundo O&O. Canales has also overseen the launch of KASA as the home of “Telemundo Nuevo México.”
Meanwhile in Connecticut, Hank Guerrero is rising from Vice President of Sales to President/GM for “NBC Connecticut,” WVIT. He will also oversee “Telemundo Connecticut,” WRDM.
Canales and Guerrero are already on the job and are responsible “for the strategic and operational leadership of the respective stations.” They will manage all operations including the news, digital, sales, marketing/promotions, community affairs and technology/operations departments and report to Valari Staab, Chairman of NBCUniversal Local. Canales and Guerrero will also work closely with Manuel Martinez, President of the Telemundo Station Group.
Staab said, “Tony and Hank are exceptional. They are collaborative and innovative, and represent the next generation of leaders in local broadcasting. I’m excited to see what each, along with their respective North Texas and Hartford teams, will do to serve our communities.”
Canales joined NBCUniversal in Houston in 2012. In October 2021, Canales’ role expanded to oversight of KASA.
“Tony and Hank bring with them new ideas and perspectives, and will build upon the great work that Tom and Diane have done for our stations,” Martinez added. “Both are really great to work with, and are very passionate about our work for our Spanish-speaking audiences.”
Before joining NBCUniversal, Canales led several TV stations in Texas including KYAZ in Houston, as well as, KWEX and KNIC in San Antonio. Before this, Canales was General Sales Manager of KWEX and KNIC, and National Sales Manager of KAKW and KBVO in Austin. Before launching his career in local broadcasting, Canales worked at an agency acquired by Global Hue Advertising as an Accounts Supervisor.
Before joining NBCUniversal, Guerrero worked at Beasley Media Group as Director of Interactive Sales and Senior Account Manager overseeing advertising, sponsorship and sports affiliation sales for the group’s radio stations in Miami, now owned by Audacy.
