TEGNA Inc. announced that Rick Rogala has been named president at WBNS, TEGNA?s CBS affiliate serving Columbus, Ohio, effective February 26, 2024. Rogala will be responsible for the station?s operations across all platforms, as well as community outreach efforts and driving results for advertisers. He will also have oversight for Sports Radio The Fan 97.1, ESPN 1460 Columbus and ONN Radio (Ohio News Network).

During his career, Rogala has been on the leading edge of media convergence, leading stations to record ratings and revenue, building three media facilities, launching innovative, new local programming, and creating a groupwide sales training program. Rogala joins WBNS from WATN and WLMT, TEGNA?s ABC and CW affiliates in Memphis, Tennessee. In partnership with the Memphis leadership team, Rogala built the WATN/ABC24 brand and culture from the ground up, propelling the organization to the position of fastest-growing news source in Memphis.

Under Rogala?s leadership, WATN received three Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in three years, the most by a Memphis station in three years and the first for WATN/ABC24 in seven years. Prior to WATN/WLMT, Rogala held senior level media leadership roles including senior vice president at Nexstar Media Group, where he was responsible for direct operations oversight of 12 markets and the creation and implementation of companywide sales training and revenue initiatives. Earlier in his career, Rogala was general manager at television stations in six markets, including Tampa, Indianapolis, Columbus, Cincinnati, Grand Rapids, and Little Rock.

Rogala is a graduate of Ohio University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications.