General manager at WRAL & Fox 50 leaves stations after 7 years. Who will replace him?
Local TV stations WRAL and Fox 50 have named a new interim general manager.
Heather Gray, the current station manager for WRAL, Fox 50 and WILM-TV, is the interim general manager. She steps into the role that Joel Davis will vacate soon, as he moves to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to head the NBC affiliate WCAU.
As interim general manager, Gray will oversee news, programming, sales, community initiatives and audience engagement.
“Heather is a dynamic and innovative leader who brings deep experience, strategic vision and a strong commitment to local journalism and community service,” Jimmy Goodmon, CEO and president of Capitol Broadcasting Company, WRAL’s parent company, said in a news release.
Davis has been general manager of the stations since 2018, when he was hired to replace Steve Hammel, who retired.
Here’s what to know about the new interim general manager.
Heather Gray to become new general manager at WRAL/Fox 50
Gray started at WRAL-TV in 2017 as creative services director. Before becoming station manager, a role in which she oversees audience development, community relations, programming and local production teams, she also held the leadership role of brand director, the press release announcing the new position says.
Her career in journalism has spanned more than three decades. Previously, she worked at 12 News/KPNX, First Coast News in Jacksonville, Florida, KCRA-TV, Good Day Sacramento and KHSL-TV in Chico, California.
Gray has a bachelor’s degree in communications, media arts from California State University, Chico. She lives in Cary with her husband and two adult children.
Other recent changes at Triangle TV stations
- Gilbert Baez left WRAL in January after 17 years. The reporter was a fixture at the station, known for his role as the Fayetteville reporter.
- CBS 17’s news director, Ed Trauschke, retired from the station after seven years in December.
- Kevin Holden joined CBS 17 as the new sports director in December.
- CBS 17’s Deana Harley was promoted to be the new statewide capitol reporter, replacing Michael Hyland, who left the station in October.
- Leslie Nash is the new assistant news director at CBS 17, having been promoted from executive producer.
This story was originally published February 18, 2025 at 3:27 PM with the headline "General manager at WRAL & Fox 50 leaves stations after 7 years. Who will replace him?."
