KSBI Appoints

Vince Orza as New President and CEO and

Jerry Hart as Vice President and Operations Manager

 

 

OKLAHOMA CITY, Nov. 1, 2010 -- KSBI, Channel 52 & Cox Channels 7 and 707, an Oklahoma-owned independent television station in Oklahoma City, announced today the appointments of  Vince Orza as President and CEO and Jerry Hart as Vice President and Operations Manager.

 

“Vince and Jerry have enjoyed successful track records in their respective careers and ventures,” commented Aubrey K. McClendon and Tom L. Ward, private investors in KSBI. “Their knowledge of the Oklahoma broadcast industry combined with their management and operations acumen will be invaluable to the station as we move forward.  We have all the confidence Vince and Jerry will make great strides to create interesting programming with broad appeal to Oklahomans across our state.”

 

 Orza is leaving his position as dean of the Meinders School of Business at Oklahoma City University for his new role with KSBI.  He became dean in July 2005 following 22 years as Chairman  & CEO of Eateries Inc., a company he founded.  Eateries, the parent company for Garfield’s Restaurant, Pepperoni Grill and Garcia’s Mexican Restaurants, grew into a 26 state chain of nationally recognized restaurants reaching from New York to California under Orza’s leadership.  During his career at Eateries, Orza was elected an OCU trustee and was subsequently asked to serve as dean of the Meinders School of Business.

 

In response to today’s announcement, Oklahoma City University President Robert Henry, commented, “At OCU we know about Vince Orza’s ability to communicate.  He will run an outstanding operation, presenting programming of the highest quality.  We will enjoy watching.”

 

Orza announced that Jerry Hart, longtime broadcast producer and operator in Oklahoma City, would join him at KSBI as the station’s vice president and operations manager.  Hart and Orza worked together at KOCO Channel 5 in Oklahoma City in the 1980’s.  Hart and his son Jay operate Hartland Productions, an Oklahoma City television and media production company, which will now be directed by Jay.

 

“Jerry and I are excited about the opportunity to reprogram KSBI.  Our goal is to create a true Oklahoma television station featuring Oklahomans from all walks of life to entertain and inform,” Orza said.  “As an independent station not affiliated with a network, KSBI has tremendous programming flexibility that allows us to consider all manner of creative programming ideas.   Our owners are Oklahomans, and they want KSBI to support Oklahoma by featuring interesting events across the state.   We will be providing Oklahoma entertainers, athletes and artists a vehicle to entertain and inform.    We intend to advance the conversation on relevant and significant issues in our state by offering insightful and informative programming where Oklahoma thinkers, creators, leaders, inventors and citizens can share their thoughts and ideas.  We will be asking Oklahomans to tell us what and who they want to see on their Oklahoma TV station.”

 

Hart noted, “Over the next weeks and months we hope to develop and produce new programming in keeping with our vision to create a station with a decidedly Oklahoma flavor.   The station’s strong production capabilities give us options to create an assortment of new programs ranging from cooking to sports, Oklahoma talent shows to late night variety programs.   Really, the opportunity is wide open.”

 

Orza and Hart started in their new positions today.

 

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Contact:  Brent Gooden at 405 715-3232 or 405 818-1900