Raleigh, N.C. - Jim Hefner has been appointed the new vice president and general manager of WRAL-TV/DT, announced Jim Goodmon, President and CEO of parent company Capitol Broadcasting Company, Inc. The appointment is effective March 4. Hefner, 51, has been president and general manager of WTAE-TV, the ABC affiliate in Pittsburgh, since 1987.

Jim Hefner

A native North Carolinian, Hefner began his broadcast career at WRAL in 1977, first as a producer, and then as assistant news director. He was news director at WRAL-TV between 1982-83. Jim has also been news director at WFMY-TV in Greensboro and KDKA-TV in Pittsburgh.

"Jim is an experienced general manager with a strong news background who understands and supports Capitol Broadcasting's concept of local broadcasting. I'm very pleased to be welcoming Jim back home," said Goodmon.

Born in Granite Falls, outside Hickory, N.C., Hefner attended high school in Franklinton. Hefner has an undergraduate degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and a master's degree from Duquesne University in Pittsburgh. Jim and his wife, Marty, have six children.

Hefner commented, "WRAL-TV and the Raleigh area are very special to me and my family. We have deep roots in North Carolina and I'm really looking forward to working at what I consider to be the finest television station in America."

Hefner will be replacing Tom Allen, the current Senior VP of Broadcasting and WRAL-TV General Manager, who announced Jan. 2nd he would be leaving the company. Allen and his wife, Patti, are moving to their home in Montana and will be criss-crossing the country in their 38-foot home-on-wheels producing documentaries through his wife's video production business.

"Tom lead WRAL quite successfully through a very challenging time in broadcasting. From creating the country's most popular local television station web site to pioneering the first all High Definition TV newsroom, Tom was a critical force in making it happen, and I'm grateful for his leadership, " said Goodmon. Allen departs WRAL in March.