Bumped Up at Gray *

Gray Television announced the promotion of Sandy Breland to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. Breland's exceptional talents and extensive experience in leading local news operations have earned her widespread recognition within Gray and the broadcasting industry as a whole. Her appointment to this crucial role highlights her ability to guide Gray's portfolio of television stations and drive continued growth and success.

With over 30 years of experience in local broadcasting, Breland has received numerous industry accolades and played key leadership roles at reputable stations throughout her career. Her expertise, combined with her exceptional track record, makes her the natural choice to take on the responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer at Gray Television.

Gray's Executive Chairman, Hilton H. Howell, expressed great confidence in Breland's abilities, stating, "Sandy has vast talents and experience in leading local news-focused operations that have earned her enormous respect within Gray and throughout our industry. She is the natural choice to lead Gray's unique portfolio of leading television stations, and we are thrilled to announce her promotion as our new chief operating officer."

Breland joined Gray Television in early 2019 as a Senior Vice President of local media following Gray's acquisition of Raycom Media, where she had held the position of Group Vice President. In her most recent role as Senior Managing Vice President, Breland demonstrated exceptional leadership in overseeing a diverse portfolio of television stations and local digital platforms in 16 markets. She also provided strategic guidance to Gray's Washington, D.C. news bureau, its national investigative unit, and news support services across all markets. Last year, Breland assumed additional responsibilities, taking charge of the recruitment process and overseeing Gray's new in-house news research and consulting operation. Moreover, she played a pivotal role in the success of InvestigateTV, a weekly program that reaches audiences across Gray's stations.

Throughout her career, Breland has been honored with prestigious awards for her exceptional work in the broadcasting industry. Notably, she received the Peabody and Edward R. Murrow awards for her outstanding planning and execution of Hurricane Katrina coverage during her time at WWL-New Orleans. Breland has also served on the board of directors for the Carole Kneeland Project for Responsible Journalism. Her dedication to public service earned her the RTNDF's First Amendment Award and the Society of Professional Journalists' Sigma Delta Chi Award.

As Sandy Breland steps into her new role as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Gray Television, she is poised to lead the company's unique portfolio of leading television stations to new heights. With her extensive industry knowledge and exceptional leadership skills, Breland is expected to drive innovation, strengthen Gray's position in the market, and continue to deliver high-quality news content to audiences across the nation.