Joel Vilmenay visited New Orleans as soon as and could not get sufficient.
He visited him frequently whereas residing in Washington, DC, New York Metropolis, Michigan, and elsewhere. He attended the bayou traditional. He attended the Essence Pageant. He got here to see him when a pal was attending a convention simply because his pal’s enterprise was cause to go to a spot he had come to like. He visited eight or 9 occasions earlier than being named basic supervisor of the WDSU in February 2007.
After nearly 15 years in Crescent Metropolis, Vilmenay is leaving.
LA Occasions: CBS hires basic supervisor for KCBS, KCAL in Los Angeles
He is making an enormous leap within the broadcasting world. He jumps from New Orleans, # 50 TV Market, to Los Angeles, # 2 TV Market. He leaves his workplace on Howard Avenue on the second ground for an enormous CBS gig for a second ground workplace on Radford Avenue in Studio Metropolis. Beginning Monday, he’ll turn out to be President and Normal Supervisor of CBS Information and tv networks in Los Angeles. These embody KCBS-TV Channel 2, KCAL-TV Channel 9, CBSN Los Angeles and CBSLA.com, the collectively operated web site of the broadcasters.
The Washington, DC native is already an enormous boss; Together with his transfer west, he can have greater than 3 times as many staff.
After I visited him a couple of days in the past, his workplace was nearly empty. Workplace partitions with New Orleans footage had been naked. A lot was packed and able to be shipped.
His final day at WDSU in NOLA, LA: Friday the fifteenth. His first day at CBS in LA: Monday.
As he leaves, he’s grateful to his employees and proud that their high quality work resulted in WDSU receiving the Louisiana Affiliation of Broadcasters Status Award for Channel of the Yr 2020. Vilmenay is a two-time winner of the Hearst Tv Better of Innovation award.
Former WDSU host Norman Robinson stated Vilmenay pushed him off his flip cellphone. “Joel has finished extra to enhance our know-how than some other GM,” he stated.
Vilmenay refers to a Chalmette station constructing that the WDSU shares with two different stations to make sure that clients and viewers are served in all weathers. It handed the Hurricane Ida take a look at, he stated.
Many coloured persons are joyful in regards to the transfer. Some are joyful for Vilmenay. Some are joyful for the CBS employees in LA. Everyone seems to be watching.
A number of months in the past, the Los Angeles Occasions printed a narrative alleging that the senior CBS tv station and information supervisor frequently displayed questionable conduct and inappropriate feedback with black individuals and girls, and even blocked the retention and attitudes of black journalists. The Nationwide Affiliation of Black Journalists (NABJ) known as for modifications. An impartial investigation was carried out. Heads rolled. In New York, Chicago, Los Angeles.
Vilmenay is aware of what occurred. He is aware of he will probably be within the highlight of justice and equity. He factors to WDSU information broadcasts and a number of other off-air individuals promoted to main jobs, together with basic supervisor. “Simply have a look at us,” he stated.
Dillard College President Walter Kimbrough and Xavier College President Reynald Verret have watched Vilmenay and respect his group service, assist, and advocacy.
WVUE signed a contract with Dillard to host a US Senate debate in its auditorium. No candidates named. The broadcaster would management this system. Then it was introduced that David Duke could be attending. Dillard was the location, however it was a WVUE occasion. The broadcaster didn’t deal with the issue. Vilmenay did, saying in a November 2016 editorial that WVUE owed Dillard an apology. “I will always remember that,” stated Kimbrough.
Vilmenay’s assist and steerage on the UNCF Mayor’s Masked Ball was outstanding. He directed and sponsored the ball for 5 years in a row. The occasion raised Dillard and Xavier thousands and thousands. Verret is “grateful for the creativeness and mind” that Vilmenay has offered via this occasion and different group efforts. He has helped NOCCA, Second Harvest, and the New Orleans Chamber of Commerce, amongst others. It is a part of the privilege of getting a station.
Tod Smith, President and Normal Supervisor of WWL, loved the skilled competitors. “I believe Joel made us all higher, all the time making an attempt to make New Orleans higher.”
Michael Smith, basic supervisor of Hyatt Regency New Orleans, stated Vilmenay hadn’t paid consideration; it simply does what must be finished. Consequently, he stated, not that many are conscious of his contributions.
“I believe that is the most important loss …” Smith stated, however added that we should always be careful for large issues to occur in LA and possibly elsewhere.
Keep tuned. There’s extra to this story.
Will Sutton: I used to be within the St. Aug band. Branson did not deserve the fitting. However the college nonetheless advantages.
Will Sutton: Harrah’s poor customer support triggers outrage and screams of racism. Do it higher.
Will Sutton: Mardi Gras 2022 could also be cool and moist, however it needs to be COVID-proof
Purchases made via hyperlinks on our web site can earn us an affiliate fee
