KFVS names new general manager, vice president

Tim Ingram, a longtime television businessman who grew up watching KFVS12, will be the new vice president and general manager of the local station, the company has announced.

Ingram officially began his duties Thursday and replaces Mike Smythe, who recently retired from the station after 11 years as general manager.

Ingram is the general manager for Raycom Media station KAIT, the ABC affiliate in Jonesboro, Ark., and he will serve in both roles until a replacement is found in Jonesboro.

Tim Ingram

Ingram's expertise, at least earlier in his career, is in the production side of the operation. He has been in town for the past week getting familiar with the Cape Girardeau community.

Ingram grew up watching KFVS12 in Rector, Ark., but he has familial ties all across the KFVS12 viewership area. He said his great-grandmother is buried in a cemetery in Anna, Ill., and he has ancestry in several counties in Southern Illinois and western Kentucky.

Ingram has served as general manager at the Jonesboro operation for four years. Before that, he was the director of marketing and operations at KLTV, a Raycom Media station in Tyler, Texas. He also worked as a senior producer/director at WAVE-TV in Louisville, according to the news release. He began his career in the production department in Jonesboro. He said in an interview one of his professional highlights is directing coverage of the Kentucky Derby. Ingram has a bachelor of science degree in radio and television from Arkansas State University in Jonesboro.

He began his career in the production department at KAIT.

Ingram said following Smythe is a "huge undertaking" and considers him a "legend" in the company and the industry.

He said he admires Smythe and the tradition and success of KFVS12 over the years dating back to the company's inception. He said he'll probably make some changes but will "stay between the ditches. They won't be crazy changes where people will wonder, 'What in the world is this guy doing?'"

Ingram said he will work to improve the station a little bit every day and wants greatness to be the goal for everyone at the station.

He said he is excited about joining the community in Cape Girardeau and raising his family here. He and his wife, Rhonda, have two children. He said he's had his eye on Cape Girardeau for a long time.

"We're coming here to raise a family," he said.

Leon Long, group vice president for Raycom Media said in a news release that Ingram brings proven leadership to KFVS12 and WQWQ, a CW and MeTV Network affiliate. He said Ingram "has a clear understanding of the responsibilities that these stations have in serving the Heartland."

bmiller@semissourian.com

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310 Broadway, Cape Girardeau, MO