Willes Takes Over KSL Broadcast Group

Bob Johnson departs Latter Day Saints' media wing

By Michael Malone -- Broadcasting & Cable, 4/19/2010 4:46:16 PM

Deseret Management Corporation President/CEO Mark Willes has been named CEO of KSL Broadcast Group, which includes KLS Salt Lake City and sister radio outlets. He succeeds Bob Johnson, who leaves May 1 to become president/CEO of Deseret Mutual Benefits Administrators, which administers benefits for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

The Church also owns KSL.

Willes will also oversee Bonneville Communications, Bonneville Distribution and Bonneville Satellite Company.

Jeff Simpson, executive VP. and COO of Deseret Book Company, becomes KSL Executive VP and COO.

"All of us involved with the KSL Broadcast Group are pleased for the opportunity Bob Johnson has to lead Deseret Mutual," said Willes. "He has served for two decades in the management of KSL and related broadcast properties and has produced exceptional financial and non-financial results. His departure provides me the opportunity to become more closely associated with the remarkable employees that make the KSL Broadcast Group an extraordinary collection of broadcast assets."

KSL is a market-leading NBC affiliate.

Willes says he looks forward "to working with the KSL management team and employees to keep KSL in the forefront of that evolution, while continuing to provide to the Salt Lake and Utah markets the news of record and leading entertainment they expect from our brands."

Willes' prior experience includes serving as chairman/president/CEO of Times Mirror.

Deseret Management Corporation manages The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' commercial concerns.