Young Broadcasting Inc. has promoted long-time KELO Sioux Falls, S.D., executive Jay Huizenga to president and general manager as he's about to complete his 27th year in broadcasting at the CBS affiliate.

Huizenga's promotion comes less than one year after the company named him station manager. The appointment, which is effective immediately, was announced today by Deborah McDermott, president of Young Broadcasting Inc.

Said McDermott: “I am personally very proud to announce this well-deserved promotion. We've enjoyed watching Jay's continued growth as he has increasingly taken on more and more responsibility over the years at KELO-TV.”

McDermott added, “During this nearly three-decade period, he has time and again proven his skill at developing successful business strategies for the station and motivating staffers, while concurrently making sure KELOLAND served the multiple needs of its loyal viewers.”

Huizenga takes over in his new expanded roles from Gwen Kinsey, who last year was named president and general manager of Young Broadcasting's WATE Knoxville, Tenn.

Prior to becoming station manager, Huizenga had been the station's general sales manager since 1990.

Having joined the station in 1980, he has also served as local account executive and business development manager.

From 2004 to 2005, he was business development manager at KRON, the Young Broadcasting station in San Francisco.