Mario Orellana has been bumped up to KSAT 12 San Antonio news director in January 2023 from the assistant ND job and he definitely has the station knowledge for the new position.
“[I'm] very excited to continue on his journey at KSAT12 and hopes to advance the news department into the new world of local television," Orellana said in a statement on the station's website. "I have lots of ideas and will listen to ideas from our entire staff on the way forward and the quickest way to get us there."
He takes over for Bernice Kearney who followed former KSAT GM Phil Lane and joined Graham Media Group sister-station KPRC 2 Houston.
Orellana started his climb to the top news job as an intern back in 1996 (website announcement says 1996, but his bio says 1995). He was then hired on as a sports producer. That was followed by his ascendency to editor, producer, “Good Morning San Antonio” senior producer, executive producer and then assistant news director in 2019.
“It is so gratifying to see someone of Mario’s stature grow within our company to earn this top spot,” said KSAT12′s vice president/general manager Ashley Parker.
