Mike Carr steps in as the new president and general manager for ABC13 Houston, a transition announced by the station yesterday. He moves from California's ABC30 in Fresno, where he's also served as president and general manager. Carr brings with him a track record of strong leadership in news broadcasting as well as a commitment to directly addressing local and environmental issues shared between the two states. According to the Houston Chronicle, Carr stated, “California and Texas share some of the same environmental concerns like extreme heat, drought and wildfires, so I’ve worked closely with them over the years and admire their dedication to innovation, commitment to authentic storytelling, and focus on getting the facts and telling the stories that will matter most in viewers’ lives. Together, I know we will continue ABC13’s dominance on both broadcast and digital platforms while identifying new and exciting opportunities.”
Carr's reputation for competently leading a news station to ratings success and quality content production precedes him, as noted by ABC Owned Television Stations president Chad Matthews. "He always steps up to the plate and has been a true asset to the broader stations team. I know his passion and enthusiasm for delivering best-in-class news experiences, as well as his laser-focused, thoughtful and strategic approach to growth and ratings success will be a huge asset at KTRK," said Matthews in a statement obtained by the Chron. The appointment fills a crucial leadership gap left by Wendy Granato, who moved to ABC 7 Los Angeles in July. Carr is to fully step into a landscape shaped by recent layoffs at ABC 13, prompted by cuts within Disney Entertainment Television.
Apart from helming ABC30 as president and general manager, Carr also co-leads the ABC Owned Television Stations Race and Culture team and is recognized as a member of the National Association of Black Journalists. He is an alumnus of California State University, Fresno, where he earned a bachelor's degree in mass communication and journalism. His career trajectory at ABC30 is one marked by advancement, having ascended from an intern to roles including news director, and even tackling responsibilities at newsrooms in San Francisco and Sacramento.
Carr's expertise is expected to synergize with the renowned ABC13 team to maintain its dominance in broadcasting as well as deepen its digital footprint.
