Tribune Company (NYSE:TRB) today appointed John Manzi as vice president/general manager of KWBP-TV (WB32) in Portland, Ore., effective immediately. Manzi was previously the station’s general sales manager.

“John will be a terrific general manager for the station,” said Pat Mullen, Tribune Broadcasting president. “He has proven himself as a talented sales executive and strong leader, and we’re looking forward to his continued success.”

Manzi has served as general sales manager at KWBP since July 2003. Tribune acquired the WB station in Portland, the nation’s 23rd largest television market, in 2003.

Before joining KWBP, Manzi held management positions at Tribune’s KWGN-TV (WB2), Denver. He was local sales manager from 2000 to 2003, and national sales manager from 1999 to 2000.

“John’s strong sales and management experience and knowledge of KWBP will be invaluable as he begins his new role,” said John Reardon, Tribune Broadcasting group vice president. “We’re very pleased to be able to promote him to this position, and it’s another example of the deep management talent within our station group.”

Manzi started his media industry career in 1996 as an account executive for Telerep in New York. Before joining Tribune, he was national sales manager for WUPL-TV, New Orleans, from 1998 to 1999.

“I’m very excited to take on this new role,” Manzi said. “It’s a great opportunity to lead a talented management team and continue strengthening and growing KWBP.”

A native of New York, Manzi, 43, holds a bachelor’s degree from the United States Merchant Marine Academy in Kings Point, N.Y., and a master’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Va.