ABC Owned Television Stations has announced the appointment of Chad Matthews as its new president, effective immediately.

He takes over the position vacated by Wendy McMahon, who exited the company last year.

Debra OConnell, who is president of Disney Media and Entertainment Distribution, Networks, has been managing the team directly with Matthews’ assistance since last April, The Variety reported.

Matthews was president and general manager of ABC7/WABC-TV-New York, where he had overall management responsibility for ABC7/WABC-TV and its ancillary businesses, including operational oversight of ‘Live With Kelly and Ryan’.

In his new role, Matthews will report directly to OConnell and have chief management responsibility for the eight ABC-owned television stations in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Houston, Raleigh-Durham, and Fresno.

Commenting on the appointment, OConnell said, “Chad is an exceptional leader who has a track record of success, always championing innovative content and storytelling, super-serving our viewers with programs that have a meaningful impact on the community overall, and achieving and maintaining the highest standards of operational excellence while driving enormous success across linear and digital platforms.”

Speaking on his new role Chad said, “I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to lead the best station group in the world! The great eight as I like to call it. The team members who make up the ABC Owned Stations are the best in the business. Their talents, innovation, perseverance, and flexibility are sources of constant inspiration. I am very much looking forward to working with them to further grow the business while continuing to find new ways to “super-serve” our viewers and communities to set the bar for local television.”