Howard Owens is Nat Geo US president

MUMBAI: Howard T. Owens has been named National Geographic Channels president US, succeeding Steve Schiffman. The announcement was made by National Geographic Channels US and global programming CEO David Lyle.

Lyle also named Courteney Monroe to the newly created position of CMO for the US Channels. Michael Cascio has been elevated to executive VP, programming for National Geographic Channel US. Owens and Monroe will report to Lyle; Cascio to Owens.

Lyle said, "I am delighted to have superb executives like Howard, Courteney and Michael in these critical roles for our networks as we build on the success of our highest-rated summer in NGC‘s history. I have known Howard for more than a decade, and I am confident he is the right person at the right time to take our network into our next era. His leadership, creativity, passion and vision are unmatched in this business, and is just what we need to drive our networks forward."

Owens will work closely with CEO Lyle on the overall supervision of the domestic channels ? which include the National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo ? owned jointly by the Fox Networks Group and the National Geographic Society.

Owens will oversee the programming, development, communications, research and business affairs units at the U.S. networks as well as working closely on the strategic business efforts of the networks‘ ad sales and affiliate teams. Schiffman plans to stay at the network through a transition period.