National Geographic Channels US Appoints New President

WASHINGTON D.C.: Howard T. Owens has been named the president of National Geographic Channels US, succeeding Steve Schiffman.

Owens was most recently the founding partner and managing director at Reveille, with the responsibility of reality and scripted television, digital and branding, production, legal and finance. In his new role he will work closely with David Lyle, the CEO of National Geographic Channels US and global programming, on the overall supervision of the domestic channels 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, working on the strategic business efforts of the networks’ ad sales and affiliate teams.

In addition to Owens, recent new hires and promotions at the company include Courteney Monroe, who was appointed to the newly created position of chief marketing officer for the U.S. channels; Michael Cascio, who has been elevated to executive VP of programming for National Geographic Channel US; and Chris Albert, who was promoted to senior VP of communications worldwide and talent relations.

“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,” said Lyle. “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 is unmatched in this business, and is just what we need to drive our networks forward.”