• by David Goetzl  @dgoetzl, July 25, 2007

A top official at the Belo TV station operations has shifted to Gannett to head its local broadcast group. Dave Lougee will serve as president of Gannett's 23-station unit, replacing the retiring Roger Ogden. Lougee was executive vice president of media operations for Belo, where he oversaw 19 stations.

Craig Dubow, Gannett CEO, said "his experience running a strong affiliate operation and his knowledge of Gannett make him a perfect person to head up our broadcasting division."

Gannett is the eighth-largest station group, according to Broadcasting & Cable; Belo comes in at 12th.

Lougee said one of his goals will be to "help the organization continue to grow and evolve in this digital age."

Lougee, like Ogden, has experience on the news side, having served as news director of a Belo station in Seattle, as well as Gannett's Denver station from 1990 to 1996.