Howard T. Owens named president, National Geographic Channels U.S.

November 4, 2011 by Barry Walsh

Howard T. Owens

Changes are afoot at National Geographic Channels U.S., with Reveille founding partner Howard T. Owens appointed as president, replacing Steve Schiffman.

Owens will work closely with and report to David Lyle, chief executive officer, National Geographic Channels U.S. and Global Programming, and will oversee the programming, development, communications, research and business affairs units at the U.S. networks – National Geographic Channel, Nat Geo Wild and Nat Geo Mundo – while also working closely on the strategic business efforts of the networks’ ad sales and affiliate teams. Schiffman, with Nat Geo since 2002, will stay at the network through a transition period.

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

A founding partner of Reveille, Owens left the prodco last June. While there, he oversaw such series as 30 Days, The Biggest Loser, The Restaurant and Nashville Star, and served as sole managing director following the departure of Mark Koops in 2010. Prior to Reveille, Owens was an agent with William Morris Agency.

Courteney Monroe comes to Nat Geo U.S. Channels from HBO, where she was EVP, consumer marketing and digital platforms. She will join the company in January of 2012. She will also report to Lyle.

Michael Cascio, with NGC since 2004 when he joined as SVP, production, has been serving in the role of EVP, programming, for NGC U.S. the past few months, said Lyle, “and this announcement recognizes the leadership and talent he is already bringing to our network.” Cascio will report to Owens. Geoff Daniels remains senior vice president for Nat Geo Wild.

Elsewhere in the company, Chris Albert has been upped to SVP, communications worldwide and talent relations.

Tags: Courteney Monroe, David Lyle, Howard T. Owens, Michael Cascio, National Geographic Channels U.S.