Robert Furlong has been named vice president and general manager of Tribune’s WPMT, a Fox-affiliate in Harrisburg, PA.

“Bob has the talent and experience we need to achieve continued success in Harrisburg,” said Nils Larsen, Tribune Broadcasting’s CEO, in announcing the move. “He’s been successful at growing ratings and revenues against tough competition, he understands the importance of developing a strong online and mobile presence, and he knows the vital role that WPMT-TV plays in the community.”

Furlong comes to WPMT from VCI Solutions, a provider of software to the cable and broadcast TV industries, where he has served as CEO and president since last spring. Before joining VCI, Furlong held the VP-GM post at a handful of stations across the country, including KUTP in Phoenix and WCGV in Milwaukee.

“WPMT has been expanding news, growing ratings and constantly looking for new ways of serving its viewers, advertisers and the community,” Furlong said in a press release. “There is a lot of opportunity to build on this very solid foundation—-I am looking forward to leading this talented group of broadcasters.”

Tribune Co. announced a significant change to the management structure of its broadcasting operations this week, eliminating the president position held by Jerry Kersting for the past year and appointing Nils Larsen (right), the current executive chairman of broadcasting, to CEO of the division.

In announcing the shakeup, newly appointed Tribune CEO Eddy Hartenstein said that Larsen was “the right person to lead our broadcasting operations.” But Chicago media reporter Robert Feder points out that Larsen, whose resume is lacking any real experience in broadcasting, can hardly be considered an ideal candidate for the position outside of the fact that he is one of Sam Zell‘s longtime cronies.

“He’s someone who grew up in Sam’s environment and made a lot of money for him, but I don’t know how he sold himself as the right person to lead a group of television stations and a radio station,” a former colleague told Feder. “A lot of general managers who’ve been career broadcasters for 30 or 40 years must be scratching their heads.” Read more