News director Neil Middleton has been promoted to general manager at Gray Television’s WYMT, the CBS-affiliate in Hazard, KY.

Middleton, who has been at WYMT since 2002, succeeds Ernestine Cornett, WYMT’s longtime general manager who retired earlier this month.

“Neil’s passion and commitment to serving WYMT viewers and advertisers makes him the perfect choice to be the next leader of WYMT,” Gray Television regional vice president Wayne Martin said in a statement.

Steve Hensley, who anchors the evening newscasts, will assume Middleton’s responsibility in the newsroom in his new role of assistant news director. He will continue to anchor the 4 and 6 p.m. newscasts, but will step down from the 11 p.m. newscast later this year.