Steve Farber

Steve Farber, a 20-year veteran of Tribune Media broadcasting units and former acting general manager of WGN-Channel 9, has been hired as senior vice president of operations at Weigel Broadcasting, overseeing WCIU-Channel 26 and the Chicago-based company’s digital network operations.

Farber, who most recently was senior vice president of operations for Tribune Broadcasting, succeeds Bob Ramsey, who announced in January that he was stepping down as executive vice president of local media. Ramsey will continue as a consultant with Weigel Broadcasting.

On Tuesday, Norman Shapiro, chairman of Weigel Broadcasting, announced Farber’s appointment, effective April 20. “We are excited to welcome Steve to the Weigel family,” Shapiro said in a statement. “He brings a rich background in broadcast and digital operations which fit perfectly within our current and future business plans.”

Calling the Weigel team “very talented,” Farber said in a statement: "I look forward to building on Weigel's commitment to local audiences. . . . I share their enthusiasm and passion for the local and network television business."

Farber, who grew up in north suburban Highland Park and graduated from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., joined Tribune Co. in 1995 as a producer at CLTV. He moved up to news director and general manager of the cable news operation before he was named vice president of operations at WGN in 2010. After one year as acting general manager of WGN, Farber was appointed to oversee the company’s digital networks as senior vice president of operations in 2013.

“Steve is a perfect fit and I look forward to working with him on the transition,” Ramsey said.