Rivas – VP & GM @ Telemundo KVDA-TV In San Antonio.

Clara Rivas has been named Vice President and General Manager of Telemundo’s KVDA Ch. 60 in San Antonio by Ibra Morales, President, Telemundo Television Stations. Giovanni Mercia, has been tapped to replace her as Vice President and General Manager for Denver’s KMAS, Ch.24.

“Clara’s experience and leadership in the Hispanic community make her the perfect person to take our San Antonio station to new levels of success. She will be missed at KMAS, but Giovanni Mercia is a young executive who has great and long term experience with the Denver Hispanic community and we’re certain that he will do an excellent job in making KMAS an even stronger and competitive station in that market,” said Ibra.

Clara Rivas joined Telemundo’s KMAS in 1989 (back then an affiliate) after the sale of her very own FM radio station in Lamar, CO, which she built from the ground. She became KMAS’ General Manager in 1990, making her the first Latina in charge of a full power TV station in Denver. Under her management she has been able to introduce the first Health Fair for Latinos in Colorado and the Bilingual Student of the Month Scholarship program, securing funding for students pursuing a college education. She has also participated in community events such as: Cinco de Mayo, September 16, Back to School Fair, Summer of Reading; and sits on the Denver board of nonprofit organizations such as YMCA Central, Colorado I have A Dream Foundation, Denver Education and Business Coalition, and Museo de las Americas. Her commitment to the community is unquestionable as she actively participates and supports causes for young children, education, women health issues and immigration concerns facing the burgeoning Latino population.

“Working at KMAS has been one of the most rewarding experiences in my career. I will miss Denver but I am extremely excited with this new opportunity,” said Clara Rivas. “I look forward to working closely with the San Antonio community and build an even stronger bond between our station and our audience.”

Giovanni Mercia joined Telemundo last March as General Sales Manager for KMAS, bringing his invaluable comprehensive knowledge of the Latino Television market in Colorado. During the previous eight years, he had worked for the local Univision station where he served as local sales manager until his departure. Mercia came to the Unites States from Venezuela, where he was the General Sales Manager for 21 retail clothing stores and oversaw a budget of more than $5 million. He also worked for NCR Summa Systems as the Assistant to the Treasurer.

Giovanni says he’s “thrilled and honored to be handed the responsibility of leading KMAS. Clara’s leadership has been an invaluable and inspiring learning experience for me and I am devoted to continue her legacy of excellence and commitment to our employees and the Hispanic community.”