Dr. Libby Haight O'Connell Appointed Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN

Dr. Libby Haight O'Connell Appointed Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN

NEW YORK, Feb. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- Dr. Libby Haight O'Connell has been appointed Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN. The announcement was made today by Dan Davids, President, The History Channel - USA.

"I am delighted to announce the promotion of Libby O'Connell to Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN," said Davids. "This appointment reflects her remarkable service to both The History Channel(R) and AETN since she joined the company in 1993. During this period of more than twelve years, Dr. O'Connell has made incalculable contributions to the educational and community outreach of our networks, as well as serving as a valued historical consultant on our programming. In her new role she will add government relations, as well, to her responsibilities."

In her new position as Chief Historian, Senior Vice President, Corporate Outreach, AETN, Dr. Libby Haight O'Connell continues in her role as historical adviser for The History Channel programming department. In addition, she develops and produces educational and community-based initiatives for A&E Television Networks, such as A&E Lives that Make a Difference(TM). Dr. O'Connell oversees onsite video production for A&E and The History Channel with organizations such as the Smithsonian and the National Park Service. In support of A&E's new series, Intervention, she is working with national groups dedicated to helping addicts and their family members as part of the A&E Lives that Make a Difference Campaign. Two of her educational initiatives, Save Our History(R) and the Biography Project for Schools, have received the prestigious Governor's Award from the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Dr. O'Connell and her staff also provide educational content for the websites of the AETN networks.

As Vice President, Historical Alliances and Historian-in-Residence, The History Channel(R) and Vice President, Community Marketing, A&E Networks, Dr. O'Connell was responsible for all of A&E Television Networks' affiliate community marketing and educational enhancement initiatives, and was the visionary and driving force behind one of the most valuable and productive initiatives of The History Channel(R) - the Save Our History(R) Project. She also served as historical adviser to The History Channel programming department. Prior to becoming Vice President, Historical Alliances and Historian-in-Residence, The History Channel, Dr. O'Connell was Director, Historical Alliances and Historian-in-Resident, and Director, Community Marketing Programs, A&E Network.

Dr. O'Connell received her M.A. and Ph.D. in history from the University of Virginia. Her doctoral work was in 17th-century history, dealing with the relationship between Great Britain and the American colonies. She has taught history at Long Island University and has served as president of Raynham Hall Museum on Long Island. Dr. O'Connell serves on the boards of several organizations, including the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History; the Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage; the Civil War Preservation Trust; and National History Day. She is also on the Council of Scholar Advisors for George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. Dr. O'Connell resides in New York with her husband and children.

A&E Television Networks, a joint venture of The Hearst Corporation, ABC, Inc. and NBC, is an award-winning, international media company offering consumers a diverse communications environment ranging from television programming, to home videos/DVDs and music CDs, to Web sites, as well as supporting nationwide educational initiatives. AETN is comprised of A&E Network, The History Channel, The Biography Channel, The Military History Channel, The History Channel en espanol, Crime & Investigation Network, AETN International, and AETN Consumer Products. The A&E web site is located at http://www.aetv.com/, the Biography web site is located at http://www.biography.com/ and The History Channel web site is located at http://www.historychannel.com/.

Source: The History Channel

CONTACT: Kathie Gordon of The History Channel, +1-212-210-1320,
kathie.gordon@aetn.com

Web site: http://www.historychannel.com/
http://www.aetv.com/
http://www.biography.com/

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