Young Broadcasting Inc. has named Deborah A. McDermott president of the company, effective April 1. Currently the company's executive VP of operations, McDermott succeeds Ronald J. Kwasnick, YBI's president since 1986, who is retiring for personal reasons. McDermott also has been nominated for election to YBI's Board of Directors at YBI's annual stockholders meeting. Kwasnick, a director of the company since 1994, will not stand for re-election to the Board.

McDermott previously served as vice president and general manager of the company's WKRN-TV in Nashville.

In addition to her duties at YBI, McDermott is currently serving a two-year term as chair of the ABC Affiliates Association and is past president of the National Association of Television Program Executives.

New York, NY-based Young Broadcasting Inc. owns 11 television stations and the national television representation firm, Adam Young, Inc.