Two area media outlets will get new leaders in the weeks ahead as Warren Fiihr takes over as general manager and vice president of WSLS (Channel 10) on Nov. 27 and James Baum joins Blue Ridge Public Television as its president and chief executive officer starting Jan. 8.

Fiihr, who is returning to WSLS, has been general sales manager of WKRG-TV, Media General's CBS affiliate in Mobile, Ala., since May 2003, according to a station news release. He also worked in national and local sales manager positions with WSLS for five years.

Before joining Media General in 1998, he had sales and management positions at stations in Sioux Falls, S.D., including KSFY-TV, KTTW-TV and KSOO/KPAT radio.

Fiihr graduated from South Dakota State University with a bachelor of science degree in music merchandising and a minor in economics. He replaces Kathy Mohn, who left the station earlier this fall.

Baum's selection at Blue Ridge Public Television was ratified by the board of directors at its annual meeting on Nov. 8, the station announced.

Baum, who retired as a major after 26 years of service as an Army Reserve and National Guard officer, joins Blue Ridge from MontanaPBS, where he was the station's general manager. Previously he served as president and CEO at KETC-TV and V9 Studios in St. Louis, and at WLVT-TV/Lehigh Valley PBS in Bethlehem, Pa. He also was the founding general manager of KHIB-FM Public Radio at Southeastern Oklahoma State University in Durant, Okla. Baum has a bachelor of science degree in media technology from Southeastern Oklahoma State University.

He replaces Jack Neal, who left for a job at HoustonPBS earlier this year.

-- Marques G. Harper