NBC veteran Frank Comerford who plays a key role in televising the St.Patrick’s Parade in New York has been named 2012 Grand Marshal of the parade IrishCentral.com has learned.

His name will be announced today. He is a member of the St.Patrick’s Parade committee.
 Frank Comerford , originally from Long Island is the Chief Revenue Officer and President of Commercial Operations for NBC Owned Television Stations.

  In this role, Comerford oversees all commercial efforts for the division’s 10 television stations, online properties and digital out-of-home division and is responsible for developing new partnerships and business ventures that align the group’s growth with the needs of its clients.

Comerford has worked in the television industry for more than 30 years, including over 15 years with NBC.  Before being promoted to his current role in April 2008, he was President and General Manager of NBC’s flagship station, WNBC-TV, beginning in 2002.  During his tenure he oversaw the station’s conversion to high definition, expanded its community partnerships and increased locally produced content.  Comerford was also instrumental in bringing LX.TV, a lifestyle program production company, to the NBC family.

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Prior to his role at WNBC, Comerford served as Executive Vice President of Sales and Marketing for the NBC-owned stations group from 1999 through 2002.  He joined NBC in 1994 and held various positions of increasing responsibility within the sales group, culminating with his 1996 promotion to Vice President of Sales for WNBC.  Prior to joining NBC, Frank was with WSBK-TV in Boston from 1986 until 1994, serving in several different sales management positions.  He began his career in the television industry in 1981 with Storer Television Sales in New York City.

Comerford is very active in the community and serves on many charitable boards, including the Lutheran Medical Center, the Association for a Better New York, the Executive Board of NYC & Company, the Archdiocese of New York Catholic Charity,  Xavier High School, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, The John A. Reisenbach Foundation and the Diocese of Brooklyn’s TVC.  He is also a member of the Executive Committee of the Television Advertising Bureau and is the immediate past Chairman of that organization’s Board.  He has been honored by several prestigious organizations, including CAPP, Abilities School, the Diocese of Brooklyn, the Friends of AHRC Autism Program and New Yorkers for Children.

Comerford holds a B.S. in business administration and finance from Georgetown University.  He resides in Brooklyn and Long Island with his wife, Maura, and their son.