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KUTV Channel 2 news director Steve Charlier, who led the station through its transition to a new downtown Salt Lake City office during his four-year tenure, has resigned to take a position running two television news stations in Sacramento, Calif.

Charlier will be the news director for two Viacom-owned television stations there, the UPN affiliate KMAX and the city's CBS station, KOVR. Viacom also owns KUTV.

"It's nearly double the [responsibility]. It's a fantastic opportunity," Charlier said Friday.

Tanya Vea, KUTV's current assistant news director, will replace Charlier as head of Channel 2's news division. Vea joined the station nine years ago as an intern for the sports department and for reporter Rod Decker.

"I've worked with many of these people for years, and they are truly the hardest working staff in the business," Vea said in a statement. "Steve Charlier helped lay an incredible foundation, and I look forward to working with everyone at KUTV as we build upon that while keeping the same emphasis and commitment to quality journalism."

In 2003, KUTV left West Valley City for new offices and a studio in the new Wells Fargo Center on Main Street, a move that cost $5.8 million.

During Charlier's years at KUTV, viewership for the station's Monday through Friday 10 p.m. newscast with Michelle King and Mark Koelbel increased from about an 8.5 rating to a 14.2 rating last May (Ratings refer to the percentage of Utah's 800,000 television households watching a particular program.)

"I'm extremely proud of the job the entire staff has done," Charlier said. "We have been able to move to the Main Street studios, and we taught Utah what 'Fresh Air' is, and they like the product."

Before becoming assistant news director, Vea produced the morning, afternoon and 10 p.m. newscasts, then was executive producer for the daytime news division.

"I sat her down and asked her, 'What do you want to do when you grow up?' and she said, 'News director,' and from that point on we started developing her path," said KUTV general manager David Phillips.

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The Tribune maintains a news-sharing partnership with KUTV Channel 2 News.