John Sears, the former news director at WOFL-Fox 35, has been hired as the chief for CNN's new Gulf Coast bureau in New Orleans, CNN announced.

"John offers a breadth of leadership and management skills geared specifically for the day-to-day grind of a bureau such as CNN Gulf Coast," said CNN VP Jack Womack. "In addition, John, having managed CNN affiliates in the past, already boasts a solid knowledge of the daily and long-term newsgathering and production needs of CNN."

Said Sears: "My new role enables me to plan and execute editorial strategies at the top level of broadcast journalism. I am especially excited about the chance to serve as the Gulf Coast bureau's first chief and the opportunity to shape CNN's coverage in the area, particularly in the wake of Hurricane Katrina."

After he left Fox 35, Sears was spotted in the WESH-2 newsroom, reportedly helping New Orleans sister station WDSU with its Hurricane Katrina coverage when that station was running its news department of of O-Town.