Crown Media Programming Executive Michelle Vicary Departing Company

Hallmark Channel's Michelle Vicary
(Image credit: Hallmark Channel)

Longtime Crown Media programming and production executive Michelle Vicary will leave her position at the beginning of June, the network said Monday.

Vicary has served as executive VP of programming for Crown Media Networks since 2011, overseeing production and original programming for all of Crown Media’s platforms, including Hallmark Channel, according to the company. She was instrumental in developing such Hallmark scripted series as When Calls the Heart, Good Witch and Chesapeake Shores.

Crown Media has named Randy Pope, senior VP of programming and development, and Darren Melameth, senior VP, programming and content strategy, as interim co-leads while searching for a replacement, said Crown Media Family Networks CEO Wonya Lucas.

“We thank Michelle for her contributions to the growth and success of our networks and for helping to bring the quintessential Hallmark brand to life,” Lucas said in a statement. “We appreciate the passion and effort she has  brought to our team and to the company.”

Crown Media earlier this month named veteran programming executive Toni Judkins as its senior VP, programming and development for Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Movies & Mysteries.

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R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.