Knoxville, Tennessee – Crystal B. Washington has been promoted to senior vice president of external relations and vendor management at Scripps Networks Interactive.

Crystal B. Washington

In this role, Washington will be charged with the enhancement and management of the company’s relationship with key constituents and community partners to strengthen Scripps Networks position in the marketplace as well as ensure a diverse pool of vendor partners. The company owns and operates HGTV, DIY Network, Food Network, Cooking Channel, Travel Channel and Great American Country.

Washington, whose promotion is effective immediately, will report to Cynthia Gibson, executive vice president, chief legal officer and corporate secretary. She will continue to work out of the company’s Knoxville headquarters.

“Crystal Washington is the consummate relationship steward and partnership builder,” Gibson said. “She has an exceptional combination of intelligence, fortitude and grace. Her significant financial expertise allows her to structure complex relationships that bring a high-value return to all involved, and her experience building our employee talent and diversity programmes have made her highly regarded throughout the industry. She’s the ideal representation of Scripps Networks Interactive to our partners.”

Washington has held various roles within Scripps Networks and The E.W. Scripps Company, including overseeing the programme office of diversity, developing philanthropic and community relationships, and managing talent acquisition. Prior to Scripps Networks, she worked in the banking industry for 15 years where she held positions as a private client officer, team leader, sales manager, sales training manager, middle market lender and branch manager.

In 2014, Savoy Magazine named Washington one of the “Top 100 Most Influential Blacks in Corporate America.” She received the National Association for Multi-ethnicity in Communications (NAMIC) Luminary Award in 2012 and has been recognised by the Cincinnati YWCA as a Rising Star.

Washington is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati where she earned a bachelor’s degree in communications. She also holds a Master of Business Administration from Capital University. Washington is a graduate of Harvard Business School’s Executive Education Programme in conjunction with Cable & Telecommunications Association for Marketing (CTAM) and NAMIC’s Executive Leadership Programme from the Anderson School of Management at the University of California Los Angeles.