David Friend was named Senior Vice President of Business News, CNBC in December 2002.  He is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the network's business day programming (5 a.m.- 7 p.m. ET).  Since his appointment, Friend was one of the creators of CNBC's first original primetime documentary, "The Big Heist:  How AOL Took Time Warner."

Prior to his current role, Friend-who has almost 25 years of broadcast journalism experience-was executive producer of CNBC business news responsible for overseeing all aspects of production and development of the network's 5:00 to 10:00 a.m. ET day-parts, which include " Wake Up Call" and "Squawk Box".

In addition, Friend developed and launched "Early Today" on the NBC Television Network.  He also was executive producer of the nationally syndicated "Wall Street Journal Report" and has executive produced several specials for CNBC.

Prior to joining CNBC, Friend was an executive producer at Warner Brothers for the nationally syndicated news magazine program "Extra."  In addition to being responsible for the program's editorial content, Friend is credited with its transformation from an entertainment magazine to an award winning nightly newsmagazine.

Prior to joining "Extra," Friend spent seven years at WABC-TV in New York where he held several key positions for "Eyewitness News" rising through the ranks from producer to executive producer to eventually assistant news director.  As assistant news director, Friend headed a 150-person news team and ran the day-to-day operations.

Friend began his career in television journalism at WPIX-TV in New York where he created the coverage of Macy's Fourth of July Fireworks Show. While at WPIX, Friend won an Emmy Award for producing New York's best newscast in 1980.

Friend holds a M.S. in journalism from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. in political science from Columbia College.