NATION

CBS Inc., New York, announced the resignation of William Lilley III as senior vice president of corporate affairs and immediately appointed David C. Fuchs, a 33-year veteran of the broadcasting company, as his successor.

No specific reason was given for Lilley’s departure, but the company said the 48-year-old executive would make an announcement later this week regarding his plans. As recently as two days ago, the trade publication Variety said that Lilley denied reports that he would leave CBS.

Lilley, a former Yale professor who served in two government posts during the Ford Administration, joined CBS in 1980. In 1982, he was promoted to the corporate affairs job and served on a seven-member managing committee set up by CBS Chairman Thomas H. Wyman.

Fuchs will take Lilley’s place on the management committee, the company said. Since joining CBS in 1953, the 58-year-old Fuchs has ranged from radio to sales to CBS News, where he has served as senior vice president since 1985.

Sources inside and outside CBS applauded the appointment, predicting that it could ease tensions between the corporate and broadcasting staffs.

George Schweitzer, vice president of communications of CBS Broadcast Group, described Fuchs as “popular and trusted by his colleagues.”