CBS News Inc. has named veteran Susan Zirinsky as president, effective March, a Jan. 6 CBS Corp. statement said.

She will replace David Rhodes, who will step down after eight years in the role. Rhodes will stay on as a senior adviser, according to the company.

Zirinsky, most recently a senior executive producer of "48 Hours," will report to CBS Corp.'s President and Acting CEO Joe Ianniello.

She began her career at CBS News in 1972 in the Washington bureau, and has produced several breaking news specials and documentaries for the company.