Evan Pappas will step down as general manager at KSBY next year and will be replaced by KVOA-TV Station Manager/News Director Kathleen Choal.

Pappas is moving to Collorado Springs to take a position as president and general manager of KOAA-TV, a sister station of the NBC affiliate from Cordillera Communications. 

After three years as general manager of KSBY, Pappas replace retiring KOAA-TV General Manager David Whitaker in April 2011, when Choal will take the general manager position at KSBY.

“I am pleased Evan has accepted this appointment and confident he will continue the long tradition of success established by David Whitaker and his team at KOAA-TV,” said Terry Hurley, President of Cordillera.

Prior to becoming general manager at KSBY, Pappas was general sales manager at Cordillera’s KVOA-TV, the NBC affiliate in Tucson, AZ.  Pappas joined KVOA in 2003 after holding management positions in the cable and rep industries.

“I am very grateful to be given this opportunity at KOAA,” Pappas said. “Their market leadership and sense of community is exceptional. I feel very fortunate to be able to work with such talented and committed professionals and carrying on the connections that Dave Whitaker and his team have built.”

Choal joined KVOA-TV in 2005 as news director and was appointed station manager in 2009. Prior to joining KVOA, Choal held news management positions with Meredith, Post Newsweek and CBS.

“I am grateful for the wonderful experiences I’ve had at KVOA-TV,” Choal said. “I look forward to the next chapter in my career with Cordillera. KSBY-TV is a dominant station with a hard-working and professional team. 

Choal began her career at KDLH-TV in Duluth, MN in 1992, and is a graduate of University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire.