FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

PBS North Carolina Names Jonathan Kappler as Its Chief Operating Officer

Kappler will oversee operational and administrative functions at one of the largest public media networks in the country.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, NC, 2/24/2026 — PBS North Carolina announces the appointment of Jonathan Kappler as its Chief Operating Officer. In this pivotal role, Kappler will strengthen operational alignment and support for the statewide network’s mission to provide transformational experiences and trusted content to all North Carolinians. As COO, he will manage a broad portfolio of operational functions, including oversight of PBS North Carolina’s broadcast engineering, facilities and legal affairs teams.

Additionally, Kappler will serve as PBS North Carolina’s primary organizational liaison with the UNC System Office on integrated functions such as information technology, human resources and finance. He will report to David Crabtree, PBS North Carolina’s Chief Executive Officer and General Manager.

“Jonathan brings a rare blend of operational rigor, strategic insight and commitment to public service,” said Crabtree. “As PBS North Carolina continues to grow its impact in an increasingly complex media environment, his leadership will be essential in ensuring we have the systems, structures and partnerships necessary to serve every corner of our state. We’re excited to welcome him to our team.”

Prior to joining PBS North Carolina, Kappler served as Deputy Secretary for External Affairs and Chief of Staff at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS). In that role, he advised senior leadership on statewide priorities, coordinated strategic initiatives and helped navigate a range of challenges impacting millions of North Carolinians, from the COVID-19 pandemic to the complex implementation of Medicaid expansion. His leadership spanned critical efforts to improve health outcomes, strengthen partnerships and drive organizational effectiveness across a large, multifaceted state agency.

Before his tenure at NCDHHS, Kappler served as Executive Director of the North Carolina FreeEnterprise Foundation, a nonprofit that provides nonpartisan analysis on economic and political issues to the state’s business community. He also held senior leadership roles with the UNC System Office, where he represented the 17-campus university system before the North Carolina General Assembly, federal agencies and other key stakeholders.

With Kappler’s steady leadership and deep commitment to public service, PBS North Carolina is positioned to meet the demands of regulatory compliance, fiscal responsibility and operational resilience well into the future.

About PBS North Carolina

As North Carolina’s statewide PBS network serving the country’s third largest public media market, PBS North Carolina educates, informs, entertains and inspires its audience on air, online and in person. Through its unique partnership of public investment and private support, the network includes in-person engagement, digital-first social and online content delivery and four over-the-air channels: PBS NC, the North Carolina Channel, Rootle 24/7 PBS KIDS channel and the Explorer Channel. Its transformational events and content spark curiosity and wonder for all North Carolinians. Additionally, PBS North Carolina serves as the backbone for North Carolina’s state emergency services. To learn more about PBS North Carolina, visit pbsnc.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

-PBS NC-

Media Contact
For press info and resources, email press@pbsnc.org.