Koahnic names Charlie Perry general manager of media

Koahnic Broadcast Corporation appointed Charlie Perry as general manager of media, giving the Alaska-based Indigenous media organization a new lead over content, journalism, production, distribution and audience growth. The move is part of Koahnic’s Survive to Thrive plan and Koahnic 2030 transformation aimed at stronger digital reach and long-term financial sustainability.

Why it matters: - Koahnic Broadcast Corporation is putting a senior leader in charge of media strategy as the organization tries to grow audience, expand distribution and strengthen revenue. - The appointment is part of a broader transformation plan focused on Native and Indigenous journalism, storytelling, language, arts and culture. - Koahnic is tying audience growth to long-term financial independence, not just content expansion.

What happened: - Koahnic Broadcast Corporation appointed Charlie Perry as general manager of media. - The role covers national media strategy across content, journalism, production, distribution and audience growth. - The announcement was made Oct. 8, 2026, in Anchorage, Alaska. - Koahnic said the appointment advances its Survive to Thrive strategic plan and Koahnic 2030 initiative.

The details: - Koahnic’s Survive to Thrive plan sets three priorities: financial sustainability with growth, organizational excellence and national brand leadership for Native and Indigenous content. - The plan calls for investment in people, technology, marketing, audience development, cross-platform content and new revenue strategies. - Koahnic 2030 is designed to strengthen the organization’s digital-forward presence. - The initiative also aims to expand the reach and impact of Koahnic programming. - Koahnic 2030 is intended to preserve and advance Native journalism, storytelling, language, arts and culture. - The initiative is also meant to build greater long-term financial independence. - President and CEO Jaclyn Sallee said Koahnic has been preparing for the next chapter of Indigenous media for several years. - Sallee said the organization needs to plan its content and audience strategy together. - Perry has more than a decade of experience in Indigenous media, public media, content production and digital strategy. - Perry is a citizen of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. - Perry founded Charlie Perry Productions. - Perry is the creator and executive producer of Spirit Plate, a PBS Food series focused on Indigenous food sovereignty, culture and community leadership. - Perry previously served as director of programming and national narrative strategy for Vision Maker Media. - Vision Maker Media served more than 100 public television stations. - Perry also has experience with First Nations Experience. - In the new role, Perry will oversee coordination across Koahnic’s media portfolio, teams and platforms. - Perry will also look for strategic, mission-aligned opportunities that support sustainability. - Koahnic operates KNBA 90.3 FM, National Native News, Native America Calling and the Native Voice One network. - Those platforms serve Indigenous, rural and urban communities with journalism, cultural programming and storytelling. - Koahnic’s website is more information.

Between the lines: - Koahnic is signaling that the next phase of growth will be driven by tighter coordination between editorial, production, digital and revenue functions. - Perry’s background in Indigenous media and audience development suggests Koahnic wants a leader who can translate mission into reach and distribution. - The emphasis on sustainability shows the organization is treating audience growth as part of an operating model shift, not just a programming change.

What's next: - Perry will begin aligning Koahnic’s media teams and platforms around the organization’s national strategy. - Koahnic is expected to keep building out its digital and cross-platform distribution under the Koahnic 2030 framework. - The organization will continue pursuing new revenue strategies as part of its long-term sustainability plan.

The bottom line: - Koahnic is betting that a unified media leader can help turn its Native journalism and storytelling mission into broader reach and stronger financial footing.