“David is a 23-year radio veteran with experience both in secular and Christian radio, commercial and non-commercial radio as well as music- and talk-formatted stations,” said Dr. Paul Virts, senior vice president for media.

According to information from the station, Fitts became a Christian in 1990 and began managing his first Christian radio station in Spokane, Wash., in 1993. He also managed a cluster of three Christian stations in Seattle for four years. Most recently, he managed another cluster of five talk and music stations for another Christian broadcaster in Seattle for six years.

“I have watched the growth of KTIS over the years while working in other parts of the country,” Fitts said. “And I count it a privilege to be asked to provide leadership at the station. I look forward to working with the team of Christian broadcasting professionals at KTIS.”

Fitts said he feels there is a substantial foundation to work with in continuing to build the KTIS ministry.

“The leaders and team here have done a great job and we will be part of taking it to the next level,” Fitts said. “We will recruit a major market program director and a.m. co-host that will be instrumental in formulating and shaping the sound of the stations. It really is a very exciting time.”

According to Fitts, the market size and dynamics of the KTIS reach are similar to stations he’s managed in the past.

“I am blessed to be called to this market to help develop America’s number one non-commercial contemporary Christian music station,” he said.

Fitts and his wife Dina have two adult children and two teenagers. They are moving to the Twin Cities from Sarasota, Fla., where they have lived for the last 9 months.

KTIS FM and AM are owned by Northwestern College, which owns 16 radio stations in eight markets. The ministry also operates two satellite radio networks that serve about 200 radio outlets across the country with music and talk programming.


Chuck and John
In related news, former KTIS morning team Chuck Knapp and John Engen are back on the air together on BOB 106.1 FM, a local country station, from 5:30 to 9 a.m.

Knapp said the station is owned by two Christians who “enjoy hearing me weave in and out of country music with the Lord’s healing truth.”

Knapp said the BOB FM group currently runs seven stations in Africa, playing Christian music where they are allowed. The group hopes to build 30 stations in Africa and reach 100 million people.