CNBC Names New President; Pamela Thomas-Graham Becomes Chairman

> Update: What would you ask Mark Hoffman? Submit questions via e-mail or the tip box for an interview later today…

Jeff Zucker has reached outside CNBC for a new president. WVIT president and GM Mark Hoffman, a former CNBC EP and VP, has been named president of the network, while chief Pamela Thomas-Graham has been bumped up to “Chairman,” NBC announced today.

Hoffman has served as chief of the Connecticut NBC affiliate since 2001. “As President of CNBC, Hoffman will undertake day-to-day responsibility for the network’s operations, programming and technology,” the P.R. says. The appointment begins immediately. “I couldn’t be more optimistic about the future of CNBC,” Hoffman said in a statement.

Perhaps more interestingly, Hoffman will report to both Jeff Zucker and Thomas-Graham. In her new role as Chairman, reporting to Bob Wright, Thomas-Graham “will be responsible for strategic planning for CNBC and for identifying major growth opportunities for the brand, including potential brand extensions. The appointment was made in recognition of the global scale, profitability and prominence of CNBC as the world leader in business news and its continued growth potential.”

“Pamela has driven profitable growth for CNBC in a very challenging economic environment,” Wright said in a statement. “I have been impressed by her intellect and leadership capabilities and look forward to working with her on a number of important new strategic opportunities. During her tenure, CNBC built impressively upon its global prominence as the most important and profitable worldwide business news television brand. I welcome her in her new role as Chairman.”