KARE's Randy Shaver gets promotion (UPDATED)

Randy Shaver/photo courtesy of KARE

Patience has paid off for Randy Shaver. The longtime KARE personality, who's been passed over twice as one of the station's top co-anchors, finally got the job, which will team him up with Julie Nelson to read the 5 p.m., 6 p.m and 10 p.m. news.

"Obviously, I'm excited for a new challenge at KARE," Shaver said in the station's press release. "The great news for me is that I still get to do the 'Prep Sports Extra' in the fall, which I love, so it's kind of the best of both worlds for me right now."

Shaver has been with KARE for 28 years, working primarily out of the sports department. He was considered a leading contender for one of the main chairs when both Paul Magers and Frank Vascellaro departed.

Shaver replaces Mike Pomeranz who left the station in March to be a TV broadcaster for the San Diego Padres.

"This new team underscores KARE 11's home-grown approach to sharing news and information," said KARE general manager John Remes. "Julie's experience and leadership is a perfect pairing with Randy's news know-how and community commitment."

Shortly after the original posting, I talked to Shaver by phone. Here are excerpts from our conversation:

Q: What does it feel like to finally get a job you've wanted for so long?

A: Actually, I wanted it after Paul (Magers) left, but I didn't really want it when Frank (Vascellaro) left. They are already made a decision to go with Mike (Pomeranz) and I figured it was too late to be worried about it. Right now, it's nice to have a different challenge after doing sports for 29 years. It's nice to have a different routine and have different responsibilities. Maybe I'm more ready for it than I was eight years ago.

Q: How so? What skill sets do you have now that you didn't have then?

A: I guess I'm more comfortable with everything. I can be more of a leader in the newsroom. I've been there so long that my current boss used to be intern in sports.