Barry Leffler, president and general manager of WNCN (NBC 17), has purchased minority ownership of 1360 AM, WCHL radio in Chapel Hill. Leffler will also assume the role of CEO and managing partner with current majority owner Jim Heavner.

Leffler will eventually purchase the station in full from Heanver.

Leffler made the announcement to the staff of WNCN on Friday.

Leffler has been president and general manager of WNCN since 2005. Prior to joining WNCN, Leffler worked with NBC for 14 years in positions in Miami, London and New York.

"This is a major and, I think, historic move for Chapel Hill-Carrboro's radio station," said Heavner in a written statement. "It represents the culmination of a process to which I committed when we returned WCHL to the community in 2002 to provide for long term local ownership. It is impossible for me to imagine a more capable successor than Barry Leffler, who brings a lifetime of broadcast experience, personal leadership, creativity and commitment to WCHL and this community."

Leffler's last day at WNCN has not yet been determined. He told the staff of WNCN that he will likely work through most of October.

"I have been and continue to be so heartened and impressed by the work you all do every day that only a rare and wonderful opportunity could lure me away," Leffler wrote in an e-mail to the WNCN staff.