The Charlotte Sting promoted Kelly Chopus to vice president of business operations, it was announced today by Ed Tapscott, executive vice president and chief operating officer of the Charlotte Sting and Charlotte Bobcats. �Kelly is a proven leader whose passion for, and experience in, WNBA basketball is unparalleled,� said Tapscott. �I know Kelly will continue to build on the success the Sting has had both on and off the court since Bob Johnson purchased the team prior to last season.�

Chopus served as the director of ticket sales during the 2003 season and as a WNBA ticket sales consultant in Charlotte during the 2002 season. She takes over the Sting�s day to day business operations responsibilities from Steve Swetoha, Sting senior vice president of business operations, who will now focus solely on his duties as vice president of ticket sales and service for the Charlotte Bobcats.

The promotion of Chopus completes the new look of the Charlotte Sting, who recently promoted Trudi Lacey to general manager and head coach, revealed new colors of orange and blue and introduced a re-designed logo and re-launched team website.

�Working for this franchise is an incredible opportunity and I look forward to the challenges of this new role,� said Chopus. �The faith Ed Tapscott and Steve Swetoha have in me is very rewarding. The entire staff and I will look to build upon the past success of the Charlotte Sting.�

Prior to joining the Sting, Chopus served as an associate producer for the Salt Lake Organizing Committee, where she oversaw all event management at the Park City venue of the 2002 Winter Olympics. A resident of Utah for 14 years, Chopus spent one season as vice president of ticket sales for the WNBA�s Utah Starzz, served three years as director of the U.S. Ski Team Foundation and worked three years as director of development for the Utah AIDS Foundation. A graduate of Colby College, Chopus relocated to Charlotte this past year with her husband and three children.

The Charlotte Sting begin their eighth season of WNBA competition in the spring of 2004 at the Charlotte Coliseum. The Sting will compete at the Coliseum during the 2005 season as well, before moving to Charlotte�s new Uptown Arena for the 2006 season. For more information, visit the Sting online at www.charlottesting.com.