The Seattle Storm today announced the promotion of Karen Bryant to the position of Chief Operating Officer of the franchise. In conjunction with Bryant’s new position, Storm Head Coach Anne Donovan has also been named the Director of Player Personnel for the team.

Donovan will add the position of Director of Player Personnel to her duties. Craig Jones/NBAE/Getty

“This change in our front office structure marks a new opportunity for Karen and Anne,” Sonics & Storm President and CEO Wally Walker said. “Now that we have a full-time coaching staff, the timing is right for Karen and Anne to assume all of the responsibilities of scouting, drafting and trading players for the continued growth of this team, which we feel will contend for a WNBA title.”

Bryant, who served as the Storm’s vice president for the past four years, has been with the team since June 18, 1999, 11 days after Seattle was selected as one of four WNBA expansion teams that joined the league in the summer of 2000. She continues to be responsible for overseeing all business operations for the Storm, including ticket sales, marketing, public relations and community relations.

“With this expanded role in the organization, I’m excited about this new opportunity to continue working alongside Anne in building the Storm as a cornerstone team in the WNBA,” Bryant said.

Donovan will assume full responsibility of player personnel decisions along with her two assistant coaches, Jessie Kenlaw and Jenny Boucek, both of whom are now on staff year-round.

“I am very pleased that the organization is demonstrating great confidence in my staff,” Donovan said. “Karen, Jessie, Jenny and I are excited about leading this team towards a WNBA title.”

Former Storm General Manager Billy McKinney, who hired Donovan to lead the team last year, will now devote his time to broadcasting, as he is the Sonics game analyst along with play-by-play announcer Kevin Calabro. McKinney will also continue as Executive Vice President for the Sonics & Storm while developing relationships with community businesses as a speaker and liaison.

“We want to thank Billy for all of his efforts on behalf of the Storm, particularly in assembling a high-caliber coaching staff and in supporting all of the current players,” Walker said.