In a surprise announcement today, Rogers Media revealed it has hired former CTV exec Rick Brace to replace departing president Keith Pelley.

Brace was formerly president at CTV, announcing his retirement from the company in November 2013. Since then, he has been in consulting roles in the industry and acted as the chair of MuchFACT.

Pelley announced his upcoming departure as president of Rogers Media in April, leaving to take an executive role as CEO of The European Tour, a global golf tour.

“Brace will be responsible for leading the continued evolution and growth of Rogers’s $1.8 billion media business. He will oversee the company’s strong portfolio of media assets including its broadcast business, publishing brands, The Shopping Channel, Sportsnet, and sports investments including the Toronto Blue Jays, the NHL, and MLSE,” a statement from the company read.

The same statement had Brace saying the gig was “an opportunity I just couldn’t pass up.”

His early career spent at CBC, Brace moved to TSN in 1998 and eventually became president of CTV. In leaving the company in 2013, he told Playback of his consulting plans and said he expected to stay connected to the industry: “I don’t know if you ever lose that,” he said.

Brace’s appointment is effective Aug. 10, 2015