INDIANAPOLIS -- The president and general manager of Indianapolis' NBC affiliate died suddenly while on a business trip in Ohio, WTHR-TV announced Tuesday.

Jim Tellus, 47, was found dead in his Columbus hotel room Tuesday morning of an apparent heart attack, the station said.

Tellus was hired as news director at WTHR in 2006 and was promoted to vice president and general manager a year later. He was named president in 2009.

"He was a gentle, kind and compassionate leader and he will be missed greatly by the Channel 13 staff and by the entire Dispatch Printing Company," said WTHR News Operations Supervisor Dave Garlock in a statement.

Tellus is survived by his wife, Kathy, and their four children.

Visitation will be held Friday from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Church at 14598 Oak Ridge Road in Carmel. A vigil service will be held at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. The funeral will be held on Saturday at 11 a.m. at the church.