The Feb. 2 announcement of Padgett’s leadership comes after Ronnie Agnew left WOSU in October 2022. Padgett holds 30 years of broadcast industry experience and is departing from his position as president and CEO of South Carolina ETV, according to the WOSU press release. Though he’s had many media experiences, Padgett said the essence of his work remains the same.

“I really believe public media lies in giving a voice to people that otherwise would not have had as loud a voice,” Padgett said. “There’s something extremely humbling and profound about taking those ideas and words and knowing the impacts you’ll have on people.”

The post Anthony Padgett will serve as general manager of WOSU Public Media appeared first on Public Media Now.

Ronnie Agnew brings more than 35 years of experience working in, and leading, media organizations. He most recently served as the executive director for Mississippi Public Broadcasting (MPB), a role he held since 2011.

 “I consider it an incredible honor to be chosen to lead WOSU, an organization with an outstanding national reputation in public media,” Agnew said. “I am committed that WOSU will continue to capture the vibrancy of the region and connect with its diverse audiences. This is a special moment for me, to be back in Ohio where I was a young journalist, leading an organization that is so respected by the residents of central Ohio.”

As executive director for MPB, Agnew led statewide radio and television programming that reached every Mississippi household; had oversight of the agency’s legislative, education and digital initiatives; and managed its $12 million budget and 94 employees.

An endowment in Rieland’s honor has been established and Agnew will become the first person to hold the “Thomas Rieland Endowed WOSU General Manager” position. The endowed position will support the role of general manager at WOSU in perpetuity while providing future general managers annual discretionary funding.

Agnew recently finished a second term on the national PBS Board of Directors and remains on PBS’ editorial standards committee, where he was instrumental in a major revision of the standards. He also chaired PBS’ Diversity and Nominating committees. Agnew is former board chairman of America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) and was executive committee chairman of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA). Agnew recently finished a term as board chairman of American Public Television, the largest syndicator of content to U.S. public media stations. He is a member of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives.

Big congratulation goes out to Ronnie Agnew for this new role, and all of the accomplishments so far! Looking forward to more great things to come!

The post Ronnie Agnew, named the new general manager of WOSU Public Media appeared first on Public Media Now.

From NPR Press Release:

“Nik has an impressive track record of leadership in both engineering and media with executive leadership roles,” said NPR President and CEO John Lansing. “As VP Engineering, Nik will help us anticipate and serve the changing needs of a new generation of audio listeners and news consumers, and play a leading role in creating and executing a technical strategy to grow the business. Importantly, Nik has experience overseeing strategic digital work with content partners. .”

“For my family and me, NPR has been a part of our daily lives for years. The wide range of thoughtful content opens up our minds in so many ways! I am excited at the opportunity to help innovate and grow NPR’s technology platforms and consumer applications to provide the best possible experience for listeners and readers,” added Khilnani. “It is an honor to work with such a talented group of colleagues toward the growth and success of NPR and its Member stations.”

Prior to joining NPR, Nik Khilnani served as VP of Engineering at Lurn Inc, Senior Director of Platform Engineering at the Walt Disney Company, and Senior Director, Platform Development, Digital Products Technology at National Geographic. He earned his bachelor’s in computer science from the State University of New York at Buffalo, and his MBA in Marketing and Product Development from the University of Maryland – Robert H. Smith School of Business.

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Jon Abbott is the president and CEO of GBH (Formerly WGBH), America’s preeminent public media organization, the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, and a major supplier of content for public radio and digital audio services. A nationally recognized public media leader, Abbott has transformed the way GBH creates and distributes educationally rich content to millions of Americans throughout New England and across the nation.

Abbott has expanded GBH’s investment, impact and reach in communities across Massachusetts with multiple public TV and radio services, and a significant expansion of local journalism, including launching a new NPR News station in Boston. His commitment to fostering citizenship and learning led to the launch of PBS LearningMedia, a free, national online service offering classroom-ready digital resources for educators in all 50 states. He collaborated on the creation of two national digital TV services, WORLD and CREATE, in partnership with PBS, and has championed innovations to strengthen the entire public media system.

Abbott joined GBH as Vice President and General Manager in 1998 and was named President and CEO in 2007. Prior to GBH, he served as Senior Vice President for Development and Corporate Relations at PBS and in senior management with San Francisco public station KQED. He began his career in broadcasting in 1981 at Columbia University Station WKCR-FM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbia University and an MBA from Stanford University. He is a member of the boards of PBS, National Public Media, PRI/PRX, NEPM, Contributor Development Partnership (CDP), PBS Distribution and Project Healthy Children. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of the John Jay Award from Columbia University.

Jon Abbott is the president and CEO of GBH, America’s preeminent public media organization, the largest producer of PBS content for TV and the Web, and a major supplier of content for public radio and digital audio services. A nationally recognized public media leader, Abbott has transformed the way WGBH creates and distributes educationally rich content to millions of Americans throughout New England and across the nation.

Abbott has expanded GBH’s investment, impact and reach in communities across Massachusetts with multiple public TV and radio services, and a significant expansion of local journalism, including launching a new NPR News station in Boston. His commitment to fostering citizenship and learning led to the launch of PBS LearningMedia, a free, national online service offering classroom-ready digital resources for educators in all 50 states. He collaborated on the creation of two national digital TV services, WORLD and CREATE, in partnership with PBS, and has championed innovations to strengthen the entire public media system.

Abbott joined GBH (formerly WGBH) as Vice President and General Manager in 1998 and was named President and CEO in 2007. Prior to GBH, he served as Senior Vice President for Development and Corporate Relations at PBS and in senior management with San Francisco public station KQED. He began his career in broadcasting in 1981 at Columbia University Station WKCR-FM. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Columbia University and an MBA from Stanford University. He is a member of the boards of National Public Media, PRI/PRX, NEPM, Contributor Development Partnership (CDP), PBS Distribution and Project Healthy Children. He is an elected member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, and the recipient of the John Jay Award from Columbia University.

The post Bio: Jon Abbott appeared first on Public Media Now.

“Michael is a strategic thinker and an extremely creative media executive who has spent his career finding new ways people consume content across an increasingly diverse audience population,” said Lansing. “He is joining NPR at a time when we must extend the reach of our content beyond our traditional audiences to fully serve the American public and he is uniquely qualified to help us do so.”

“It’s essential to NPR’s future that its content and audience reflect America’s full diversity. As a Jamaican immigrant and avid NPR station and podcast listener, I’ve been personally engaged by the new and diverse voices in NPR’s content,” said Smith. “But NPR’s overall audience is still not very diverse. I believe the content has broad appeal to the next generation of audiences, we just need to get our story out to more people. I’m so excited to join a team of talented marketing and communications pros committed to this effort.”

This quote echos a response he made back in 2016 – after being named to the CableFAX Most Influential Minorities in Cable list, and was asked why diversity and inclusion are included in our company’s Core Values. “The key to successful TV is programming that resonates emotionally with the people watching it. If you want to create that kind of content, you need to be sure that you have people from all walks of life making it…” he explains. “That’s why we strive to hire diverse employees, work with diverse on-air talent and partner with diverse suppliers.”

Panel Smith Hosted in 2017

Bio
Michael Smith is the former SVP GM of Digital Video Channels for Scripps Networks Interactive. He’s spent his 30 year career at the intersection of media, technology, and culture, applying creative and strategic acumen to launching, building, and repositioning brands including Disney Channel, Food Network, Cooking Channel, and Genius Kitchen. In his role at Scripps the was focused on creating new video content and brands that leverage the disruptive new ways people consume content and the increasing diversity of today’s audiences. He has a B.S. in Science, Technology, and Society from Stanford, and a MBA from Berkeley.

The post NPR CEO Lansing Names Michael Smith Chief Marketing Officer appeared first on Public Media Now.

“I am so excited to come back to my Minnesota roots to direct the vision of TPT as we move through this next decade,” said Strobel. “TPT has grown from its foundation as a television broadcast station – blossoming into a true 21st century media organization ensuring all have access to quality, educational content on multiple platforms. I am excited to continue this trajectory and work with the TPT team to use new technology, expand content offerings and enhance the experience of – and services to – TPT’s audiences.”

Full Background: 
Before joining ideastream, Strobel served on the executive management team of American Public Media Group (APMG) as its senior vice president and general counsel.  Prior to APMG, Strobel served as CEO of the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) and the AWM Foundation in Washington, D.C., president and general manager of the Pennsylvania Public Television Network and as an attorney for Twin Cities Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. She also co-founded the law firm Lehmann Strobel PLC, where she provided counsel to the arts, cultural and media communities.

She received a B.A. from St. Olaf College, a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law, and a M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Strobel currently serves on the board of directors of Latino Public Broadcasting (Los Angeles), the Minnesota Humanities Center (St. Paul) and Hospice of Western Reserve (Cleveland), and is on the Governance Committee of the Association of Junior Leagues International (New York). She is a member of the National Press Club, The Federal Communications Bar Association and the Union Club of Cleveland, and is admitted to bar in Minnesota and Pennsylvania. Strobel and her husband have two children.

The post Sylvia Strobel, new CEO of TPT, takes reigns from retiring Pagliarini appeared first on Public Media Now.

Piotrowski started at UTEP in 1981 as a broadcast production major and over the years moved up and eventually became the interim general manager in spring 1999. The University promoted him to the permanent GM post the following fall.

He is quoted as saying, “The right staff makes a station come to life… They create the magic. It’s not the equipment. It’s the people.”

In his retirement, Piotrowski said he plans to spend more time with family, especially extended family, as well as with his hobbies. He wants to catalog his extensive music and sportscard collections, read more books, work on his photography and enjoy baseball spring training in Arizona.

About KTEP
KTEP’s mission is to inform, educate, and entertain the public and to increase knowledge of the world, appreciation of the arts, and understanding of the human condition.  Additionally, it is their mission to train and educate students at the University of Texas at El Paso in the art of broadcasting.  Learn More

Photo Credit: Ivan Pierre Aguirre / UTEP Communications

The post GM of NPR station KTEP, Pat Piotrowski, set to Retire after 36 Years. appeared first on Public Media Now.

In addition to the above, Noelle is keynote speaker, published author, and has delivered countless sessions throughout her career. She is passionate about Mindful Leadership, the use of intention setting to deliver results and improve customer experiences and also coaches leaders to help them to improve focus and deliver incredible results.

She is a wife, mom to 4, and she is passionate about changing the world!

The post Who is Noelle LaCharite? appeared first on Public Media Now.

In her time at AETN, Pledger has modernized the station, pushing video streaming for various kinds of programming such as high school sports and state government proceedings. Prior to joining AETN, Pledger worked with the Hot Springs Documentary Film Festival in Hot Springs, Arkansas to update the festival. She is also a member of the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA) executive committee.

Courtney Pledger has worked in film and media for more than thirty years from Los Angeles to New York to London before returning to her home state of Arkansas. She has worked in a variety of roles at firms ranging from a creative consultant at the animation studio, Aardman Animations, to the senior vice president of Radical Pictures/Radical Studios.

photo: aetn.org

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Cahill is a 40 year veteran of public media, having spent 25 years as general manager at KCUR-FM, the public radio station for the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Before that, she worked at KMUW-FM at Wichita State University in a variety of roles from reporter to news director to general manager.

She has served on the board of directors for NPR, as the president of Public Radio in Mid America, and vice president of Kansas Public Radio Association.

In addition, Cahill is the vice president of the American Association of University Women, Kansas City and serves on the board of directors of the Missouri Women’s Leadership Council.

Her term on the CPB Board expires in 2020

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