Slocum
The Public Radio Regional Organizations presented the annual PRRO Award Nov. 13 to NPR Chief Administrative Officer Joyce Slocum, whose five years with the network included serving as NPR’s interim c.e.o. for nine months in 2011.
The PRRO award recognizes behind-the-scenes “heroes” who have helped advance the field of public media throughout their careers. Georgette Bronfmann of Eastern Region Public Media presented the award, lauding Slocum for steering NPR during challenging times and describing the respect she earned among colleagues for her leadership.
As chief administrative officer of NPR, Slocum serves as secretary to the NPR Board of Directors and is an adviser to the NPR Foundation Board of Trustees. In 2008 she oversaw the process of executing a round of layoffs at NPR in response to the downturn in the economy.
“It has been an interesting five-plus years,” Slocum said of her time of NPR, as she accepted the award during a lunch at the PRRO Super-Regional in Fort Washington. She likened her time at the network to a cruise — “You unpack once, but you get to see a lot of interesting places.”