The PBS Board of Directors elected Don Baer of Burson-Marsteller Worldwide as its new chair Wednesday, promoting him from vice-chair during a meeting at headquarters in Arlington, Va.
Baer
The board also confirmed Baer, c.e.o. of the public relations and communications firm, for a second term on the 27-member governing body. His career includes nearly a decade at Discovery Communications, in roles from producer to senior executive, and working as senior adviser to President Bill Clinton and as a journalist for publications including U.S. News & World Report.
Continuing as general vice-chair is American Council on Education President Molly Corbett Broad, also re-elected to the board. Jack Galmiche, president of Nine Network in St. Louis, was elected professional vice-chair.
Others directors returning for a second term are Larry Irving, president of the Irving Group, a telecom consulting firm based in San Diego; Al Landon, former chair and c.e.o. of Bank of Hawaii; and Don Boswell, president of WNED in Buffalo, N.Y.
New to the board are Neal Shapiro, president of WNET, New York; Becky Magura, president of WCTE, Cookeville, Tenn.; and Lisa Shumate, executive director and general manager of Houston Public Media.
The board includes professional directors elected by PBS member stations and general directors that are lay leaders elected by the board. The PBS Board appoints the PBS president and chief executive officer and also elects board leadership.