Alexis Madrigal was named co-host of Forum, a public affairs program produced by KQED in San Francisco.
Madrigal, who will leave his role as a staff writer for The Atlantic, will be on the air June 21. Madrigal has also been a senior editor for the magazine, a staff writer for Wired and editor-in-chief for Fusion. He is also a co-founder of the The COVID Tracking Project, launched by The Atlantic, and has contributed to Fresh Air.
Madrigal will take over the 9 a.m. hour of Forum, while Mina Kim continues to host the 10 a.m. hour. The hosts succeed Michael Krasny, who retired in February.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Alexis to the Forum team,” Kim said in a news release. “Alexis cares deeply about the people here in the Bay Area and the struggles we face. I admire his journalistic rigor and thoughtful interviews and can’t wait to work with him to serve our listeners.”
In addition, Lina Blanco-Ogden was promoted to senior engagement platforms producer. Blanco-Ogden, who joined the station in 2017, previously worked as digital engagement manager for KQED’s arts and culture vertical and co-developed Dear Homeland, a documentary about formerly undocumented singer-songwriter Diana Gameros.
Fred Rogers Productions in Pittsburgh announced two promotions and a hire.
Suzanne Masri was elevated to VP of marketing, communications and engagement. Masri joined the company in 2015 as director of marketing and communications. She previously held several roles for WETA in Washington, D.C., including major gifts officer and senior director for station relations.
Brittany Smith was promoted to director of community engagement. She joined the organization in 1994.
Also, Christina Gorski joined as associate director of marketing. Gorski previously worked as a publicist for Fox Broadcasting and NBC Entertainment.
“We are so fortunate to have such talented professionals to help guide and support our growth at this exciting time as we launch two new series, Donkey Hodie and Alma’s Way,” said CEO Paul Siefken in a news release. “Suzanne and Brittany’s leadership has been vital in bringing our mission beyond broadcast. And I’m very pleased to welcome Christina, who has quickly become a valuable member of our marketing team.”
Colorado Public Radio hired LaToya Linzey as SVP of people and culture.
“Her experience as a human resources leader with a personal commitment to building equitable and inclusive pathways for each employee make her the perfect person to guide this part of the organization as we continue to grow,” said CEO Stewart Vanderwilt in a news release.
Linzey previously worked as a senior human resources business partner for the City and County of Denver. She joined the department as an operations assistant in 2006 and held other human resources roles for Cardinal Health.
Communications
AJ Suero was hired as director of communications for PBS 39/WLVR-FM in Bethlehem, Pa. Suero previously worked as regional communications manager for the American Red Cross and was a co-host for Latin Sunday, a weekly program on commercial station WMUH.
Development
Larry Bennett, an underwriting representative for KMUW in Wichita, Kan., will retire June 30. Bennett joined the station in 2006. He was also a regional sales manager for WW Metal Fab and operations manager for International Cold Storage. Bennett also helped found KZFR, a community radio station in Chico, Calif.
Content
Richard Harris, a science correspondent for NPR, is retiring June 4. Harris joined the network in 1986 and has traveled to all seven continents while working for NPR. He was also a union shop steward and negotiator. “My work at NPR has been much more than what I’ve put on the radio and on the web. Both the journalism and the union work are truly team efforts, and I leave NPR knowing that I’ve helped build something that is now thriving,” Harris told colleagues in a memo.
John Booth announced that he is retiring as an EP for Arizona Public Media. Booth joined the station in 2013. He previously worked as deputy director of content for KCTS in Seattle, a producer for Arizona PBS and senior director for Oregon Public Broadcasting. “My career choice took me around the world and allowed me to work with extremely creative people dedicated to evidence based and visually engaging [storytelling],” Booth said in an email to Current.
Roberto Roldan was hired as city government and politics reporter for Louisville Public Media. His first day with the station is June 1. Roldan most recently worked as a city hall reporter for VPM in Richmond, Va. He has also been a reporter for WUSF in Tampa, Fla. “I can’t wait to have Roberto immerse himself in Louisville and the WFPL newsroom,” said City Editor Amina Elahi in a news release. “He is skilled as a journalist and radio professional, and will surely make news and issues in Louisville accessible and impactful to anyone who cares about the city.”
Cherri Gregg was hired as an afternoon host for WHYY in Philadelphia. Her first day with the station is June 14. Gregg most recently worked as a community affairs reporter and host for KYW, a CBS affiliate radio station in Philadelphia. “I truly respect the grassroots, in-depth approach to storytelling at WHYY,” said Gregg in a news release. “I am excited about the opportunity to help engage the community in the many important conversations of our time.”
Alexandria Neason joined Radiolab, produced by WNYC in New York City, as an editor and producer. Neason previously worked as a staff writer for the Columbia Journalism Review. She was also a reporter for the Village Voice, an intern for NPR and an education reporter for The Teacher Project, which was led by the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
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