KUNM in Albuquerque, N.M., promoted Megan Kamerick to news director.
She succeeds Hannah Colton, who died last year, and Zélie Pollon, who was hired as interim news director during the search for a permanent hire.
Kamerick became a volunteer for the station in 2005. She has also been a reporter, producer and local host of Morning Edition and All Things Considered. Kamerick is also a producer and correspondent for New Mexico PBS.
“I am honored to lead the award-winning KUNM News team, and mindful that I am following in the footsteps of our late colleague, Hannah Colton,” Kamerick said in a news release. “We never stopped reporting during what was the most momentous news year that any of us is ever likely to see. We will continue that work, with particular attention to the underserved communities in our state.”
KUNM also announced that reporter Marisa Demarco left the station to become New Mexico bureau editor-in-chief for States Newsroom, a nonprofit journalism group with bureaus around the country.
Houston Public Media hired Derrick Wilson as executive director of business operations.
Wilson previously worked at colleges and universities. He is currently pursuing a doctorate in educational administration at Texas Southern University.
“Derrick Wilson is the best person to take our fiscal and administrative growth to the next level,” said Station Manager Josh Adams in a news release. “As we continue to innovate our content and digital future, I am specifically thrilled to have his leadership and experience. We are excited to welcome him as a key member of the station’s executive team.”
Content
Nicole Childers left her role as EP for Marketplace Morning Report to become an executive editor of business, technology and media for NBC News. Childers joined Marketplace in 2014. She has also held producer roles for NPR, ABC News and The Michael Eric Dyson Show.
Sterling Beeaff will retire from his role of music director for classical station KBAQ in Phoenix. Beeaff joined the station in 1995 as a host. “I’ve enjoyed sharing the mornings and the music with you,” Beeaff said in a news release. “Thank you so much for making me a part of your life.”
Sydney Pereira left her position as a reporter and producer for Gothamist, the news site owned by New York Public Radio. She joined Gothamist in 2019. “Leaving this job is heartbreaking for me. But after a grueling year and a half, the unrelenting pace and stories I was covering impacted my mental and physical health in ways that scared me,” Pereira said on Twitter. “I eventually accepted I could no longer ignore how badly burnout affected me.”
Katelyn Umholtz was hired as a digital editor for WWNO in New Orleans and WRKF in Baton Rouge, La. She starts the job Aug. 16. Umholtz most recently worked as a digital reporter for the Times-Picayune and New Orleans Advocate. She has also been a reporter for the Valdosta Daily Times in Georgia. “It’s a dream to get to work with the talented group at these local NPR stations and still get to cover a city and state I have come to love,” Umholtz said on Twitter. “I love you, New Orleans, and I’m glad I’m sticking around.”
Tarryn Mento was hired as a professional in residence at WAER in Syracuse, N.Y. Mento said on Twitter that she’ll report, work with interns and teach at Syracuse University, which owns the station’s license. Mento previously held reporter and producer positions with KPBS in San Diego and WNET in New York City.
Hady Mawajdeh is leaving his position as a digital engagement reporter and producer for KERA in Dallas to become a producer for Vox’s Today Explained podcast. “I’m SUPER excited for this new chapter in my journalism career. #publicmedia has been one hell of a ride,” Mawajdeh said on Twitter.
Natalie Newcomb joined KUOW in Seattle as an announcer for Weekend Edition. Newcomb previously worked as assistant producer of Morning Edition and announcer for Northwest Public Broadcasting in Pullman, Wash.
Marketing
Sakeenah Benjamin announced that she’s leaving her position as public information coordinator for WHYY in Philadelphia to join the community affairs team for Campbell Soup Co. “I’ve had nothing short of an incredible time with this organization. I made friends turned family,” she said on Twitter. Benjamin joined WHYY in 2018 and has also been audience coordinator for Billy Penn, an online news site owned by the station.
Courtney Johnson joined America’s Public Television Stations as an events and staff assistant. Johnson previously worked as an auction business office associate and title clerk for CarMax. She also held marketing positions for Maryland Live Casino.
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