Comings and goings: CPB names human resources and DEI VP, Wendy Turner becomes GM at Ideastream …

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Wilkins

Stephen Wilkins was hired as SVP of human resources, diversity, equity and inclusion for CPB.

Wilkins most recently worked as chief human resources officer and chief of staff for Alexandria City Public Schools in Virginia. Before that, he served on the staff of the Pentagon and commanded at the company, battalion and brigade levels. He also served on the faculty at the U.S. Military Academy as an assistant professor of political science.

“Stephen’s long experience in human resources and diversity issues, as well as his experience in the public education sector and military service, make him a great asset to CPB,” said CPB President Pat Harrison in a news release. “He brings the organizational leadership, academic training, and operational skills that will enable him to work with leaders and staff across the organization to advance a culture grounded in CPB’s commitment to collaboration, teamwork and DEI.”

Wilkins starts the position Dec. 6.

“I am honored to have this opportunity to join the outstanding team at CPB,” Wilkins said. “I have been so fortunate to work with talented people during my time in the public education sector and military. Now I look forward to using the knowledge and experience in organizational management to help CPB maintain a great workplace for the success of our employees in our public broadcasting mission.”

Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland named Wendy Turner GM of Ohio public media services.

Turner

In the newly created role, Turner will oversee the Ohio Channel, the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau and the recently formed statewide news collaborative. Turner will be a part of Ideastream Public Media’s executive leadership team.

“We take our responsibility of overseeing several integral components of Ohio’s public media system very seriously,” said Ideastream Public Media CEO Kevin Martin in a news release. “Wendy’s experience in the community, her executive management experience and her credibility with journalists makes her an ideal candidate to lead our statewide news efforts.”

Turner previously worked as executive director and GM for WKSU in Kent, Ohio. Ideastream Public Media and WKSU’s licensee, Kent State University, entered an operating agreement in September. Turner has also held membership, marketing and technical operations positions for Chicago Public Media and Minnesota Public Radio.

Colleen Wilson is leaving her position at TPT in St. Paul, Minn.

Wilson

Wilson joined TPT in 2018 VP of digital publishing. She previously worked for KQED in San Francisco for 18 years as an EP and executive director.

Wilson announced on LinkedIn that she will work for Truss, a software company. 

“It has been my privilege to work alongside many of the smartest, most dedicated folks in public media to build journalism services that really matter,” she said. “I’m especially grateful for my experiences as a manager and mentor and for those who generously mentored me.”

Management

Luljak

Tom Luljak was named interim director of Wisconsin Public Radio. He takes over for Mike Crane, who stepped down earlier this month and later became a policy and planning analyst for Wisconsin Public Media. Luljak is a recently retired vice chancellor for university relations and communications at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. WPR has contracted the National Educational Telecommunications Association to provide “executive consultation and leadership for the network” during the search for a permanent director.

Human resources

Vickers

Ashley Vickers was promoted to VP of human resources for the Public Media Group of Southern California, the parent company for PBS SoCal, KCET and Link TV. Vickers will also help lead diversity, equity and inclusion work, according to a news release. She previously worked as senior director of human resources.

Content

Reynolds

Ross Reynolds, an EP of community engagement for KUOW in Seattle, will retire from the station in January. Reynolds joined the station in 1987 and has worked as news director, PD and senior host. He also created “Ask A …,” an events series designed to increase community dialogue. Reynolds told Current in an email that in retirement, he’ll work with the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, focusing on the transition from radio to smart speakers.

Monks

Michael Monks, host of Cincinnati Edition for Cincinnati Public Radio, is leaving the station to focus his work on River City News, where he is editor and publisher. Monks joined the station in 2019. “I am grateful for the opportunity that Cincinnati Public Radio provided me and will always hold dear the thousands of on-air conversations over the past three years,” Monks said in a news release. “As I prepare to hang it up at WVXU in December, I will proudly remain a sustaining member!”

Fellowships

NPR announced this year’s Kroc Fellows, who “will spend the next year receiving training in audio and digital journalism” and will also work for KERA in Dallas, according to a news release. The fellows, who will change teams throughout the year, are Michelle Aslam, Mia Estrada and Taylor Jennings-Brown. Aslam has been an intern for KERA and a fellow for the Dallas Morning News. Estrada was a student journalism institute reporter for The New York Times and has been an intern and contract producer for KERA. Jennings-Brown graduated from the University of South Carolina this year and has been a writer and editor for the university’s student-led magazine, Garnet & Black.

Send news of “comings and goings” to [email protected]

Correction: An earlier version of this article used an incorrect title for Wendy Turner. She is GM of Ohio public media services at Ideastream, not GM for public TV and radio services.

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