Aja Williams rejoined Nine PBS in St. Louis as chief content officer.
Williams most recently worked as senior content strategist for Edward Jones and has also been a senior content strategy lead for Ameren.
From 2014–17, she was a digital media producer for Nine PBS. She has also been a digital producer for commercial station KSDK in St. Louis, an editor for Patch and editorial manager for Urban Tulsa Weekly.
Kalie Hudson was promoted to chief content officer for Kansas City PBS.
Hudson joined the station in 2019 as director of marketing and engagement. Before Kansas City PBS, she held marketing roles for Powell Gardens, the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art and Union Station Kansas City.
“I couldn’t be more excited to have Kalie step into this new and essential role,” said CEO Kliff Kuehl in a news release. “As our organization evolves and local journalism becomes even more important, we recognize the need for a ‘connector.’ Through maintaining and developing new relationships with local journalists and arts organizations, she’ll bring a contemporary strategy and original perspective to the stories we tell — and who tells those stories.”
Iris Drayton-Spann is leaving WETA in Washington, D.C.
Drayton-Spann became chief diversity officer last year. She joined the station in 2018 as VP of human resources, a title she retained.
Drayton-Spann told Current she will become an executive recruiter, DEI and organizational development professional for Stanton Chase, an executive search firm in Washington, D.C.
“This is the same firm that did a fantastic job for WETA on the CTO and CFO searches [in 2021],” said Jason R. Daisey, WETA’s EVP and COO, in a staff memo. “They could see how dedicated Iris is to finding the right fit for candidates and companies, and Iris found the call to do this new work compelling. We will miss her many talents, but this is a terrific opportunity for her and we congratulate her on this next chapter.”
WNYC in New York City hired two editors.
Ann Givens joined the station as public safety editor. Givens most recently worked as a staff writer for The Trace, a nonprofit newsroom covering guns in America. She has also been an investigative producer for NBC New York, where she was point person for collaborations with WNYC. Before that, she was a staff writer for Newsday and The Orlando Sentinel.
Steve Smith was hired as culture and art editor. Smith most recently worked as a senior editor on the arts, culture and books desk for NPR. He has also been music editor for Time Out New York, director of publications for National Sawdust and an assistant arts editor for The Boston Globe. He was a freelance classical music critic for The New York Times and is currently a freelance contributor to The New Yorker.
Arizona PBS promoted three staffers.
Ebonye Delaney was named senior director and content officer. Delaney joined the station in 2017 and most recently worked as director of digital content and production.
Tiffany Khan became senior director and revenue officer. Khan joined the station in 2019 and most recently worked as director of annual giving.
Marisa Upham was appointed project manager and advisor to the GM. Upham joined the station in 2019 and most recently worked as an executive administrative support specialist.
PBS Reno in Nevada announced two hires.
Cortney Arrington joined the station as a development officer and grant writer. Arrington previously worked as a resource development coordinator for the Truckee Meadows Parks Foundation.
Alex Muench, a freelancer, rejoined the station as a content creator III. Muench previously worked for PBS Reno and edited the station’s Cargo series, which featured musical performances. He has also been a videographer for Wild Nevada and producer/editor of the PBS Reno STEM Works digital short series. He will continue work on both productions.
Content
Cheril Lee joined WHQR Public Media in Wilmington, N.C., as a classical host and arts reporter, a new position. Beginning Jan. 24, Lee will host the morning classical program Allegro on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. (Jemila Ericson will host Tuesdays and Thursdays.) Lee previously worked as news director and classical music host for KVNO in Omaha, Neb. She has also been a reporter and fill-in Morning Edition host for KIOS in Omaha.
Anthony Ganzer left his position as a host of All Things Considered for Ideastream Public Media in Cleveland. Ganzer told Current he will become a global content leader and work in people advisory services for Ernst & Young. He joined Ideastream in 2013.
Samuel King was hired as an editor for Minnesota Public Radio. King most recently worked as a traffic anchor and reporter for KSAT, a commercial station in San Antonio. He has also been a transportation reporter for KUT in Austin, Texas, and a government and politics reporter for KCUR in Kansas City, Mo.
Fellowships
Solomon Wilson became the inaugural Marjorie Welch Fitts Louis Fellow for KERA in Dallas. He will cover racial equity, women’s rights, socioeconomic disparities and other topics involving social justice. In 2020, Wilson participated in NPR’s Next Generation Radio program and covered LGBTQ+ topics in Texas. He is a recent graduate of Texas A&M University in San Antonio.
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