Selyn Hong was promoted to VP of human resources for NPR.
Hong joined NPR in 2020 and most recently worked as senior director of employee & labor relations and investigations. She will report to Carrie Storer, NPR’s chief human resources officer.
Hong worked on last year’s Screen Actors Guild-American Federation of Television and Radio Artists collective bargaining agreement negotiations, according to an NPR release, and has also overseen the network’s crisis management team during the COVID-19 pandemic, which deliberates on how to support NPR’s staff and operations.
“Her approach consistently has been to look beyond what is legally compliant to advocate for policies that promote diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging at NPR and prioritize employee safety and well-being,” the release said.
Before NPR, Hong worked for several law firms, including Hughes Hubbard & Reed, Hodgson Russ and Seyfarth Shaw.
Terry Foxx became director of programming and audience for KUT in Austin, Texas.
Foxx most recently worked as a brand manager of sports for Radio One stations in Charlotte, N.C. He has also worked for ESPN Radio and commercial stations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Nashville and Pittsburgh.
“Terry has deep knowledge and experience when it comes to identifying and expanding audiences,” said Debbie Hiott, GM for KUT and KUTX, in a news release. “He grew up in Texas, has always had family in Austin, and understands how KUT can serve our community. With those things he will help us develop and provide programming that reaches into new areas important to Central Texas.”
North Texas Public Broadcasting, which operates KXT and KERA in Dallas, announced changes.
Benjamin McPhail was hired as PD for KXT, a Triple A music station. McPhail most recently worked as program director for KJAC/The Colorado Sound in Timnath, Colo. McPhail is also a member of NPR Music’s Slingshot Editorial Committee and a regular contributor to NPR Music’s Heavy Rotation series.
Jeff Penfield was promoted to PD for KERA News. Penfield joined the station in 2019 as manager of radio operations. Penfield will report to McPhail.
Management
Anthony Moreno was promoted to content director for KRWG Public Media in Las Cruces, N.M. Moreno most recently worked as local Morning Edition host. “Anthony brings a ton of enthusiasm, new ideas, and experience to the position. Finding such a highly qualified candidate for this crucial role will undoubtedly benefit listeners and viewers in the region,” said GM Adrian Velarde in a news release. KC Counts will succeed Moreno as host of Morning Edition. She previously worked as host of All Things Considered.
Ian Fox announced that he left his position as manager of business development and partnerships for PRX to become product manager for audio at the Harvard Business Review. Fox joined PRX in 2017 as a Podcast Garage associate and has also been a project manager for business development and strategy.
Content
Jennifer Vanasco announced that she will join NPR later this month as an editor for the culture desk based in the New York City bureau. Vanasco is currently a news and culture editor for WNYC, a station she joined in 2013.
Ryland Barton became managing editor of collaboratives for Louisville Public Media in Kentucky. In the newly created role, Barton will lead the Ohio Valley ReSource and the Kentucky Public Radio Network. Barton previously worked as state capitol bureau chief for the Kentucky Public Radio Network, a consortium of stations. The Ohio Valley ReSource is a regional journalism collaborative among organizations in Kentucky, Ohio and West Virginia. Barton has also been a host and reporter for public radio stations in Texas, KWBU in Waco and KUT in Austin.
Liz Brazile was promoted to deputy online managing editor for KUOW in Seattle. Brazile joined the station in 2020 as an online editor and producer. She previously worked as an emerging journalist fellow for Crosscut in Seattle and is president of the Seattle Association of Black Journalists.
Amy Jeffries was hired as assistant news director for KNKX in Tacoma, Wash. Jeffries most recently worked as daily news editor for WUNC in Chapel Hill, N.C. She has also been an editor for KCUR in Kansas City, Mo.
Elaine Tassy was hired as the first race, diversity and equity reporter for Colorado Public Radio. Tassy previously worked as a reporter for the Albuquerque Journal in New Mexico and was also a reporter for the Baltimore Sun.
Casey Kuhn announced that she became a digital video producer for PBS NewsHour. Kuhn will work with Nicole Ellis, who was hired as digital anchor last year. Kuhn most recently worked as an associate producer for NewsHour West in Phoenix. She has also been a field correspondent for KJZZ in Phoenix and a reporter and producer for Indiana Public Media in Bloomington.
Kezia Setyawan announced that she was hired as a reporter for WWNO in New Orleans. Setyawan previously worked as a reporter for the Houma Courier and the Daily Comet in Thibodaux, La.
Governance
Andrew Russell, CEO for the Public Media Group of Southern California, was reelected board chair for America’s Public Television Stations. Susi Elkins, GM for WKAR in East Lansing, Mich., was reelected vice chair. David Steward II, immediate past board chair for Nine PBS in St. Louis, was reelected lay vice chair. APTS’ board also elected two trustees: Annette Herrington, commissioner of Arkansas PBS, as a lay trustee; and John D. Zeglis, retired chairman and CEO of AT&T Wireless Services, as an at-large trustee.
Nichole Carie was elected president of the board of directors for Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, a consortium of radio and television organizations. She succeeds Tom Maloney, VP of radio operations at Lakeshore Public Radio in Merrillville. Carie is GM and director of operations for Vincennes PBS, licensed to Vincennes University, where she also leads WVUB-FM. She joined the board in 2014 and previously served as VP and secretary/treasurer. Also, Anthony Hunt, station manager for WVPE in Elkhart, was named VP. and Tim Black, CEO of WNIN in Evansville, became secretary/treasurer.
Susan Yee was elected board chair for Lehigh Valley Public Media in Bethlehem, Pa. Yee succeeds Steven Thompson, who was board chair for two years. Yee, previously vice chair for the organization, is CEO of Active Data. John Eureyecko, CEO of Belhaven Capital Group, was elected vice chair; Gregory Paul, a founding member of Stonegate Industries, was elected treasurer; and William Gaudelli, dean of the school of education and vice provost for innovation in education for Lehigh University, was elected secretary.
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