NPR announced changes to its Newshub in a staff memo.
Fernando Alfonso III was hired as supervising editor for evenings. Alfonso previously worked as a reporter for CNN, a senior contributor to Forbes and a reporter for the Houston Chronicle and the Lexington Herald-Leader in Kentucky.
Kevin Drew became supervising editor for overnights. Drew most recently worked as an assistant managing editor of international for U.S. News & World Report. He has also been an editor for the New York Times and CNN and a correspondent for the Associated Press.
Ayana Archie became an overnight writer. Archie previously worked as a breaking news reporter for the Courier Journal in Louisville, Ky. She has also been an intern for CNN and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, and she participated in the New York Times Student Journalism Institute.
Kentucky Educational Television announced staff changes.
Tonya Crum was appointed chief of staff. Crum most recently worked as senior director of education. She joined the state network in 2003 as director of adult education and workforce training.
Beth Gaunce succeeds Crum as senior director of education. Gaunce first joined KET in 2017 as manager of distance learning and most recently worked as director of strategic advancement. She has also been a director of online education for Middlebury Interactive Languages.
Technology
Justin Goltermann was promoted to director of information technology for American Public Television. He will report to Anand Kavalapara, VP of technology. Goltermann joined APT in 2014 as digital content manager. He has also been a software applications developer for Smarter Travel Media and a consultant for technology companies.
Content
Casey Morell, an associate producer and director for NPR’s All Things Considered, announced that he will become a producer for the NPR Politics Podcast. His last day with All Things Considered is Friday. Morell joined NPR in 2019 after holding several positions with Nevada Public Radio and KBIA in Columbia, Mo.
Jessica Reedy was appointed supervising producer for NPR’s Pop Culture Happy Hour podcast. Reedy joined NPR in 2011 as an All Things Considered intern and has also been a production and editorial assistant for several programs including Talk of the Nation, Tell Me More and Weekend Edition. She has been on the Pop Culture Happy Hour team since 2014, most recently as a producer and editor.
Tom Grahsler was hired as director of digital studio production for WHYY in Philadelphia. “This is a dream come true for me and I look forward to telling stories in Philly,” Grahsler said on Twitter. Grahsler most recently worked as director of video for The Points Guy. He has also been senior video producer for Travel + Leisure.
Mike Vasilikos was named midday host and operations manager for WXPN in Philadelphia. Vasilikos joined the station in 2008 and has worked as assistant PD, host and fill-in host. Before WXPN, he worked as a PD for WTMD in Towson, Md.
Tina Sfondeles was hired as chief political reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, which was acquired by Chicago Public Media this year. “I can’t wait to once again write about this amazing city and state and to be part of a new chapter with @WBEZ!” Sfondeles said on Twitter. She most recently worked as a VP of public and media relations for Mac Strategies Group. Before that she was a White House reporter for Politico and a politics correspondent for Insider, and she held several reporter positions with the Sun-Times from 2007–2020.
Amanda Snyder was hired as a staff photographer for Crosscut, a news site owned by Cascade Public Media in Seattle. Snyder most recently worked as a photographer and video specialist for the Seattle Times. She has also been a digital content producer for CBS Radio stations in Seattle.
John Myers is leaving his position as a producer for World Cafe, a music program produced by WXPN in Philadelphia, to focus on Rowhome Productions, a company he co-founded in 2020. “I’m excited for the future, but will miss my XPN family. Mwah!,” Myers said on Twitter. From 1997–2009, Myers worked for WXPN as a production assistant, engineer, line producer and stage manager for the station’s music festival. He rejoined the station in 2017 after working for WHYY in Philadelphia as a producer for Fresh Air.
Marissa Nelson, an associate producer for WTTW’s Chicago Tonight, left the station to become an events producer for the nonprofit newsroom The 19th. “I’ve hoped to work there since it launched 2 yrs ago. Feels surreal that I get to so soon,” Nelson said on Twitter. “I’ll miss everyone at WTTW, but I’m so excited to join team 19.” Nelson joined WTTW in 2020 as a Minow fellow and was hired the following year.
Serena McMahon announced that she left her position as a digital producer for Here & Now, a nationally distributed program produced by WBUR in Boston, to become a social media manager for Calendly, a scheduling software company. McMahon joined Here & Now in 2019 after working as an intern and social media producer for NPR.
Marketing
Kari Krolikowski announced that she left her role as a digital marketing specialist for TPT in St. Paul, Minn., saying on Twitter that “it was time for something new.” Krolikowski joined the station in 2016.
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