Frontline EP Raney Aronson-Rath has added editor-in-chief to her title.
“Raney’s title recognizes her editorial and creative leadership not just running Frontline but evolving it into a multiplatform publisher that continues to expand audiences, partnerships and platforms,” said John Bredar, VP of national programming for GBH in Boston. “On a more personal level, the change recognizes GBH’s deep respect for the quality of Raney’s work and her commitment to the editorial legacy of a series that continues to do so much on behalf of our common purpose as Americans.”
Aronson-Rath joined Frontline in 2007 as a senior producer after directing documentaries for the series. She was named EP in 2015. Under Aronson-Rath’s leadership, Frontline has increased its production of podcasts and developed editorial collaborations with several news organizations, including ProPublica, the Associated Press and the New York Times.
David Greene takes over as host of Left, Right & Center, a weekly politics program produced by KCRW in Santa Monica, Calif.
“The show has always been a safe haven for raw, honest and unfiltered political discourse,” Greene said on Twitter. “I wanna double down on that tradition — we need that space now more than EVER.”
Greene succeeds Josh Barro, who left the station last year to focus on his newsletter and independent podcast. Greene was one of several guest hosts during the search for Barro’s successor.
Greene is former co-host of Morning Edition on NPR. He left in 2020 to focus on other jobs including his role as partner and co-founder of Fearless Media, an audio company. With Greene as permanent host, Fearless Media will become a co-producer of Left, Right & Center.
Terence Shepherd joins KPBS in San Diego as news director.
Shepherd departs his job as news director for WLRN in Miami. He joined the station in 2011 as an assignment editor and was promoted to news director in 2013. He previously worked as an editor for the Miami Herald and the Boca Raton News.
Shepherd is also a member of the “Network Handbook Working Group,” which helps establish shared journalism standards among public radio’s newsrooms. The working group presented its initial results at the 2022 Public Media Journalists Association conference in Seattle in June.
“KPBS represents the type of professional challenge I’ve always loved in my career,” Shepherd said in a news release. “The opportunity to be in a major market and lead a vibrant newsroom, provide structure, vision and support to the many great people in the newsroom is why I became a news leader.”
“In addition, this is an opportunity for me personally to grow and chart the future of our TV, radio and digital platforms into an incredible service to all of San Diego’s audiences,” he said.
Development
Lynn Croneberger, chief development officer for WAMU in Washington, D.C., and Bryan Columbo, director of membership, are both leaving the station in September. “We will begin a search for a Chief Advancement Officer as soon as possible,” said GM Erika Pulley-Hayes in a memo to the station’s members. Lauren Centrella will assume interim responsibilities as chief development officer until the chief advancement officer is hired. Croneberger has worked at WAMU since 2019 and Columbo signed on in 2020.
Engagement
jesikah maria ross announced that she is leaving her position as senior community engagement strategist of CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif., to work as a consultant for organizations like America Amplified, a CPB-funded initiative. She joined CapRadio in 2013 as community engagement specialist.
Audrey McDonald Atkins left her position as director of community engagement for WBHM in Birmingham, Ala. Atkins, a freelance writer, editor and writing coach, joined the station in 2011. “I have had the joy of working with some of the best people imaginable — really smart, creative, inspiring, dedicated, fun and funny people — both locally and at NPR and other stations across the country,” she said on LinkedIn.
Content
Michael Copley was hired as NPR’s first climate and corporations correspondent. Copley starts Aug. 15 and will be based in Washington, D.C. He previously worked as a senior reporter for S&P Global covering the energy industry. “We created this position to help our audience understand the role corporations are playing in the changing climate: how some are helping us avoid the worst-case climate scenarios, and how others are speeding us toward harm,” said Deputy Senior Supervising Editor Neela Banerjee and Chief Science Editor Andrea Kissack in a staff memo.
Kenny Perez was promoted to assistant PD and afternoon host for 88Nine Radio Milwaukee. Perez most recently worked as audio production manager for the station and will continue to host In the Mix on Saturday nights. He joined Radio Milwaukee in 2016 after working as dean of students for Hope Christian Schools.
Fellowships
The Association of Independents in Radio announced its 2022 New Voices Scholars, a five-month program that starts in August. Cohort members with experience in public radio include: Kassidy Arena, an engagement producer for KBIA in Columbia, Mo.; Zahra Crim, a former intern for StoryCorps; Anisa Khalifa, a podcast producer for WUNC in Chapel Hill, N.C.; Marissanne Lewis-Thompson, an afternoon newscaster for St. Louis Public Radio; Liam McBain, an associate producer for NPR; Alaa “Amy” Mostafa, a production manager for Reveal from the Center for Investigative Reporting; Christine Nguyen, a freelance producer who has worked with KQED and KALW in San Francisco; Megan Schellong, a Morning Edition host and producer for Michigan’s Capital Region at WKAR in East Lansing, Mich.; and Janelle Salanga, a reporter for CapRadio in Sacramento, Calif.
Governance
Rachel Felix joined the board of directors for PRX. Felix most recently worked as head of brand management for Mass General Brigham in Boston. She also held several positions with ViacomCBS including SVP of content distribution and marketing. “I’m thrilled to join PRX’s Board of Directors. Coming from the content distribution space and being dedicated to diversity and inclusion, I’m passionate about amplifying underrepresented voices through authentic storytelling,” Felix said in a news release. “Connecting these voices to those who need to hear them is the ultimate goal, and I look forward to working with PRX and the Board to continue this mission.”
Public Media Women in Leadership announced the appointment of six new members of its board of directors. The new directors who will work with Deanna Mackey, PMWL’s founder, board chair and GM for KPBS in San Diego, are:
- Liz Adeola, a host and producer for PBS Utah.
- Liz Cheng, GM of television for GBH in Boston.
- Emily Julka, multimedia producer for PBS Wisconsin.
- Joyce MacDonald, CEO of Greater Public, who will also serve as treasurer.
- Patti Perez, founder and CEO of Persuasion Point.
- Jennifer Strachan, CEO of Cinereach, who will also serve as secretary.
Send news of “comings and goings” to [email protected]