Chuck Roberts was hired as president and CEO of Lakeshore Public Media in Merrillville, Ind.
Roberts succeeds James Muhammad, who left the dual licensee last year to become president of the University of Southern California Radio Group.
Roberts previously worked as executive director for West Virginia Public Broadcasting. The state network’s governing board, citing a desire to go in a “different direction,” dismissed Roberts in 2021.
“Our Lakeshore Public Media board conducted an extensive national search for a new CEO that would bring a level of experience, in both public television and radio, to our stations,” said Board Chair Larry A Brechner, in a news release. “In Chuck Roberts, I confidently believe we have found the kind of dynamic leadership to guide Lakeshore Public Media up to the next level in its service to Northwest Indiana as part of the Chicago media market.”
Roberts joined WVPB in 2000 as a video production crew member. He became director of video production in 2013 and COO in 2016, and he was named executive director in 2018. During his tenure, he helped increase national carriage of the radio program Mountain Stage and was point person on a $7.3 million ATSC 3.0 conversion project, according to the news release.
After leaving WVPB, Roberts pursued a master’s degree in business administration from Marshall University in Huntington, W.V., which he earned in April 2022. He also assisted the clerk of the house for the West Virginia House of Delegates.
“I am excited to work with the dedicated and vibrant staff at Lakeshore Public Media. It is a great opportunity and I look forward to growing the brand of LPM and working with the communities of Northwest Indiana to shine a light on their stories and experiences,” Roberts said in the news release.