Sean Anker was appointed CTO for WFYI in Indianapolis.
Anker started his career as a maintenance engineer for WFYI in 1989. He left in 1995 to be chief engineer for Innovative and also led engineering for commercial television stations in Boston and Albuquerque, N.M.
“As our first CTO, Sean will be at the forefront of ensuring that we have the internal and external infrastructure necessary to achieve our goals,” said WFYI CEO Greg Petrowich in a news release.
CPB hired Meirah Shedlo Eidelman as a project manager for public media’s Next Generation Warning System.
Eidelman said on LinkedIn that she is “looking forward to collaborating with my new team to support grantee broadcasting stations in advancing public safety in underserved communities.”
She previously worked as a senior academic advisor and special projects manager in the dean’s office of the Stern College for Women at Yeshiva University in New York.
Development
Alicia Pedersen was hired as membership manager for MinnPost, a nonprofit online newspaper in Minneapolis. Pedersen most recently worked as donor engagement specialist for American Public Media Group. She joined APMG in 2021.
Content
David Schaper is leaving his position as a Chicago-based correspondent on NPR’s National Desk. Schaper told Axios that he took a voluntary buyout this month. “It’s a temporary retirement,” Schaper said in an interview with Axios. “In a few months, I’m going to need a new gig.” Schaper joined NPR in 2002 after working for WBEZ in Chicago.
Sophia Paliza-Carre announced on Twitter that she was laid off as part of a larger downsizing at Southern California Public Radio. “Over the last 2 years, I have been so proud to help tell complex stories about identity and culture in Los Angeles, and I’ve esp loved working with such talented writers, supportive colleagues, and just plain good people,” she wrote. “This is a wild time for audio makers looking to make work that is both beautiful and impactful, I truly hope we can find a way back!” Paliza-Carre joined SCPR in 2021 after working for Futuro Media Group. She has also worked for WNYC in New York, Arizona Public Media and The Moth.
Erin O’Toole returned to KUNC in Greeley, Colo., as host of In the NoCo, an upcoming daily podcast and radio segment. O’Toole, who most recently worked as an audio producer for City Cast in Denver, first joined KUNC in 2009 as a Morning Edition host and also hosted Colorado Edition. In a KUNC news story, O’Toole said her goal for In the NoCo is to “contextualize” and “demystify” the news. Robyn Vincent, an investigative reporter for the station, will be EP of the program. Yoselin Meza-Miranda, a reporter and host, will work as a producer. The program does not have an official launch date, but KUNC is aiming for “late in the summer,” according to O’Toole.
Melissa Ross, a host and EP for WJCT in Jacksonville, Fla., announced on Twitter that she’s leaving the station to become director of strategic initiatives and press liaison for Jacksonville Mayor-Elect Donna Deegan. Ross joined WJCT in 2009 and has worked as co-host of the weekly radio program The Florida Roundup and the daily program First Coast Connect. “We have a deep appreciation for all she has done for Northeast Florida and for WJCT Public Media, and we wish her all the best in this next chapter,” said WJCT CEO David McGowan in a news release.
Laura Hackett was hired as a general assignment reporter for Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville, N.C. Hackett most recently worked as a senior editor for AVLtoday and was also a reporter and development coordinator for the alternative newspaper Mountain Xpress.
Fellowships
Marketplace producer Alice Wilder is among this year’s MJ Bear Fellows. The yearlong Online News Association program supports digital journalists under 30 years old on a project of their choosing. Wilder’s project focuses on “Starting Out,” a monthly newsletter in partnership with Transom, that offers advice for people entering the audio industry. Wilder joined Marketplace in 2022. She previously worked as an associate producer for the podcast Nancy from WNYC in New York and the Trump, Inc. podcast from WNYC and ProPublica.
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