David Rotterman, the new CEO of PBS Western Reserve in Kent, Ohio, died Wednesday. He was 59.
A news release from the station said Rotterman died “suddenly … of unknown causes.”
Rotterman began his job as president and CEO July 17. His arrival provided a transitional overlap with longtime chief executive Trina Cutter, who is scheduled to retire Aug. 31.
Jeffery Good, chief education technology officer, will now serve as interim GM, according to the news release.
“We are stunned,” Cutter said in the news release. “Dave had quickly integrated himself into the PBS Western Reserve family with his kindness and sincerity, and we have lost a future of infinite possibilities with him at the helm.”
“We are most fortunate to have a person with Jeff’s vast knowledge of PBS Western Reserve’s internal operations to step in,” Cutter said.
“We were all saddened to hear the news about Dave and extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Dawn, and two daughters,” said Romona Davis, chair of Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio, the station’s nonprofit licensee. “While moving forward will be difficult, the board members are confident that the team in place will continue to fulfill PBS Western Reserve’s mission.”
Rotterman’s public media career included working as SVP and CCO for Buffalo Toronto Public Media, as senior producer for Nebraska Public Media and as a videographer and director for West Virginia Public Broadcasting.