In a succession plan that will take effect next month, Cindy Spizarny will become CEO of WQLN in Erie, Pa., upon the retirement of Tom New.
New, CEO since 2013, plans to retire Sept. 15. He joined the station in 1998 as director of creative services and worked as director of education, community engagement and public relations before becoming chief executive.
Spizarny steps up from her role as VP and GM, a job she took on in 2013. She joined WQLN in 2001 as controller.
WQLN announced additional staff changes: Alyson Amendola will serve as VP of advancement, Kathy Woodard will become director of education, and Aaron Coseo will step up from director to VP of engineering and media operations.
New plans to stay involved with the station’s community advisory board and will work on government affairs and fundraising initiatives, according to WQLN’s news release. He also plans to work as a full-time cartoonist and complete his graphic novel, It’s Snowing in Erie, an Unresearched History of My Hometown.
“WQLN’s staff, viewers, and supporters will surely miss Tom’s presence and enthusiasm,” the news release said. His retirement “marks the beginning of a new era for WQLN with continued dedication to providing quality educational and entertainment content for the Erie community under the dynamic leadership of Cindy Spizarny.”