Chad Lampe became director of radio investments for CPB.
Lampe most recently worked as manager of station services for PRX. Before that, he worked for WKMS in Murray, Ky., first as news director and later as assistant station manager and station manager.
In 2019, Lampe was selected for the Public Radio Incubation Lab, a project led by NPR that focused on converting NPR’s digital audiences to local station membership. He has also served on the board of directors for the Public Media Journalists Association.
Jack Conely was promoted to COO of WEDU PBS in Tampa, Fla.
Conely joined the station in 1995 as a director and producer. He has also been director of production, interim CEO, VP of content and most recently SVP of operations.
“Jack’s extensive experience and trusted leadership make him the ideal candidate to partner with me as we steer our organization towards the future,” said WEDU CEO Paul Grove in a news release.
Andrew Bicknell was named CTO and director of engineering for Mississippi Public Broadcasting.
Bicknell most recently worked as CTO for Arkansas PBS. He has also been chief engineer of radio and television for Houston Public Media.
“We are excited to welcome Andrew to the team,” said MPB Executive Director Royal Aills in a news release. “Andrew brings a wealth of knowledge that is crucial to our station as we transition to our new digital-first approach to broadcasting.”
NPR announced staff changes to Short Wave, its science podcast.
Regina G. Barber, an astrophysicist, was named a full-time co-host of the program. She joined Short Wave in 2022 as the podcast’s first scientist in residence. Barber has taught physics and astronomy at Western Washington University.
“Thanks to her old life as a badass professor, we’ve been able to up our space and physics coverage — topics our audience can’t ever seem to get enough of,” wrote Senior Director of Platform Integration Beth Donovan and Short Wave Supervising Producer Rebecca Ramirez in a staff memo. “She’s also developed her own distinctive voice as a host, which you can hear regularly on our All Things Considered science news roundups she’s helmed for over a year. In addition to her regular responsibilities hosting and reporting for Short Wave, Gina loves filing for the Science desk, has guest-hosted for Life Kit and made a few Pop Culture Happy Hour appearances. We only want to live in this version of the universe, where Gina is taking over NPR alongside co-host Emily Kwong.”
Berly McCoy became a producer for Short Wave. She first started working at NPR as a program coordinator for NPR Scicommers and Joe’s Big Idea, a group founded by Joe Palca and Maddie Sofia to teach scientists and engineers how to improve communication and find community. She has also been a fact-checker for Short Wave.
Rachel Carlson also became a permanent production assistant. She first joined NPR in 2022 as a Short Wave intern and has also been a contract news assistant. Before NPR, she was a production assistant and script editor for PRX and an iLab intern and web producer for WBUR in Boston.
Mitch Wertlieb will become permanent host of Vermont This Week, a television and audio program produced by Vermont Public.
Wertlieb first show as permanent host is May 10. He succeeds Stewart Ledbetter, who stepped down from the program last year.
Wertlieb, who joined Vermont Public’s radio station in 2003 as a Morning Edition host, became a host and producer last year for the station’s daily news podcast The Frequency. He will continue to host the podcast.
“If it’s possible to be thrilled, inspired, and nervous all at once, I’ve hit the trifecta,” Wertlieb said in a news release. “I’m grateful to the Vermont This Week crew for welcoming me and I’m looking forward to keeping Vermonters up to speed with the best journalists in the state.”
Content
Luis Antonio Perez announced on LinkedIn that he rejoined Colorado Public Radio as a podcast editor and producer. He first joined the station in 2020 as a podcast producer and has also been a community audio producer and host of the podcast My Story So Far.
Nilufer Arsala announced that she’s leaving her role as manager of radio operations for KERA in Dallas and her positions as midday host and local music coordinator for sister station KXT. “I’m looking forward to the future, and I so treasure the time I had at KXT and KERA,” she wrote on LinkedIn. “I’ll forever be thankful I was able to end my time at this station — which is so near to my heart — in such a special way.” Arsala first joined KERA in 2009 as a midday host, producer and engineer. She has also been a technical director.
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