Pam Johnston will be the next president and CEO of Rhode Island’s public media organization, the result of a merger between Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio.
Former RIPBS President David Piccerelli and Torey Malatia, former CEO of The Public’s Radio, have been serving as co-CEOs since the merger was announced in November. Piccerelli and Malatia “will be available to Johnston during the transition,” according to a news release. Johnston will begin in her new role Aug. 19.
“The possibilities before us for public media in Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts are incredibly exciting, and Pam Johnston has the passion, expertise, and creativity to build a world class organization,“ said Elizabeth Delude-Dix, co-chair of the organization’s board and former chair of the board of directors of The Public’s Radio, in the release. “Pam is a visionary leader who has a deep understanding of audience engagement, practical expertise in digital transformation, and innovative ideas for the future.”
Johnston most recently worked as GM for the news division at GBH in Boston. She stepped down from the station in May. Johnston started the job in 2020. She previously worked for Frontline, produced by GBH, first as senior director of audience development and later as senior director of strategy and audience.
“Since announcing this merger, the overwhelmingly positive feedback from our team, viewers, listeners, and beyond has reinforced our belief that we will be stronger and more dynamic together,” board co-chair Dave Laverty, formerly chair of the Rhode Island PBS Foundation Board, said in the release. “Pam recognizes the magnitude of this opportunity and will be ready on day one to bring people together, and leverage our collective strengths to lead a more powerful and trusted public media source to better serve the community.”
Outside of public media, Johnston was director of new media at Beth Israel Lahey Health and VP of marketing and editorial for Gather Communications. She also held journalism roles at commercial television stations in Maine, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
“My passion for public media’s mission and service to our local community has never been stronger. I am honored to be stepping into this role at such a vital moment,” Johnston said in the release. “At a time when trust in the media is eroding and societal gaps are widening, public media can play a critical role in fostering understanding, goodwill, and connection. I believe that here in Rhode Island we have the team, talent, and resources to redefine the very best of what public media can be.”
Rhode Island PBS and The Public’s Radio received regulatory approval for the merger from Rhode Island’s attorney general earlier this year. The broadcasters gained FCC approval in January. The organization’s next steps are filing documents of incorporation with the secretary of state’s office. It is also merging the boards of the TV and radio stations.
With a new CEO named, the merged organization plans to launch “an inclusive engagement process, steeped in listening and learning, which will involve staff and reporters, underwriters and supporters, and the community at large–to develop a new name and brand as the organization continues to bring together its teams, operations, and an enhanced slate of programming,” the release said.