NPR promoted Marta McLellan Ross to SVP of government and external affairs.
McLellan Ross joined the network in 2021 as VP of government and external affairs. She previously worked as director of legislative affairs for the Defense Logistics Agency and was also acting director of congressional affairs and senior congressional liaison for the U.S. Agency for Global Media.
Before working in media, she was a senior policy analyst for foreign affairs and energy at the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission. She’s also been a foreign policy legislative assistant for former U.S. Sen. Jim Webb and a military legislative assistant for former U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly.
Stephen George, former CEO of Louisville Public Media, was hired as head of emerging markets for the American Journalism Project.
George first joined the Louisville station in 2015 as executive editor and served as president and CEO since 2018 before stepping down this month. He was also a member director on the NPR board.
“Strong local news has never been more important,” George said on LinkedIn. “I’m so proud of what we’ve built at LPM, and I can’t wait to get started on what’s next.”
Engineering
Jason Quinn was named director of engineering for New Mexico PBS. Quinn, who joined the station in 2014, most recently worked as chief engineer and manager of broadcast technology. Before joining New Mexico PBS, he was a self-employed consultant working with the cellphone industry. In December, Quinn received the Gerald W. May Staff Recognition Award for distinguished service and dedication to the University of New Mexico, the station’s licensee. During his tenure, he’s helped build three tower sites for the Navajo Nation and has worked to expand the station’s capabilities with ATSC 3.0, also known as NextGen TV.
Marketing
Jason Cohen was hired as managing director for the Maryland State Ad Agency, a division of Maryland Public Television. Cohen most recently worked as digital marketing manager at Audacy’s Baltimore office and was VP of Spokes Marketing, a company that acquired a firm he founded, RockIt Digital Marketing. He was president of his firm until its acquisition in 2013.
Content
Joel Rose became an immigration reporter for NPR. “I’m back on the immigration beat, which I covered during the first Trump administration, for a temporary assignment,” he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Rose most recently worked as a correspondent for the National Desk. He joined the network in 2011 as a general assignment reporter based in New York and has also been a transportation correspondent.
Michelle Fulcher retired from her position as a senior producer for Colorado Matters, produced by Colorado Public Radio. Fulcher first joined the station in 2007 as a producer, then left in 2012 to be a marketing and communications director and journalism instructor for the University of Colorado. She returned to the station for her latest position in 2016. Before joining CPR, Fulcher worked for the Denver Post for 18 years, where she won a Pulitzer Prize with the newspaper for its coverage of the Columbine school shootings. She was also a reporter for the Colorado Springs Gazette. In an on-air farewell message, Fulcher said retirement will leave her more time for bird-watching.
Sally Shaum, a director and producer for PBS Utah, retired from the station. Shaum, who joined PBS Utah in 1988, directed, edited or co-produced several documentaries for the station, including Homeless at the End and The Gerda That Remains. “One of the things that we will most miss about Sally as she retires is her tremendous empathy,” said James Davie, station manager, in a news release. “It’s part of what has made her work stand apart and made her a great storyteller as well as colleague.” Post-retirement, Shaum plans to work on her 1926 bungalow, make music, watch movies and hike the Pacific Northwest.
Lauren Steinbrecher joined PBS Utah as a reporter and host for Utah Insight, a weekly program. Steinbrecher, who will also contribute to other public affairs programs at the station, most recently worked as a reporter for KSL, an NBC affiliate in Salt Lake City. She’s also been a reporter for KSTU, a Fox affiliate, and NBC Montana. “With nearly a decade of experience in Salt Lake City, Steinbrecher has built a reputation as a trustworthy, fair, and compassionate reporter,” said Lisa Olken, content director, in a news release. “I’m confident her deep connections to Utah will help take the work we do at PBS Utah to the next level.”
Priska Neely, former managing editor for the Gulf States Newsroom, announced on LinkedIn that she joined Report for America as a training manager. Neely stepped down from the Gulf States Newsroom last month.
Regan Mertz was hired as the Edlis Neeson arts and culture reporter for Aspen Public Radio. She takes over the position held by Kaya Williams, who left the station in November. Mertz most recently worked as a reporter for the Aspen Times. She has also been a digital news producer for commercial television station KRCG in Jefferson City, Mo.; a reporter and editor for KBIA in Columbia, Mo.; and a reporter for the Columbia Missourian.
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