Comings and goings: KPBS CFO to retire, OPB hires marketing VP …

Vince Petronzio, CFO of KPBS in San Diego, will retire at the end of June.

Petronzio joined KPBS in 2010 as a financial consultant and also worked as director of finance and accounting. He was promoted to the C-suite in 2018.

During his tenure, he served on the board of the Public Media Business Association and was its chair in 2020. He currently serves on the executive committee for the University Station Alliance as treasurer.

“It has been a privilege to work alongside so many talented and mission-driven people in public media,” Petronzio said in a news release. “KPBS is a remarkable organization, and I retire proud of what we built together — and excited for my next chapter.”

After leaving KPBS, Petronzio plans to work as a financial consultant for nonprofits and as a contractual CFO.

Oregon Public Broadcasting hired Ellie Pierce as VP of marketing and communications.

Pierce grew up around Portland and is a graduate of the University of Oregon. She started her media career in 2005 as a newsroom administrator and later became a features reporter for The Bulletin in Bend, Ore. She has worked for American Public Media Group since 2022, first as communications manager and more recently as senior communications manager.

Pierce will lead marketing and communications for both OPB and KMHD, a music station. 

“Ellie’s combined experience in newsrooms, ad agencies and public media, along with her Oregon roots, make her the ideal choice for this role in a pivotal moment,” said CEO Rachel Smolkin in a news release. “We’ll have exciting new offerings in the coming months. Ellie will help ensure that they reach the audiences and communities we serve throughout the Pacific Northwest.”

Little Rock Public Radio in Arkansas announced newsroom hires.

Amir Mahmoud was hired as a rural issues reporter. Mahmoud previously worked for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, which he joined in 2022 as a copy editor and designer. He later became a transportation and general assignment reporter.

Paige Murphy will be a part-time reporter. She has been a producer and filmmaker for independent documentaries and is currently seeking a law degree at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock William H. Bowen School of Law. After graduating, she plans to work in entertainment law.

Maggie Ryan became a contributing editor for the station. Ryan joined the station in 2023 as All Things Considered host. She will now oversee statewide partnerships and news coverage.

Administration

Emma Obregon Dominguez joined GBH in Boston as a business associate for the news and public affairs series Frontline. She previously worked as an operations and advertising coordinator for the Boston Business Journal and was a news intern at GBH in 2024. “Now, more than ever, supporting public media and in-depth investigative journalism is critical,” she said on LinkedIn. “I am thrilled to join a team that works hard to champion and grow compelling journalism in our local community and around the world.”

Honorah Bullough is leaving her role as an account executive for WMHT in Troy, N.Y. She joined the station last year. “I’m officially no longer the ‘PBS girl’ as some of you like to call me (although always in spirit),” she said on LinkedIn. “Within these walls, I discovered my confidence, love for sales, and genuine friendships.” She joined the station last year after receiving her bachelor’s degree from the State University of New York at Oswego.

Development

Robert Shouse joined KTRL in Stephenville, Texas, as development director. Shouse previously worked as an academic advisor for the Dr. Sam Pack College of Business at Tarleton State University, which holds the station’s license. He has also worked in sales for Minnwest Bank and Allstate.

Cassandra Shelley was hired as a fundraising producer for GBH in Boston. Shelley most recently worked as key account coordinator for VDA, a design agency. In 2021, she was a production assistant for Antiques Roadshow, produced by GBH. “It’s surreal to be working full-time at a company I’ve admired for so long,” she said on LinkedIn. “I’m so grateful and proud to be joining this team. I couldn’t be more thrilled to keep learning, keep growing, and dive right into my first official pledge season.”

Content

Tony Krabill is leaving his role as PD for WVPE in Elkhart, Ind., to become GM of student-run station 91.1 The Globe at Goshen College. He joined WVPE in 2007 as operations manager and became PD in 2022. He starts the new job in July. “I am grateful for the years I have had at WVPE and the friendships I have developed, not only with my wonderful colleagues, but with station partners and listeners,” he said on LinkedIn. “I look forward to a new chapter in my career at GC working with students to develop their talents alongside a fantastic team of faculty and staff.”

Sonia Rao was hired as a culture reporter for WNYC/Gothamist in New York. Rao previously worked as a features reporter and critic for The Washington Post until she was laid off in February. She has also been an arts correspondent for The Boston Globe. In a staff memo, Culture Editor Matthew Schnipper said Rao “has a knack for finding the unique angle on a national story, the type of idea that makes you go, ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’ I look forward to her take on how New York City sets the agenda for culture writ large.”

Send news of “comings and goings” to people@current.org