Comings and goings: Ocean State Media appoints revenue chief, comms leader ends time at NYPR …

Mike Steffon became chief revenue and growth officer of Ocean State Media in Rhode Island.

Steffon joined the organization in 2024 as a strategist and interim chief revenue officer. He previously worked for WBUR in Boston from 1997–2024 as a corporate sales representative, assistant manager of corporate support, special projects manager and director of membership and campaign strategy. Steffon was also part of the team that helped launch WRNI, the precursor to The Public’s Radio in Rhode Island, as a WBUR outpost in 1998. The Public’s Radio and Rhode Island PBS merged in 2024 to form Ocean State Media.

“At a time when journalism faces significant challenges, I believe trusted, independent local media matters more than ever,” Steffon said on LinkedIn. “I’m excited for what lies ahead and grateful for the opportunity to help ensure this work continues to thrive for the communities we serve.”

“Ocean State Media is at a moment of both challenge and opportunity. While we navigate the loss of federal funding and a rapidly changing media landscape, we are also experiencing exciting growth in our audience and tremendous support from our community of donors,” said CEO Pam Johnston in a news release. “We are reimagining public media in Rhode Island and Mike has been and continues to be an integral part of our strategy.”

Jennifer Houlihan Roussel announced that she no longer works for New York Public Radio as VP of communications.

“Recently, as part of a leadership restructure, I wrapped up 22 incredible years at New York Public Radio,” Roussel said on LinkedIn.

Citing unnamed sources, Semafor reported that NYPR CEO Christy Tanner decided to replace Roussel with a new head of communications.

Roussel joined NYPR in 2003 as publicity manager and was also associate director of publicity, director of publicity and senior director of publicity before starting the VP role in 2016.

“My proudest contribution to the internal culture of NYPR: successfully advocating for a policy to permit bereavement leave for employees who experienced pregnancy loss. My punchiest tagline, post-CPB defunding: ‘You Can’t Defund the Truth!’” she said in her post, adding “I’m taking intentional time to reflect, recharge, and reconnect with the passions and people who mean the most to me before diving into what’s next.”

Engagement

Stephanie Rogers left her position as manager of audience engagement for Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville, N.C. Rogers joined the station in 2023 as communications manager and started her most recent role last year. “From growing our social following by 750% to leading our national award-winning audience engagement strategy during Hurricane Helene, I am tremendously proud of the work I accomplished in this role, even in the face of great challenge,” she said on LinkedIn.

Content

Eric Teel is stepping down as PD of WFAE in Charlotte, N.C. Teel joined the station in 2022. “I’m incredibly proud of what our team has accomplished,” Teel said in an email to Current. “Charlotte is a vibrant and growing market with enormous opportunities for public radio.” Teel told Current he is seeking opportunities at other public media organizations.

Jeff Spurgeon, a morning host for New York Public Radio classical music station WQXR, will retire in September. Spurgeon joined the station in 1996 and is also co-host of Carnegie Hall Live. Paul Cavalconte, weekend morning host, will be the interim weekday morning host. “What a wonderful adventure it has been to explore the world of classical music with the listeners of WQXR. Now, after a long, rich season of 30 years at the station, it is time to conclude my part in that adventure,” Spurgeon said in a news release. “I am unceasingly grateful to my employers for the opportunities I’ve been given, to my colleagues for their collaboration and support, and to WQXR listeners for their kindness. I shall continue to be a listener and financial contributor, and I look forward to what’s next at the station as WQXR, later this year, begins its 10th decade of service to classical music in New York City.”

Thomas Pablo was hired as an Indigenous affairs reporter for KOSU in Stillwater, Okla. His position is supported by Report for America and Tulsa Flyer, a nonprofit newsroom. Pablo graduated from the University of Oklahoma this year and is a descendant of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in western Montana. He joined KOSU last year as an intern through the Inasmuch Foundation’s Community Fellowship. “I’m really excited to have not only the opportunity to report, but to report on a subject very close to my family,” Pablo said in a KOSU news story. “Interning at KOSU was a phenomenal experience last summer, and I’m lucky to be continuing that journey full time. I hope to contribute much-needed Indigenous coverage and mitigate ongoing news deserts alongside my colleagues.”

Josie Fischels is leaving her position as arts and culture reporter for Iowa Public Radio to join NewsNation in Chicago as digital content producer. She joined IPR in 2022 as a digital news producer and started the reporter job in 2024. At IPR, she helped launch the station’s TikTok and social video initiative. “I’m so grateful for the mentorship I received there from such a talented crew of journalists, and so proud of what I accomplished … .” she said on LinkedIn. “I’ll always be indebted to IPR for fostering my big ideas and giving me room to experiment and grow as a journalist.”

Fellowships

The Reynolds Journalism Institute at the Missouri School of Journalism selected two Oregon Public Broadcasting employees for its 2026 class of RJI Professional Innovation Fellows. Margaux Maxwell, director of platform and product, and Arya Surowidjojo, EP of Oregon Experience, will build a cooperative digital publishing platform for independent and creator journalists doing investigative and community reporting across the country. “Across the U.S., newsroom closures, hedge fund ownership and layoffs have dramatically reduced institutional reporting capacity,” Maxwell and Surowidjojo said in a joint statement. “Creator and independent journalists are filling the gap, but without traditional newsroom supports. Many come to rely on platforms where algorithm changes or demonetization can destabilize entire reporting operations. This puts accountability reporting, the core function of journalism and one we cannot afford to lose, at risk. This civic journalism technology aims to build the collective infrastructure needed to support and protect it.”

New York Public Radio’s WNYC/Gothamist newsroom named Maddie Bristowe and Mariana Navarrete Villegas associate producers as part of a two-year reporting program supported by the Tow Foundation. Bristowe is joining the Digital News and Audience Team. She previously worked as a digital communications associate for WYPR in Baltimore. Villegas will join the Community Partnerships Desk. She was previously the Hartford community engagement reporter for The Connecticut Mirror, where she assisted with English- and Spanish-language journalism projects.

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