Comings and goings: Blue Ridge Public Radio hires CEO, WNET appoints GM …

Ele Ellis was hired as CEO and GM of Blue Ridge Public Radio in Asheville, N.C.

Ellis takes over for interim CEO and GM Tim Roesler, principal for Roesler Management Partners. The previous permanent leader was Jeffrey Pope, who left the station for “personal and professional reasons” in November, according to a news release.

Ellis most recently worked for WUWM in Milwaukee, starting in 2020 as content manager and later as VP of content and programming. She’s also been PD for WKSU in Kent, Ohio; PD for WUGA in Athens, Ga.; associate GM and director of programming for Boise State Public Radio in Idaho; and held several roles at WNCW in Spindale, N.C.

“We are very excited to bring Ele on board at BPR,” said Board Chair Travis Childs in a news release. “Her career experience is broad and deep, particularly in content and programming, an area where leadership is critically important for us.”

The WNET Group in New York appointed Dana Roberson as GM of Thirteen, its flagship station, and of production operations.

Roberson joined WNET in 2018 as GM and EP for PBS News Weekend when it was produced by the organization. Roberson, who’s also been EP of special projects, will now oversee daily operations for Thirteen and will be responsible for leading the production management, production services, design and on-air promotions teams. She will report to Diane Masciale, VP and GM of WLIW in Long Island and co-executive in charge of All Arts.

Before joining WNET, Roberson was a producer for The Takeaway at New York Public Radio. She’s also been a producer for 60 Minutes, CBS Sunday Morning and AXS TV with Dan Rather.

“Dana has successfully led multiplatform production and delivery for numerous documentaries and specials,” said WNET CEO Neal Shapiro in a news release. “Elevating her to lead Thirteen and Production Services is a natural progression, and we’re excited to have her in this new role.”

David Brinkley was named executive director for WUWF Public Media in Pensacola, Fla.

Brinkley succeeds Pat Crawford, who retired from the station after working there since 1982.

Brinkley most recently worked for WKU Public Broadcasting in Bowling Green, Ky., since 1998. His titles included director, TV station manager and senior producer. He’s also been a field producer and videographer for Kentucky Educational Television.

“WUWF has a demonstrated record of excellence and relevance in northwest Florida, and it is an honor to join such a well-established and talented team,” Brinkley said. “My focus areas will include continued growth, community service, emergency weather notification services, and an enhanced level of student engagement. The University of West Florida has demonstrated success with student career readiness, and we want to enhance those opportunities throughout our operations.”

PBS News Hour promoted its co-anchors.

Geoff Bennett and Amna Nawaz signed new contracts to remain with the program and were named co-managing editors. Bennett and Nawaz have been co-anchors for the daily evening program since 2023. 

“These new titles of co-managing editor reflect the way Amna and Geoff work with each other and the staff,” said Sara Just, SVP for WETA in Washington, D.C., and senior EP of PBS News Hour, in a news release. “Their editorial input is reflected in all aspects of our program. I am so grateful to partner with them both as we consider the daily challenges for journalism and our newsroom.”

Content

Sarah Tory joined Aspen Public Radio in Colorado as a reporter for the station’s recently launched Women’s Desk. In a news release, the station said it will seek to understand “the status of women through economic, sociocultural, regulatory, technological and news-making contexts.” Tory most recently worked as an editor for Better Trail, an outdoor lifestyle company. She’s also been a correspondent for High Country News. As part of the initiative, Aspen Public Radio will join The 19th News Network, a collective of publishers working to improve racial and gender equity in politics and policy journalism.

Governance

Greater Public announced changes to its board. Bill Johnson, GM of WRTI in Philadelphia, was elected board chair, succeeding DeLinda Mrowka, chief revenue officer for KQED in San Francisco. Johnson most recently served as vice chair and was replaced by Ashley Alvarado, CEO of Texas Public Radio. Tammy Terwelp, CEO of KUNC in Greeley, Colo., was elected secretary, succeeding PRX CEO Kerri Hoffman. The organization also elected five new board members: Brendan Kinney, COO of Vermont Public; Alejandra Santamaria, CEO of Southern California Public Radio; Chandra Kavati, president of American Public Media; Jake Fenske, VP of digital membership for New York Public Radio; and Jim Rademaker, GM of WGVU Public Media in Grand Rapids, Mich.

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