CPB promotes Kathy Merritt to COO, appoints additional EVPs

CPB promoted several executives to EVP positions Friday.

Kathy Merritt was named EVP and COO and takes over the positions held by Michael Levy, who resigned April 4 because he is recovering from surgery.

In addition, Debra Sanchez was named EVP of government and external affairs and acting corporate secretary. She succeeds Teresa Safon, SVP, corporate secretary and chief of staff. Safon has worked for the corporation since 1999.

“Kathy and Deb are both accomplished professionals with decades of experience in public media who are highly qualified to lead CPB during these challenging times,” said CPB President Pat Harrison in a news release. Levy and Safon will continue to serve CPB as consultants and advisors to Harrison, according to the news release.

As part of her role, Merritt will continue to oversee radio and journalism, system strategies, the Next Generation Warning System, Community Service Grants and the television content departments.  Merritt first joined CPB in 2005 as director of program investments in radio and was promoted to senior director in 2010. She left CPB in 2013 to become VP of content strategy and development for Public Radio International before returning to CPB in 2017 as SVP of journalism and radio. She’s also been SVP of journalism, radio and CSG services. Her most recent title was chief of station and system strategies.

Before joining CPB, Merritt was director of public media strategies for the Station Resource Group and held leadership roles at WAMU in Washington, D.C., and WFAE in Charlotte, N.C.

Sanchez joined CPB in 2010 as SVP of education and children’s content and most recently worked as SVP of educational media and learning experiences. She will continue to lead the education team as well as oversee government and external affairs. As acting secretary, she will work as the liaison between the CPB board of directors and staff. Before joining CPB, she worked for what is now America’s Public Television Stations as VP of government relations.

In addition, Daryl Mintz added EVP to his title and will continue to work as CFO and treasurer. Mintz joined CPB last year.

Evan Slavitt has been promoted to EVP and will retain his title as general counsel. He joined the corporation last year as SVP.