Rocky Mountain Public Media (RMPM) has appointed Amber Payne as its new chief experience officer, a role designed to enhance the organization�s content strategy across journalism, civic engagement, radio, and programming teams. Payne brings extensive experience from her previous position as publisher and general manager for The Emancipator, a digital magazine under Howard University. Her background also includes leadership roles at BET.com, Teen Vogue, and NBCBLK, an NBC News initiative.
In other developments, Darrell Brogdon, the program director at Kansas Public Radio, has announced his retirement after over four decades with the station. While he will step down from his administrative role, Brogdon will continue to host The Retro Cocktail Hour and other programming. Jeff Watson, a classical music host, is set to succeed Brogdon as the host of Film Music Friday in March.
Southern Oregon PBS has appointed Lily Herwald as the new director of donor relations. Herwald previously served as the director of development and communications for Southern Oregon Friends of Hospice and has a long history in public broadcasting, including a tenure as general manager of KCAW in Sitka, Alaska.
In technology news, Andy Gunn has joined Inrush Broadcast Services as director of project management and process engineering. Previously the director of broadcast engineering at WAMU in Washington, D.C., Gunn aims to enhance project execution and team coordination in his new role. Additionally, Jennifer Coombes has been appointed as morning editor at Colorado Public Radio, bringing her expertise from previous roles in social media and digital content management.
Lastly, America�s Public Television Stations recently conducted board elections, resulting in the reelection of Dolores Fernandez Alonso as chair and Adrienne Fairwell as professional vice chair. New trustees include Andrew Batt from Iowa PBS and Dana Elmquist from New Mexico PBS, among others, indicating a shift in governance as the organization prepares for future challenges in public media.