Wednesday morning the Broadcasting Board of Governors met for the first time since the sudden departure of CEO and Director Andrew Lack in March. Lack left his job after only about two months to rejoin NBC as head of that network”s news division.
BBG oversees VOA, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Radio and TV Martí, Radio Free Asia and the Middle East Broadcasting Networks.
BBG Chair Jeffrey Shell said at the meeting that the CEO position has attracted the attention of some “very qualified candidates” as he and the search committee continues to work through the process of finding a new chief executive. Shell is being assisted by a team that includes Robert Bole, director of Global Strategy for BBG and Suzie Carroll, executive director.
BBG’s Director of Global Operations André Mendes continues to serve as interim BBG CEO and director.
“BBG and its networks are in a better place today than at any time before. Our operations are in a better place,” Shell said. “We must remain focused on efforts in the former Soviet Union and on countering ISIS.”
Wednesay’s meeting was also the first since Voice of America Director David Ensor announced he was leaving the agency. Ensor thanked colleagues and the board at the meeting for “the honor” of serving VOA since 2011. Ensor, a former reporter for NPR, ABC News and CNN, will stay on with VOA through the end of May.
“It’s been a privilege to serve with so many fine Voice of America journalists,” Ensor said while addressing the board.
Officials with the Office of Cuba Broadcasting also delivered a presentation at this morning’s meeting in Washington that stressed the importance of maintaining the current level of services despite a move by the United States to normalize relations with communist-run island nation. Radio World will have more on that.
