Big Shuffle at CPB

The new president and chief executive officer of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Patricia Harrison, has made several promotions to help her round out her senior staff. At the same time, several staffers have left, including former executive vice president and chief operating officer Ken Ferree, who was previously FCC Media Bureau chief.
Steve Altman, a 9-year staffer, has been promoted to senior vice president, business affairs. Most recently vice president, business affairs, he is the architect of CPB’s contract and procurement policies and has handled agreements for stations such as securing music rights.
Greg Schnirring has been promoted to vice president, radio. Schnirring, most recently senior director, radio, has 20 years in senior management in public radio, including posts at South Dakota’s nine-station network and Wisconsin Public Radio, where he developed a plan to convert the network to digital broadcasting. CPB says he’ll be particularly involved in extending public radio’s reach to underserved audiences through digital radio’s multi-channel capacity.
Brian Sickora has been promoted to vice president, TV system development. Most recently senior director, TV system development, will continue to oversee the development and delivery of CPB’s TV grants.
J. Westwood Smithers, Jr. was appointed general counsel earlier in the week.
Ferree left recently to join California law firm Sheppard and Mullin, which is expanding its Washington telecom practice, according to a CPB spokesman. Fred DeMarco, executive vice president and advisor to Harrison, will take on Ferree’s duties while the organization seeks his replacement.
Ferree had joined CPB in March and was named acting president when Kathleen Cox left last April; he had said he would like that job. CPB picked Harrison, a former co-chairman of the Republican National Committee supported by board chair Ken Tomlinson, for the job in June.
Tomlinson left the board when his term was up in September amid charges he was trying to politicize CPB into a right-wing organization.
David Creekmore, CPB’s chief financial officer and treasurer, has resigned from CPB effective Nov. 1.