The Radio Television Digital News Association will have a new leader come January.
President/CEO Dan Shelley will retire after 25 years with the organization. Executive Director Tara Puckey will succeed him.
The change comes at an important time for the organization, amid concerns over the relationship between journalists and the federal government, and how the First Amendment applies when tensions arise between the media and the Trump administration.
“Shelley has been one of the nation’s most tireless advocates for press freedom, transparency and open government on behalf of RTDNA and the RTDNA Foundation, the association’s charitable arm,” the organization said in its announcement.
He has been a board member since 2000. He was chair of the board in 2005–06 and foundation chair the following year. In 2017, Shelley he was hired as executive director, later transitioning to president and CEO. RTDNA said he “has been instrumental in defending press freedom and promoting journalistic excellence.”
During his tenure the group changed its name after decades as the “Radio Television News Directors Association.” He also launched RTDNA’s Voice of the First Amendment Task Force.
He is former senior vice president of digital content strategy for iHeartMedia in New York City; former senior vice president of interactive at Urban One; and a former local news director, executive producer and reporter in both radio and TV.
Tara Puckey joined RTDNA in 2018 as director of strategic initiatives. She was promoted to chief staff officer in 2020 and became executive director in 2022. Before RTDNA, she held positions at the Society of Professional Journalists, including interim executive director, deputy executive director and membership strategist. She is a Certified Association Executive and Certified Meeting Professional.
