Arlington, VA; September 15, 2016 – PBS today announced that public television veteran James E. Dunford has been appointed Vice President, Programming and Operations. Dunford will assume this new role on Monday, October 3, and will report to Michael Kelley, Senior Vice President, Programming & Business Affairs.
In his new role, Dunford will be responsible for the leadership of PBS content services and operations in support of PBS’ award-winning programming, including program screening, program packaging, and standards and archiving. He will also help define and implement the technology strategy that supports the content business, such as project tracking, program delivery and metadata management. In addition, Dunford will support the management of content strategy and planning, business strategy and analysis, and will manage key grants and related reporting, as well as financial management of non-program production activities.
Prior to joining PBS, Dunford spent 27 years at PBS member station WGBH in Boston. Most recently, he served as Managing Director for AMERICAN EXPERIENCE, television’s most-watched history series, where he directed operations including strategic planning for content distribution and presentation, audience development, promotion, communications, post production and digital production. Prior to assuming that role in 2015, Dunford served as Director of Board Relations and Development Operations, managing all activities of the WGBH Board of Trustees. Previously, he spent 12 years as Series Manager and Post Production Manager for AMERICAN EXPERIENCE.
“Jim is a highly regarded leader in the public media community,” said Kelley. “His nearly three decades with WGBH have given him extensive experience and proven knowledge across broadcasting, strategic planning and operations, making him an outstanding choice for this role for PBS.”
“I have dedicated my career to public media and am excited to bring the experience I’ve gained at AMERICAN EXPERIENCE and WGBH to PBS,” said Dunford. “I look forward to leading PBS’ content services and operations team and working with the entire programming team to further PBS’ mission.”
Dunford is a graduate of Boston College, where he has also served as an adjunct professor. He will be based at PBS’ offices in Crystal City, VA.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 33 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS’ premier children’s TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents’ and teachers’ most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the Internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
CONTACT:
Jennifer Rankin Byrne, PBS, 703-739-5487, jrbyrne@pbs.org
