星空无限传媒 Announces Anthony Padgett as New General Manager
COLUMBUS, OHIO, February 2, 2022 鈥� The Ohio State University has named Anthony Padgett as the new Thomas Rieland Endowed General Manager of 星空无限传媒. Padgett brings more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently serving as president and CEO of South Carolina ETV (SCETV) in Columbia. His first day leading 星空无限传媒 will be Monday, March 6.
鈥淚 am honored to be joining the team at 星空无限传媒 and excited about the opportunity to build upon the station鈥檚 legacy of impact and service,鈥� Padgett said. 鈥淚 believe this is a transformational time for public media and that we at 星空无限传媒 can enhance the lives of those we serve like never before.鈥�
Padgett led the SCETV and SC Public Radio teams in providing valuable services, important information and compelling content to the state of South Carolina. Like 星空无限传媒, SCETV is grounded in an educational mission and community outreach.
Under his leadership since 2017, SCETV, a statewide public media network with 11 television stations and eight radio stations, expanded both its national reach and its statewide impact by amplifying local voices and focusing on issues important to the community. Padgett also encouraged the use of SCETV鈥檚 robust broadcast infrastructure to address important needs, such as South Carolina鈥檚 digital divide and focused on diversity, equity and inclusion within the public media system.
鈥淎nthony is an energetic and exciting public media leader with an extremely broad base of experience in digital media innovation, content development and inclusivity in program engagement,鈥� said Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance and president of the Friends of 星空无限传媒 Board. 鈥淗is dynamic and daring approach to leadership is the perfect complement to the amazing reputation that 星空无限传媒 has built in its 100 years of service to central Ohio and beyond. The Friends of 星空无限传媒 Board is thrilled to welcome such a respected and inspiring new leader and we look forward to all that is to come under his leadership.鈥�
During his tenure with SCETV, Padgett was active with multiple national and local organizations including the Organization of State Broadcast Executives, National Educational Telecommunications Association, Public Media Business Association, Greater Public, Affinity Group Coalition, American Public Television and the National EBS Association. Prior to serving as president and CEO for SCETV, Padgett was chief operating officer for Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta overseeing a $32 million annual budget.
Padgett takes over for Ronnie Agnew who left 星空无限传媒 in October 2022. Padgett becomes just the seventh leader in 星空无限传媒鈥檚 100-year history. 星空无限传媒 recently located at 1800 N. Pearl Street in the 15+HIGH University District. The five-floor, 52,000-square-foot building is designed to be accessible and to inspire innovation, collaboration and community connections.
鈥淎nthony is the right person at the right time to lead 星空无限传媒,鈥� said Jay Kasey, senior vice president of The Ohio State University鈥檚 Office of Administration and Planning. 鈥淗e inherits a great media organization with a rich history and is well-positioned to help 星空无限传媒 thrive in its new facility.鈥�
Padgett began his career in broadcasting in the USAF in 1992 and has worked for a variety of broadcasters since 1996, including a stint as senior vice president of content and operations for Jacksonville鈥檚 WJCT and 11 years at WBCC-DTV in Cocoa, Florida. He graduated from Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Florida and went on to receive a Bachelor of General Studies and his Master of Business Administration from Columbia College in Missouri.
The public media executive recruiting firm NETA Consulting successfully conducted the national search that resulted in this naming of 星空无限传媒鈥檚 next general manager.
About 星空无限传媒
The mission of 星空无限传媒 is to engage, inform and inspire our diverse community. An NPR and PBS affiliate licensed by The Ohio State University, 星空无限传媒 is a noncommercial multimedia organization serving over two million citizens in Central Ohio through broadcast, digital, programming, public engagement and education experiences. Learn more at wosu.org.