Press Release
COLUMBIA, S.C.- After six years as President and CEO, Anthony Padgett is departing South Carolina ETV and Public Radio (SCETV). Padgett's last day at SCETV will be March 3, and he will begin his new role as the Thomas Rieland Endowed General Manager of WOSU Public Media in Columbus, OH on March 6.
Since 2017, Padgett has led SCETV's efforts to provide valuable services, important information and compelling content to the state of South Carolina. Under his leadership, SCETV 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's robust broadcast infrastructure to address important needs, such as South Carolina's digital divide. Through initiatives, like datacasting, at-home-learning and wireless hotspot and local broadband projects, the network has leveraged its unique assets to better serve the citizens of the state and strengthen local partnerships.
Padgett has also worked to move the needle on diversity, equity and inclusion in the public media system. In 2019, he participated in the prestigious Diversity Leaders' Initiative at Furman University's Riley Institute. Inspired by the experience, Padgett collaborated with the Riley Institute to establish a public media-focused version of the program. Launched in spring 2021, the Public Media Diversity Leaders' Initiative incorporates collaborative exercises, scenario analyses and audio/visual tools to introduce strategic diversity, equity and inclusion frameworks to guide development of actionable plans for leaders in public media.
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.
Padgett succeeded former SCETV President and CEO Linda O'Bryon, who resigned from her seven years of leadership in 2015. Prior to serving as President and CEO for SCETV, Padgett was Chief Operating Officer for Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta, overseeing the organization’s day-to-day operational needs, including technology services, content creation and distribution, digital and education innovations and business services.
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's 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.
At WOSU Public Media, Padgett takes over for Ronnie Agnew who left in October 2022 and his first day as General Manager for WOSU will be Monday, March 6. An NPR and PBS affiliate licensed by The Ohio State University, WOSU is a noncommercial multimedia organization serving over two million citizens in Central Ohio through broadcast, digital, programming, public engagement and education experiences.
Until a replacement is identified, the agency will be led by the SCETV Executive Team, consisting of our Assistant General Manager Stephanie Cook, Chief Technology Officer Mark Jhanke, Chief Content Officer Tabitha Safdi, Chief Learning Officer Salandra Bowman, Chief Public Information Officer Landon Masters and Chief Human Resources Office Thom Mayer.
