NBR Pressroom

30-Year Veteran of WPBT and NBR Promoted to Succeed Linda O’Bryon, who Heads to Northern California Public Broadcasting

December 5, 2006 - Miami -- Rodney Ward has been named executive editor of the Emmy-award winning Nightly Business Report and senior vice president, NBR Enterprises, it was announced today by WPBT-TV in Miami. In his new role, Ward assumes leadership of Nightly Business Report, the longest running and most widely watched nightly business newscast, which is distributed nationally by PBS to more than 250 public television stations. He will be responsible for all editorial content of the program and oversee all business, marketing and website operations for NBRE, which includes the production of NBR and its in-depth specials and consumer-related educational products.

Ward, who had served as managing editor for the program since 1996, succeeds founding executive editor Linda O’Bryon, recently named chief content officer for Northern California Public Broadcasting, which includes KQED, KTEH and KCAH. O’Bryon helped create NBR in 1979 and was one of the program’s original anchors, serving in that role for 12 years before moving into management.

“Much of the editorial success of NBR is due to Rodney’s leadership,” said WPBT President & CEO Rick Schneider. “He is an articulate defender of the mission of the series and is enthusiastic about its future potential. I’m confident he is the right person to lead NBR into the next era.”

November marks Ward’s 30th anniversary with WPBT. He joined the South Florida PBS affiliate as a producer/reporter in 1976 and was involved in numerous news and public affairs programs, including The Week Ends Here, Politithon, Issues and the Media, Camera Two, Viewpoint, televised trial coverage including The State of Florida vs. Ronnie Zamora, and various other public affairs specials.

In 1979, NBR launched as a 15-minute local program and Ward was one of its original reporters. During his tenure he has also served as producer, traveling correspondent, assignment manager and Washington bureau chief/correspondent.

In 2002, Ward was the recipient of the prestigious Silver Circle Award, presented by the National Academy Television Arts & Sciences, Suncoast Chapter. In 2005, he led the editorial team of NBR to its first national Emmy for its coverage of China's Emergence as an International Economic Power.

Ward began his broadcasting career in July 1975 as a news reporter with radio station WVCG/WYOR-FM in Coral Gables. He is a graduate of the University of Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in broadcasting. Ward was raised in Miami where he currently lives with his wife and teenage son.

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