Arlington, VA; June 23, 2022—Today, PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger announced that Mark G. Contreras, President and CEO of Connecticut Public, has been elected to the PBS Board of Directors as a Professional Director. Contreras fills a seat vacated by Susi Elkins, former director of broadcasting and general manager of WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University. His term will end in the fall of 2023, at which time he will be eligible for re-election to another term.
Contreras has served as President and CEO of Connecticut Public since 2019. Previously, Contreras led several media businesses through digital transformation. Prior to his role at Connecticut Public, he served as Dean of the School of Communications at Quinnipiac University. Earlier, Contreras served as CEO of Calkins Media, a privately held local television, digital and local newspaper publishing company. During his tenure, the company developed innovative strategies to maximize audience reach, engagement and revenue by embracing streaming media platforms such as Roku, Amazon Fire and Apple TV. He previously led local newspaper publishing and digital businesses for three public companies including Capital Cities/ABC; Pulitzer, Inc; and The E.W. Scripps Co. In addition, he has served as Chairman of the News Media Association and the American Press Institute.
“We are delighted to have Mark join the PBS Board of Directors,” said Kerger. “His broad experience in the television, digital, news and publishing industries will be incredibly valuable in the ever-changing media environment we are working in today.”
The 27-person PBS Board includes both Professional Directors, who are station leaders, and General Directors, who serve as lay members of the Board, as well as the PBS President.
PBS member stations elect the Professional Directors. The General Directors are elected by the entire Board, as are the PBS President and the Board officers.
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