ARLINGTON, VA; May 10, 2021— PBS announced today that Mario Vecchi, the broadcaster’s Chief Technology Officer (CTO), will retire at the end of the month. Rhonda Holt, PBS’s current SVP of Information Technology, has been named his successor and will take the reins as CTO beginning in June.
Since joining PBS in 2014, Vecchi has guided PBS and its member stations into the digital world. As the architect of PBS’s technology strategy and planning, Vecchi and his team have strengthened the infrastructure that enables PBS and member stations to connect with the American public, including the successful rollout of Interconnection (sIX). Through close collaboration with PBS Digital, he has also evolved our enterprise-wide technology to support public television’s expansion across mobile TV, online and digital platforms.
“It has been a rewarding and productive period of my career at PBS, and I want to thank all of my colleagues for making the work so satisfying. I must thank Paula and PBS leadership for the trust they placed in me and the support they always provided. The PBS staff, management and member stations are dedicated to the mission, and it was a pleasure to lead the work over these 7+ years of transformation,” said Vecchi. “I am retiring, but will always remain close to the people and the institutions that serve our communities in such an important function.”
As the newly appointed CTO, Holt will lead PBS Technology & Operations, oversee product development and technology infrastructure, and lead PBS’s technology strategy to further support the needs of member stations and viewers.
Holt previously served as the Senior Vice President, Information Technology, where she led the Software Development & Operations function and enhanced the collaboration between Technology & Operations and Digital & Marketing. She also served as the executive sponsor of the Cybersecurity Advisory Committee, a role she will continue as CTO.
“I’m excited and deeply honored to step into the role of CTO for PBS. I strongly believe in the PBS mission, and for me, there is no higher privilege than having the opportunity to continue to help PBS meet the needs of our member stations and viewers. I’m looking forward to serving in this new capacity,” said Holt.
Prior to joining PBS in 2016, Holt pursued an entrepreneurial career at the health technology start-up TrustedCare Inc., where she currently serves as a board member. Before that, she had a long tenure at Turner Broadcasting System, culminating in the role of Senior Vice President, Digital Media Technologies, where she oversaw the delivery of Turner’s web-based products, including website development, deployment and operations for Turner’s new media and mobile businesses in News, Sports and Entertainment. Holt also held previous leadership positions at Sun Microsystems, Inc.; Dell Computer, Inc.; and IBM Corp. Additionally, Holt served as an Executive Committee member on the Board of Public Broadcasting Atlanta until 2016, prior to her coming to PBS.
She received a BS in Computer Science from the University of Florida and is graduate of the Betsy Magness Leadership Institute at the Center for Creative Leadership, as well as a graduate of the NAMIC Executive Leadership Development Program at the UCLA Anderson School of Management. Holt also serves as a board member for the University of Florida Foundation Board and the UF Herbert Wertheim College of Engineering Advisory Board.
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