Ruby Calvert, former General Manager of Wyoming PBS, has been unanimously elected as Chair of the Board of Directors for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), the organization responsible for overseeing federal funding for public broadcasting, County 10 reports.
Calvert, who has served on the CPB board since 2018 and spent the past two years as vice chair, will take over from Laura Ross of New York, who was elected vice chair. Both will serve one-year terms.
“I am excited for this opportunity to serve and do what I can to make public broadcasting the best it can be… I am devoted to public media and want to see it survive and thrive,” said Calvert.
A lifelong Wyomingite from Riverton, Calvert worked at Wyoming PBS from its founding in 1983 until her retirement in 2015. Over her career, she served 24 years as Director of Programming, overseeing the creation of popular series such as MainStreet, Wyoming and Capital Outlook. She led the station as General Manager and President of the Wyoming PBS Foundation from 2006 to 2015.
Wyoming PBS CEO Joanna Kail praised Calvert’s leadership.
“Ruby’s appointment as chair of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will be a major benefit to the organization. Her experience, vision, and leadership will help address challenges and strategize for a better future for CPB,” Kail said.
In her new role as chair, Calvert will oversee significant projects, including a new public media interconnection system, an editorial integrity initiative, and preparations for the nation’s 250th anniversary celebration.
“I really believe in public television and radio… And I want to see all stations do well for their communities. It’s all about community and public service,” Calvert emphasized.
