Jordan L. Siegler has been appointed Interim Executive Director of Wisconsin Public Media. Siegler, who currently serves as Associate Director of WPM, steps into the role following the sudden passing of Executive Director Heather L. Reese in October.
Siegler joined WPM, a division of the University of Wisconsin–Madison that oversees PBS Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Radio, in 2015. His roles have included Interim Chief Development Officer for WPR and Managing Director of Corporate Giving and Events for PBS Wisconsin.
As Interim Executive Director, Siegler will lead an organization of approximately 280 full-time and 60 part-time staff with a $35 million budget derived from diverse funding sources such as university, state, and federal allocations; audience memberships; sponsorships; and events.
UW-Madison Senior Director for the Arts and Media Amy Gilman commented, “I am confident Jordan will lead the organization with the same integrity and vision that is the hallmark of WPM leadership. With Jordan’s leadership, the division will continue to set strategic priorities to ensure that PBS Wisconsin and WPR remain the essential, high-quality services that have such a positive impact across Wisconsin.”
Wisconsin Educational Communications Board Executive Director Marta Bechtol added, “I have worked with Jordan since he began his public media career and I am inspired by his commitment to our statewide services. Although we are grieving, our strategy remains clear, and our organization is strong.”
Siegler said, “It is a wholehearted honor to answer the call to serve Wisconsin communities through public media and to build upon the remarkable legacies of WPR and PBS Wisconsin. At the same time, I am deeply saddened by the loss of Heather, my mentor and friend. Thanks in large part to her, I am now prepared to carry our mission forward with resilience.”
