Tom Hudson’s interim tag is gone for good. WLRN Public Media Miami has named Hudson its permanent Chief Executive Officer following a nationwide search, formalizing the role he has held since May, as South Florida’s public broadcaster settles into permanent leadership.
As CEO, he will oversee WLRN’s television, radio, digital, journalism and community engagement operations, while helping shape strategy for reaching audiences across the region.
Hudson previously served as WLRN’s Vice President of News before returning to the organization as Senior Economics Editor and Special Correspondent, and earlier was managing editor and co-anchor of PBS’s Nightly Business Report. He also enjoyed a stint as Chief Content Officer at Washington, DC’s WAMU.
With the move to permanent CEO, Hudson will step down as host of The Florida Roundup, WLRN’s weekly statewide public affairs program covering the politics, economy, environment, culture, and news shaping Florida. WLRN Broward County Bureau Reporter Carlton Gillespie will take over hosting duties. Gillespie began his career at WLRN as an intern and has since covered Broward County while regularly appearing on The Florida Roundup as a reporter, guest, and fill-in host.
Hudson will remain on air, however. This fall, he plans to revive The Sunshine Economy, the program he created and hosted for a decade, exploring the people, businesses, industries, and economic forces shaping South Florida.
South Florida Public Media Group Board of Directors Chair Cheryl Wilke said, “This is a critical time for public media, and Tom has the right mix of journalistic integrity, collaboration, and innovation to take WLRN into the future.”
WLRN Chief Executive Officer Tom Hudson commented, “WLRN has an extraordinary opportunity to build on the trust we have earned in South Florida while finding new ways to be essential to the communities we serve. That means Florida-focused journalism, compelling local programming, meaningful community engagement, and creating more opportunities for South Floridians to understand and participate in the issues shaping this region. I am incredibly proud of this organization, the community which supports it, and excited about what we can build together.”
