KPBS announced Wednesday that its station manager and chief operating officer, Deanna Mackey, is leaving to become executive director of an organization for 38 PBS stations across the U.S.
Mackey, who has worked at KPBS since 1990, will become the first woman to lead the organization and will be the first full-time executive director of the Public Television Major Market Group, of which KPBS is a member.
At KPBS, she worked in editorial, communications and digital roles before being named associate general manager in 1998 and station manager in 2009.
In an email to the KPBS staff, General Manager Tom Karlo called Mackey "smart, fair, strategic, thoughtful and innovative."
"She was instrumental and led the way in implementing our convergence and vision for KPBS to become the best journalism organization throughout San Diego," Karlo said. "Her strategic plan helped to guide KPBS through the most exciting and successful years in our history."
Mackey will assume her new position in August and will continue to live in San Diego. She will succeed Dennis Haarsager, who is retiring after serving as executive director of the Public Television Major Market Group in a part-time consulting role.
“She has deep operational experience and a track record of success at one of the best stations in the country,” Rick Schneider, chairman of the major market group's board of directors, said in a news release.
“She is well-respected in the system and we think she will become a true leader at the national level,” said Schneider, chief operating officer at WETA, the public broadcasting station in Washington, D.C.
In her new public media role, Mackey said she sees an opportunity "to pursue best practices, collaboration and sustainability."
"I have been impressed with the activities of the MMG in recent years and I am looking forward to working with its members to continue to grow public media’s impact and influence.”
Mackey serves on the PBS Digital Media Advisory Committee, chaired the Integrated Media Association and is a founder of the Public Media Women in Leadership Group.
She has also chaired the Board Development Committee for Girl Scouts San Diego.
She earned her bachelor's degree in journalism and political science at San Diego State University.
