Iowa PBS Executive Director & General Manager Elected to the National PBS board

PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger announced the election of five leaders in public media to serve as professional directors on the PBS Board of Directors, including Iowa PBS Executive Director and General Manager Andrew Batt. 

The 27-person PBS Board includes both professional directors, who are station leaders elected by PBS member stations, and general directors, who are lay members elected by the board. The board provides strategic guidance and oversight to PBS, ensuring that the organization continues to deliver high-quality, educational, and inspiring programming to more than 330 member stations and their local viewers.

 Batt has spent more than 20 years in public media, holding leadership roles in journalism, production, programming, and executive management. Before being named executive director in 2024, he served in several senior leadership positions at Iowa PBS, helping oversee local programming, statewide public affairs coverage, digital initiatives, and content strategy. Throughout his career, he has led teams responsible for public affairs, agriculture coverage, documentaries, education initiatives, sports telecasts, and election coverage.

“Our board of directors plays a vital role in helping PBS deliver the programming and services American audiences count on from public broadcasting," Kerger said. “Each of these leaders understands what the American people need from public media, and I am grateful for the perspectives they bring. Their voices will help guide our system through one of the most consequential periods in our history." 

During this meeting, four other individuals were elected to serve as general directors on the PBS board and board officers were elected. In addition to Batt, the board elected Jennifer Cook, executive director and assistant vice president of WUCF TV & FM; Adrian Velarde, general manager of KRWG Public Media; Susan Goldberg, president and chief executive officer of GBH; and Greg Petrowich, president and CEO of WFYI Public Media. 

With more than 330 member stations, PBS offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 42 million adults on linear primetime television, more than 15 million users on PBS-owned streaming platforms, and 56 million people view PBS content on social media, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature, and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front-row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’s broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from Pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS LearningMedia for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. As the number one educational media brand, PBS KIDS helps children 2-8 build critical skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality content on TV — including a PBS KIDS channel — and streaming free on pbskids.org and the PBS KIDS Video app, games with the PBS KIDS Games app, and in communities across America. The full release on the recent PBS Board election can be found at pbs.org.