Arkansas PBS > Engage > Pressroom > AETN Executive Director Weatherly completes terms on PBS Board
Posted 20 Dec 2013
Allen Weatherly, executive director of the Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) and the AETN Foundation, has completed two consecutive terms on the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) Board of Directors, most recently serving as professional vice chairman for three years.
Weatherly was elected to the board in 2007 and re-elected in 2010 by PBS member stations in a system-wide vote.
"The objective of the PBS board is to serve all of its members well and fairly, irrespective of the size of the station, its role in the system or its license type," PBS Board Chair Geoffrey Sands said. "In that context, Allen made an immeasurable contribution to the PBS board during his years of service, and in many ways is the ideal person, with the perfect temperament, for serving effectively on the board.
"Whenever there was a discussion that involved sensitive or complex issues, we always looked to Allen for his knowledgeable and thoughtful views. He has great sensitivity to differing points of view and is able to come at every issue with understanding and objectively, with absolutely no agenda. Consequently, he just had tremendous respect from me and everyone else on the board."
In addition to serving as vice-chair, Weatherly was a member of: the Executive Committee; the Station Services Committee, which he chaired two terms; the Interconnection Committee, which he also chaired two terms; the Nominating and Governance Committee; and the Strategic Planning Committee. He also served on the following task forces: PBS Policy Review, PBS Editorial Standards Review, Confidentiality Standards Review, and Unserved Areas and Access, which he chaired.
"Being the professional vice-chair was the pinnacle for me in the PBS system," Weatherly said. "I was honored to serve on this excellent and committed board."
Weatherly has served as chair of both the Organization of State Broadcast Executives (OSBE) and the National Educational Telecommunications Association (NETA); is a past member of the Affinity Group Coalition, a policy advisory group made up of public media leaders from across the nation; and has served on two Community Service Grant panels for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB).
Weatherly has been with AETN since 1993, serving seven years as deputy director before taking his current position in January 2001. He has worked in public television for more than 34 years.
The PBS Board of Directors is responsible for governing and setting policy for PBS. In total, the Board comprises 27 members: 14 professional members; 12 general directors; and the PBS president. All PBS Board members serve three-year terms, without pay. The PBS Board includes both professional directors, who are station leaders and elected by station members, and general directors, who represent the general public.
During Weatherly's tenure, in addition to programs and services for all Arkansans, AETN has expanded education services, including a comprehensive professional development website (ArkansasIDEAS) and training program available to Arkansas educators in partnership with the Arkansas Department of Education.
Weatherly is a graduate of Missouri State University, Springfield, Mo., with a degree in history. Prior to AETN, he worked with Ozarks Public Television in Springfield, Mo., from 1980 to 1993, progressing from development associate to senior vice president/director of broadcasting.
PBS, with its nearly 360 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and online content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 123 million people through television and more than 21 million people online, 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. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. PBS' premier children's TV programming and its website, pbskids.org, are parents' and teachers' most trusted partners in inspiring and nurturing curiosity and love of learning in children.
The Arkansas Educational Television Network (AETN) is Arkansas's statewide public television network that enhances lives by providing lifelong learning opportunities for people from all walks of life. AETN delivers local, award-winning productions and classic, trusted PBS programs aimed at sharing Arkansas and the world with viewers. AETN depends on the generosity of Arkansans and the State of Arkansas to continue offering quality programming. For more information, visit aetn.org, or follow the AETN blog at aetn.org/engage. AETN is broadcast on KETS (Little Rock), KEMV (Mountain View), KETG (Arkadelphia), KAFT (Fayetteville), KTEJ (Jonesboro), and KETZ (El Dorado).