Leadership Overview
PBS has 8 executives leading key functions including strategy, operations, technology, finance, production, and legal affairs.
Committed to educational excellence and cultural enrichment, PBS delivers high-quality television programming and digital content to audiences across the United States, fostering lifelong learning through public media.
Committed to educational excellence and cultural enrichment, PBS delivers high-quality television programming and digital content to audiences across the United States, fostering lifelong learning through public media.
Leadership Roles at PBS
Jenny Jackson - Chief Executive Officer
Jenny Jackson, the Chief Executive Officer at PBS, directs the overarching strategic vision and long-term growth initiatives for the organization. Jackson oversees the alignment of programming goals with the mission of providing educational and cultural content to a national audience. By collaborating with the Board of Directors, the Chief Executive Officer ensures the sustainability of public media funding and the expansion of digital distribution channels. This leadership role involves navigating complex regulatory environments while maintaining the integrity of the brand. Jenny Jackson drives the development of partnerships that enhance the reach of public broadcasting across diverse demographics. Through rigorous oversight of organizational performance, the Chief Executive Officer maintains the standard of excellence expected from a premier media entity. Jackson secures the future of the network by prioritizing innovation in content delivery and audience engagement strategies across all platforms.
Bernie Pope - Chief Financial Officer
Bernie Pope, the Chief Financial Officer at PBS, manages the fiscal health and budgetary planning for the entire organization. Pope oversees the allocation of capital toward programming development and infrastructure investments, ensuring that financial resources align with the core mission. The Chief Financial Officer monitors revenue streams from grants, sponsorships, and member station contributions to maintain long-term solvency. By conducting detailed financial audits and risk assessments, Pope provides the transparency required for institutional accountability. This role involves working closely with the executive team to forecast economic trends and adjust spending strategies accordingly. Bernie Pope drives the implementation of cost-saving measures that maximize the impact of every dollar spent on public media. Through rigorous financial oversight, the Chief Financial Officer secures the economic foundation that allows the network to continue producing educational and cultural programming for the public.
Thomas Tardivo - Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer
Thomas Tardivo, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer at PBS, directs the treasury functions and investment strategies that safeguard the organization's assets. Tardivo oversees the management of cash flow, debt obligations, and endowment funds to ensure liquidity for ongoing operations. The Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer coordinates with external financial institutions to optimize banking relationships and capital structures. By analyzing market volatility, Tardivo develops hedging strategies that protect the organization from economic fluctuations. This leadership role involves reporting directly to the Board on financial performance and compliance matters. Thomas Tardivo drives the development of long-term financial models that support the expansion of broadcasting capabilities and digital initiatives. Through the precise management of treasury operations, the Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer maintains the fiscal discipline required to sustain the network's commitment to high-quality, non-commercial media production.
Johnathan Barzilay - Chief Operating Officer
Johnathan Barzilay, the Chief Operating Officer at PBS, manages the daily operational workflows and internal infrastructure required to support national broadcasting. Barzilay optimizes the efficiency of content distribution systems, ensuring that programming reaches member stations across the country without interruption. The Chief Operating Officer coordinates cross-departmental efforts to streamline production schedules and resource allocation. By analyzing operational metrics, Barzilay identifies opportunities for process improvements that reduce overhead while increasing output quality. This role requires constant interaction with regional stakeholders to ensure that the operational framework supports the broader mission of public media. Johnathan Barzilay executes complex logistical plans that facilitate the seamless delivery of television and digital assets. Through the implementation of robust management systems, the Chief Operating Officer maintains the operational stability necessary for the organization to thrive in a competitive media landscape.
Cari Stein - Immediate President and Executive Producer
Cari Stein, the Immediate President and Executive Producer at PBS, oversees the creative direction and production quality of flagship programming. Stein manages the development of documentary series and educational content, ensuring that every project adheres to the high standards of public media. The Immediate President and Executive Producer coordinates with creative teams to bring compelling narratives to the screen, focusing on themes that resonate with a broad national audience. By supervising the production lifecycle from concept to final edit, Stein maintains the artistic integrity of the network's offerings. This leadership role involves balancing creative vision with budgetary constraints to deliver impactful content. Cari Stein drives the collaboration between independent filmmakers and the network to diversify the programming portfolio. Through the curation of high-value content, the Immediate President and Executive Producer strengthens the brand's reputation as a leader in educational and cultural television.
Scott Nourse - Chief Technology Officer
Scott Nourse, the Chief Technology Officer at PBS, architects the digital infrastructure and broadcast systems that power the network. Nourse oversees the integration of advanced streaming technologies and cloud-based platforms to modernize content delivery for contemporary viewers. The Chief Technology Officer manages the technical teams responsible for maintaining the reliability of the national broadcast signal and digital archives. By evaluating emerging media technologies, Nourse ensures that the organization remains at the forefront of digital innovation. This leadership role involves securing the network against cyber threats while optimizing data management protocols. Scott Nourse drives the transition toward scalable, high-definition distribution models that enhance the user experience across mobile and web applications. Through the strategic deployment of technical resources, the Chief Technology Officer supports the expansion of the digital footprint, ensuring that high-quality content remains accessible to audiences everywhere.
John Tollefson - Vice President Chief Technology Officer
John Tollefson, the Vice President Chief Technology Officer at PBS, leads the research and development of next-generation broadcast standards. Tollefson oversees the implementation of interoperable systems that allow for seamless content sharing between local stations and the national hub. The Vice President Chief Technology Officer manages the engineering teams focused on hardware upgrades and signal processing improvements. By fostering innovation in broadcast engineering, Tollefson ensures that the network maintains superior transmission quality across all regions. This role involves collaborating with industry partners to establish technical benchmarks for the future of public media. John Tollefson drives the adoption of automated workflows that increase the speed and accuracy of content distribution. Through the application of advanced engineering principles, the Vice President Chief Technology Officer enhances the reliability of the broadcast network, ensuring that viewers receive consistent, high-quality programming regardless of their geographic location.
Jill Patrone - Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary
Jill Patrone, the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary at PBS, manages the legal affairs and corporate governance protocols for the organization. Patrone oversees the drafting of contracts, intellectual property protection, and compliance with federal broadcasting regulations. The Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary provides counsel to the executive team on matters of risk management and policy development. By ensuring that all operations align with legal standards, Patrone protects the network from litigation and regulatory challenges. This role involves maintaining the corporate records and facilitating communication between the Board and the leadership team. Jill Patrone drives the implementation of ethical guidelines that govern the organization's interactions with partners and the public. Through the diligent application of legal expertise, the Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary ensures that the network operates with the transparency and accountability necessary for a public-facing media institution.
.png?resize=960x,no-scale-up)
Explore Leadership Teams in Broadcasting
Founded in 1926, The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial terrestrial radio and television network owned by NBCUniversal, a subsidiary of Comcast. They are headquartered in New York City, New York.
Company Leadership
CW
SL
CNN is a global news organization providing news coverage and information across various media platforms.
Company Leadership CS
CC
LP
MV
Allen Media Group is a global media, content and technology company founded in 2019. The company delivers entertainment and information across multiple platforms, with a focus on their mobile and OTT streaming app, LOCAL NOW. This platform offers thousands of hours of movies, TV shows, local weather, traffic information, and over 400 fast channels. Allen Media Group also operates HD cable lifestyle channels and multi-platform programming, serving both business and consumer markets across North America with digital media solutions and technology services.
Company Leadership PS
HM
NOVA Entertainment is Australia's fastest growing entertainment company with broad interests across the media industry. NOVA Entertainment owns and operates the Nova Network, the most listened to metro network in Australia, which includes Nova 96.9 Sydney, Nova 100 Melbourne, Nova 106.9 Brisbane, Nova 937 Perth and Nova 919 Adelaide. In addition, NOVA Entertainment also owns and operates smoothfm in Sydney and Melbourne, the talk station FIVEaa in Adelaide and Star 104.5 on the NSW Central Coast and three digital radio stations - smoothfm, Coles Radio and Koffee. The company's radio stations are complemented by a range of digital assets across social, mobile and online which leverage the company's content to provide new growth opportunities. These assets include Nova's Red Room, the experiential and music event brand, smooth channel on FOXTEL, the smooth Festival of Chocolate, the biggest podcast offering in the Australian market through a partnership with Acast, the newly launched millennial platform GOAT, a mobile only product, and the recent strategic partnership with the world's leading e-sports company ESL.
Company Leadership SJ
AB
PC
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding PBS Top Executives and Leadership Team
