Douglas Named Senior VP and Station Manager

Oregon Public Broadcasting has named Jeff Douglas to the new position of senior vice president of programming and station manager. He is charged with providing strategic leadership to OPB's local television services including programming, local/regional program development/production, and television and radio technical operations.

Douglas, who joined OPB in 1980, was previously vice president of Local Productions and the executive producer and host of Oregon Art Beat. He also spent nine years as a reporter for Oregon Field Guide.

He came to OPB from KGW-TV news where he spent 12 years as executive producer, assignment editor and producer. As one of two founders of KINK radio, Douglas served as program director for four years before taking over as general manager.

Douglas has produced several award-winning documentaries, including Hanford: Environmental Fallout and Oregon's Memorable Century. A half-hour special on non-point source pollution that aired on Oregon Field Guide won a NETA (National Educational Television Association) award. Along with an OPB-produced teacher guide, that program has been used by nearly 4 million school children to learn what they can do to help keep our rivers clean.

OPB Names Martin Executive Producer of Oregon Art Beat

Oregon Public Broadcasting has named Jessica Martin executive producer of Oregon Art Beat. Martin has served as a writer and producer for OPB since joining the organization in 1987.

Her extensive repertoire includes four years covering outdoor subjects for Oregon Field Guide and producing stories from accordion players to violinists for Oregon Art Beat. She also produced the historical documentary Rose City Remembered for which she won a regional Emmy.

Martin's Emmy-nominated Growing Up And Growing Old: Caring For Our Parents evolved into The Way Home documentary, which won a Freddy at the International Health and Medical Media Awards. She also received the Helen Hayes Award for best all-around production.

Prior to joining OPB she worked in radio (KWJJ/KJIB), and commercial television (KOIN TV, Portland's CBS affiliate). She is a graduate of the University of Oregon in film, broadcasting and writing.

McKay Named VP of Engineering at OPB

Oregon Public Broadcasting has promoted Don McKay to vice president of Engineering. McKay, who has over 30 years experience in television broadcasting, joined OPB in 1999 as director of the Engineering Network Center, responsible for the design and implementation of the conversion of analog to digital for both radio and television.

Prior to joining OPB he was with Southern Oregon Public Television for 18 years where he served as chief engineer, COO and interim general manager. He also spent five years with CIM associates as TV engineer, producer and director.

OPB Launches Expanded News Web Site

Oregon Public Broadcasting, one of the most respected sources of news, has just enhanced its coverage with the launch of an expanded news Web site at opbnews.org.

"OPB's expanded news site is the first of many steps designed to elevate our attention and commitment to news on the Web," said Morgan Holm, vice president of News & Public Affairs. "It offers more local and regional news from a wider variety of sources, along with an online discussion forum."

"News and information programs on radio and television have large and loyal audiences on OPB. Many more OPB listeners and viewers now want access to news and information on their schedule and wherever they may be," said Steve Bass, president and CEO. "Putting more of OPB's respected and trusted program content onto the Web allows us to provide a public service that goes well beyond the geographic boundaries of television and radio signals, as well as the time limitations of radio and television program schedules."

Visitors to opbnews.org can get the latest local, state, national and international news, and traffic reports. In addition, a range of streamed and downloadable programming is available, including a library of episodes of FRONTLINE. In addition, podcasts or audio downloads of many of OPB's most popular radio programming is available, including a daily online-only program featuring news and information from around Oregon, southwest Washington and the region.

Another new feature is the "Town Square" online discussion forum, where Web users can post comments and engage in civil discourse about major issues impacting the Northwest. "Whether the conversation is taking place in Washington, D.C., in our state and local governments, or with your next-door neighbor, people are seeking ways to constructively address and move forward on issues as diverse as the damming of Celilo Falls, the Beacon Bill, school funding and global warming, to name a few," said Lynne Pollard, vice president of Interactive Web. " 'With Town Square,' our goal is to create an online community dedicated to exploring the challenges we face and the options and opportunities for change."

The site will continue to evolve, Holm explained, adding that a news staff person will be assigned to file material primarily for the online news page. "We anticipate more original reporting, photography and in-depth news coverage unique to opbnews.org and complementary to our broadcast news efforts," he said.

OPB Elects Three New Board Members

Oregon Public Broadcasting elected three new members to its board of directors at the organization's March board meeting. Elected to serve three-year terms from July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2010 are: Tinker Hatfield, vice president of Innovation, Design and Special Projects at Nike in Beaverton; Jim Huston, managing director of Blueprint Ventures, a technology growth capital firm in Portland; and Elizabeth Schwartz, a partner at Perkins Coie LLP in Portland.