Ohio State University selects new Thomas Rieland Endowed General Manager of WOSU Public Media
The Ohio State University has named Anthony Padgett as the new Thomas Rieland Endowed General Manager of WOSU Public Media. Padgett brings more than 30 years of industry experience, most recently serving as president and CEO of South Carolina ETV (SCETV) in Columbia. His first day leading WOSU will be Monday, March 6.
“I am honored to be joining the team at WOSU and excited about the opportunity to build upon the station’s legacy of impact and service,” Padgett said. “I believe this is a transformational time for public media and that we at WOSU can enhance the lives of those we serve like never before.”
Padgett led the SCETV and SC Public Radio teams in providing valuable services, important information and compelling content to the state of South Carolina. Like WOSU Public Media, SCETV is grounded in an educational mission and community outreach.
Under his leadership since 2017, SCETV, a statewide public media network with 11 television stations and eight radio stations, expanded both its national reach and its statewide impact by amplifying local voices and focusing on issues important to the community. Padgett also encouraged the use of SCETV’s robust broadcast infrastructure to address important needs, such as South Carolina’s digital divide, and focused on diversity, equity and inclusion within the public media system.
“Anthony is an energetic and exciting public media leader with an extremely broad base of experience in digital media innovation, content development and inclusivity in program engagement,” said Betsy Pandora, executive director of the Short North Alliance and president of the Friends of WOSU Board. “His dynamic and daring approach to leadership is the perfect complement to the amazing reputation that WOSU has built in its 100 years of service to central Ohio and beyond. The Friends of WOSU Public Media Board is thrilled to welcome such a respected and inspiring new leader and we look forward to all that is to come under his leadership.”
During his tenure with SCETV, Padgett was active with multiple national and local organizations, including the Organization of State Broadcast Executives, National Educational Telecommunications Association, Public Media Business Association, Greater Public, Affinity Group Coalition, American Public Television and the National EBS Association. Prior to serving as president and CEO for SCETV, Padgett was chief operating officer for Georgia Public Broadcasting in Atlanta overseeing a $32 million annual budget.
Padgett takes over for Ronnie Agnew, who left WOSU Public Media in October 2022. Padgett becomes just the seventh leader in WOSU’s 100-year history. WOSU recently opened a new broadcast headquarters located at 1800 N. Pearl St. in the 15+HIGH University District. The five-floor, 52,000-square-foot building is designed to be accessible and to inspire innovation, collaboration and community connections.
“Anthony is the right person at the right time to lead WOSU,” said Jay Kasey, senior vice president of The Ohio State University’s Office of Administration and Planning. “He inherits a great media organization with a rich history and is well-positioned to help WOSU thrive in its new facility.”
Padgett began his career in broadcasting in the U.S. Air Force in 1992 and has worked for a variety of broadcasters since 1996, including a stint as senior vice president of content and operations for Jacksonville’s WJCT and 11 years at WBCC-DTV in Cocoa, Florida. He graduated from Brevard Community College in Cocoa, Florida, and went on to receive a Bachelor of General Studies and his Master of Business Administration from Columbia College in Missouri.
The public media executive recruiting firm NETA Consulting successfully conducted the national search that resulted in this naming of WOSU’s next general manager.