(Riverton, WY) – Former Wyoming PBS General Manager, Ruby Calvert, has been unanimously elected to chair the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the steward of the federal government’s investment in public broadcasting.
“I am excited for this opportunity to serve and do what I can to make public broadcasting the best it can be,” says Calvert. “I am devoted to public media and want to see it survive and thrive.”
Calvert has served on the CPB board since 2018 and spent the last two years as vice chair. She replaces Laura Ross of New York as chair; the board elected Ross to serve as vice chair. Both Calvert and Ross will serve one-year terms.
Calvert is a lifelong Wyomingite from Riverton. She worked at WY PBS from its inception in 1983 until her retirement in 2015. During her tenure, she served 24 years as director of programming, leading the production team to create the station’s signature series “MainStreet, Wyoming” and “Capital Outlook.” She was general manager and president of the WY PBS Foundation from 2006–15.
“I’m exceedingly proud to have a strong Wyoming representative, who also happened to lead Wyoming PBS to incredible success during her tenure as general manager, at the helm of one of the most prestigious and critical entities meant to assist public media stations across the country,” says Joanna Kail, CEO of Wyoming PBS. “Ruby’s appointment as chair of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting will be a major benefit to the organization overall. Her experience, vision, and leadership will help address challenges and strategize for a better future for CPB.”
Calvert has served on the boards of PBS, America’s Public Television Stations, and the Wyoming State Board of Education, which she chaired for two years.
“We have some big projects coming up over this next year,” Calvert says about the work ahead as board chair, noting a new public media interconnection system, an editorial integrity project, and helping with the celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary.
“I really believe in public television and radio, and I want to see all stations do the best that they can and do well for their communities,” she adds. “It’s all about community and public service.”