PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria public television station WTVP is planning to hire a new president and CEO this week.
Board President John Wieland says the board is scheduled for a special meeting Wednesday evening to approve the search committee’s recommendation for a new leader.
WTVP has been searching for a permanent leader after former president and CEO Lesley Matuszak resigned last September, then found dead in her home the next day. Julie Sanders has been serving as leader in an interim role since then.
The station and board has been in turmoil since the discovery of “questionable” money decisions made prior to Matusazk’s death, and an investigation of spending by her and former finance chief Lin McLaughlin.
Wieland says more than 70 people applied for the job, and three finalists were interviewed earlier this month. He says the candidate selected for the job will help restore trust between 47 and the community.
“As this person gets into the position, they will demonstrate transparency and honesty and really get that community feel once again for our television station,” Wieland said.
Wieland says the candidates were assessed on qualities such as fiscal responsibility, leadership, non-profit experience, and grant writing skills. He says some, such as fiscal responsibility, were weighed more heavily than others.
On Monday, WTVP released a survey for the community to ask questions about the station; such as if they watch, what type of programming they watch, and open ended questions about how 47 can serve the community and them better.
Wieland says the survey is open until April 15th, and is hopeful to get at least 1,000 responses. In just over an hour after it opened, he says 150 responses were received.
Wieland says the survey will serve as a starting point for information for the new president and CEO.
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