Rhode Island PBS Selects David
W. Piccerelli President and CEO 
David
W. Piccerelli of Barrington, RI, has been named
president and chief executive officer of WSBE
Rhode Island PBS, the state's only public television
station. Michael B. Isaacs, chairperson of the
Rhode Island Public Telecommunications Authority
(RIPTA), made the announcement after the board
voted to approve Piccerelli's selection at its
meeting on November 18. The Authority is the
governing body that owns and operates WSBE and
holds the broadcast license for its two channels:
Rhode Island PBS (digital 36.1) and Learn (36.2).
"The
board's unanimous decision demonstrates our
confidence in David's leadership," Isaacs said.
"David has the right combination of management
skill and business acumen, as well as a clear
appreciation and enthusiasm for the station's
mission. It's that balance of qualities that
impressed the board, and will serve the station's
best interests now and into the future."
Mr.
Piccerelli joined WSBE in 1998, and was promoted
to vice-president and chief financial officer
in 2003. He has been serving as acting president
since March, when the station's former president,
Robert Fish, left the position on extended medical
leave. Mr. Fish passed away in July.
"I
am honored to have been chosen," said Piccerelli.
"My two predecessors were local broadcasting
legends, who left indelible marks on the station,"
he said, referring to Susan L. Farmer, WSBE's
president for 17 years, and Bob Fish, who was
a commercial radio and television executive
before joining the station in 2005.
"The
broadcast media landscape continues to change
rapidly," observes Piccerelli, who shepherded
the station's complex multi-year $3.8 million
conversion from analog to full digital broadcasting
in 2009. "WSBE has been Rhode Island's source
for educational media for 43 years. But it's
not just about great television anymore. It's
about expanding the traditional definition of
education and moving existing programs and services
in new directions - on-air, online, and in the
community."
Piccerelli said the station's greatest limitation
has only ever been financial, not a lack of
innovative ideas and talent among the staff.
"We've faced many obstacles and challenges over
the years, and have always emerged stronger
and better than before. I see enormous opportunity
for expanding educational media on various platforms.
I'm excited to lead WSBE into this developing
frontier, while preserving our distinctly local
identity," Piccerelli said.
A
Rhode Island native and Barrington resident,
David W. Piccerelli holds a BS in Accounting
from Bryant University. Mr. Piccerelli serves
on a number of professional public broadcasting
committees and associations. Prior to joining
WSBE, Mr. Piccerelli was vice president and
manager of the mergers and acquisitions division
at Centerbank in Waterbury, Connecticut. His
previous position was vice president and corporate
secretary at Capital Strategies Group, Inc.,
in Providence.
Mr.
Piccerelli is also an avid golfer, and serves
as treasurer on the board of the Brad Faxon
Junior Golf Foundation, and president of Rhode
Island Country Club.
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