Karen Feagins named new leader of Jacksonville’s WJCT public broadcasting outlets

Jacksonville’s public media headquarters is getting new leadership, sort of.

Karen Feagins has been named President and CEO of WJCT, the home of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) and National Public Radio (NPR) broadcasting outlets for the First Coast well into South Florida. Feagins is filling the position that was vacated by David McGowen, who retired in April.

Geri Cirillo filled that slot on an interim basis until Feagins was given the nod. Cirillo will return to her post as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer when Feagins assumes the top job Aug. 31.

For Feagins, getting the job is a return to the public broadcasting outlets after parting ways in 2018. She was with WJCT beginning in 2003, where she rose from reporter to Chief Operating Officer. She left to become Client and Community Relations Director for PNC Bank in the North Florida market.

She maintained connections to WJCT when she was at PNC serving on the broadcast outlet’s Board of Trustees. Bill Hendrich, Chair of the WJCT Public Media Board of Trustees and Chair of WJCT’s Executive Search Committee, said Feagins is the right fit for the top slot.

“Karen represents exactly what we were looking for as the next leader for WJCT Public Media. She is a talented executive who has a passion for public media and serving the community in which she lives,” Hendrich said.

“Her career path provides great insight into the needs of all the communities that make up WJCT’s service area. I am excited to welcome her back as our new President and CEO.”

Feagins said she looks forward to returning to what she considers a professional home.

“Public media provides a vital service to this community, and my goal is to build on WJCT’s incredible momentum so more people can experience the value of public media in their daily lives,” Feagins said.

“I have always been inspired by the passion and dedication of the people at WJCT and their commitment to serving our community. The perspective I’ve gained from the private sector will help us continue to innovate to best serve our audiences, while remaining rooted in the principles of public media.”

WJCT’s radio operation is an NPR outlet on 89.9 FM and Channel 7 for the PBS outlet on television in Jacksonville.