Ferree Named New COO of CPB

Ken Ferree, former chief of the Federal Communications Commission’s Media Bureau, was named chief operating officer of the Corporation of Public Broadcasting Monday.

“Ken brings to CPB a strong commitment to public service, significant management experience and broad knowledge of the factors affecting our industry. I cannot think of anyone more qualified to help public broadcasting leverage its assets,” CPB CEO Kathleen Cox said in a prepared statement.

Ferree joined the FCC in 2001, taking charge of the agency’s effort to expedite the transition to digital-only TV broadcasting. He left March 4 before the agency could complete work on his plan to end the transition Dec. 31, 2008.

A private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967, CPB spends about $387 million annually on programming and grants for public radio and TV stations around the country.