Iowa PBS appoints new executive director and general manager. Meet Andrew Batt

Andrew Batt joins Iowa PBS as the new executive director and general manager, the broadcasting network announced on Jan. 23.

Batt departs from his current position of director of production and programming at Iowa PBS and will begin his new role Feb. 2, according to a news release from Iowa PBS.

“Andrew Batt is an award-winning producer who started at the television station as a college intern and worked his way up through Iowa PBS,” said board president Courtney Maxwell Greene in a news release. “He brings passion, experience and production expertise to the role of executive director and general manager and is poised to lead the talented team of media professionals.”

In his role, Batt will direct and organize the activities of the network, according to the news release.

Batt was appointed to the position through a unanimous vote by the Iowa Public Broadcasting board after a months-long search. He replaces Molly Phillips, who announced her retirement last year after more than 30 years with the broadcaster.

Batt brings to his new role nearly 20 years of experience in production and programming development in “the PBS system for all aspects of content creation,” according to the news release. That’s in addition to more than a decade of experience in management and his work in growing digital engagement, expanding award-winning programming and more.

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Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.