By Tom Latek
Kentucky Today
Renee Shaw retired from Kentucky Educational Television at the end of July, but her retirement didn’t last long. She has been tapped as the public broadcasting network’s new executive director and CEO.
A search committee comprised of current and former chairpersons of the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television, KET’s governing board, began work on selecting a new executive director after Shae Hopkins announced her retirement earlier this year. They made their recommendation to the full board for a vote today.
Shaw, who spent nearly three decades at KET as a journalist, producer and host, succeeds Hopkins, who passed away last week.
“Renee brings to this role an extraordinary understanding of Kentucky, a deep commitment to public service and a genuine appreciation for the important role KET plays in the lives of people across the Commonwealth,” said G. Dan Griffith, chair of the Kentucky Authority for Educational Television. “I have no doubt Renee will proudly take the torch from Shae and continue building on her great work.”
During her career at KET, Shaw became one of Kentucky’s most familiar voices on public affairs and public policy. As host and moderator of Kentucky Tonight, election coverage, KET forums and more, she interviewed policymakers, community leaders and Kentuckians from across the Commonwealth while exploring issues important to the state. As Director of Public Affairs, she also oversaw the expansion of this area for KET, including the nightly Kentucky Edition program.
Shaw will lead all of KET’s statewide public media services, including its work in classroom educational resources and original programming celebrating Kentucky’s history and culture.
“KET has been such an important part of my life, and it is an incredible honor to have the opportunity to lead an organization that means so much to Kentucky,” Shaw said. “Throughout my career, I’ve had the privilege of listening to Kentuckians and sharing their stories. Although we all are dealing with heavy hearts right now after the passing of Shae Hopkins, I look forward to building on the strong foundation she and others helped build and working alongside our talented staff and partners to ensure that KET continues to inform, educate and connect people across the Commonwealth for generations to come.”