New Chief for OETA

Following an extensive nationwide search, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority  Board of Directors has unanimously selected Daniel L. Schiedel as the statewide public television network’s new executive director.
 
Schiedel will officially begin his tenure at OETA on November 5. OETA Deputy Director of Finance and Administration, Toni Matthews, will serve as interim executive director. Schiedel replaces John McCarroll, who served as OETA executive director for nine years and will retire September 28.
 
Schiedel comes to OETA with more than 21 years of experience in public broadcasting, including his current post as general manager at KRSC-TV/RSU Public Television in Claremore, Oklahoma. Prior to that, he was general manager of the statewide Wyoming Public Television Network and has served at public television stations in Missouri and South Dakota.
 
“On behalf of the OETA Board of Directors, I would like to welcome Dan to the OETA family,” Dr. James Utterback, Chairman of the OETA Board, said. “We are thrilled to find a highly qualified professional with impressive public broadcasting management experience and an Oklahoma background. We look forward to his furthering OETA’s educational mission for Oklahoma’s children and citizens.”
 
While serving as general manager for the Wyoming Public Television Network, Schiedel greatly increased state support for its operations and digital conversion. Also, at RSU he significantly increased membership numbers and underwriting revenues, developed award-winning productions and built strategic partnerships. Schiedel also has a strong record of building relationships with elected officials, community leaders and key stakeholders.
 
“I am humbly honored to be named as the next Executive Director of OETA and I look forward to working with the Board and the great award-winning staff of OETA,” Schiedel said. “It is my intent to let everyone know about the life-changing programs and services that OETA provides to every Oklahoma citizen. And as one of Oklahoma’s prized crown jewels, I believe that OETA has a number of opportunities to prove that we can be a major solution to many of the state’s economic and social problems. OETA is one of the state’s greatest assets in which all Oklahomans can be very proud to boast about and support.”
 
Utterback said the board wished McCarroll well in his retirement and unanimously approved a resolution of appreciation for his service to the state of Oklahoma that included naming the OETA management conference room, “The John McCarroll Conference Room.”