James Tanner
James F. Tanner was named Board Chair of the Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corporation Board of Directors, the governing board of WTCI-PBS. His term began July 1.
The Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corporation holds the FCC license to operate and govern WTCI-TV PBS, Chattanooga’s public television station.
Joining Mr. Tanner on the 2021-2022 Executive Committee are Daniel Fell, vice-chair; Cole Powell, treasurer; Meredith Perry, interim secretary; Steve Gatlin, past chair; Bonnie Hathcock; Kerry Hayes; Edna Varner, Ed.D; and Bob Culkeen, WTCI President/CEO.
Jim Tanner was raised in Ringgold and now lives in Chattanooga, where he currently works as a faculty member of the Department of Communication at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Prior to his current position, Mr. Tanner spent 14 years as a journalist at the Chattanooga Times Free Press and four years as deputy director of communications and marketing at The McCallie School. Jim is a graduate of Oxford College of Emory University with an AA in Liberal Arts, UTC with a BS in Political Science, and the University of Southern California with a Masters of Communications Management. Jim was appointed to WTCI’s Board of Directors in 2019 and has served on the Executive Committee in 2020-21.
“WTCI has been a part of my life since childhood,” Mr. Tanner said. “I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to serve in this capacity and help further the mission of the station in bringing the best in educational, news and entertainment to everyone in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. It is an exciting time to take on this role at WTCI, and I look forward to what the board and the station’s staff will be able to accomplish over the upcoming year.”
Mr. Tanner offered thanks to outgoing Board Chair, Donald Jernigan, who has served on the WTCI Board of Directors and served as the 2020-2021 Board Chair. “I, first of all, would like to thank Don Jernigan for his leadership during the past year,” Mr. Tanner said. “His steady hand brought us through a challenging year, and WTCI is now poised for even greater accomplishments going forward.”
WTCI President Bob Culkeen welcomed Mr. Tanner and the members of the WTCI Board of Directors at their July 21, 2021 board meeting. Mr. Culkeen said, “It is an honor to be working with a board of talented and outstanding individuals, who are committed to the mission of WTCI and public media. With your involvement we look forward to another great year of service to the Greater Chattanooga Community.”
Serving on the 2021-2022 WTCI Board of Directors are David Barrett, Julie Brandao, Justin Dumsday, James Fedusenko, DDS, Jeffrey W. Gefter, MD, Barbara Haskew, Jerre Haskew, Sheryl Jaggers, Florence Pipkins, T. D. Scott, Cindy Todd, Martin Trimiew, and Jo Ann Yates.
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