Arkansas PBS announced Monday that former State Rep. Carlton Wing has been selected as the agency’s new executive director and CEO, bringing more than three decades of leadership experience in broadcasting, media and public service to the state’s only public media network.
Wing, who has represented North Little Rock in the Arkansas House of Representatives since 2017, most recently served as Speaker Pro Tempore of the 95th General Assembly. He also chaired the House Management Committee across multiple sessions, managing internal staff, salaries, budgets and hiring.
In addition to his legislative leadership, Wing has roots in television and media. As owner and president of Wing Media Group since 2008, he has produced programming with both national and local distribution, and as general manager of programming for Dempsey Film Group, he has developed national shows.
Wing also spent more than a decade as a sports anchor and director in markets across the country, including KARK-TV in Little Rock, KREM-TV in Spokane, Washington, and KJZZ-TV in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he also provided play-by-play commentary for collegiate football and basketball.
“Wing brings a unique blend of public service, media innovation and leadership experience to Arkansas PBS,” Woody Freeman, vice chair (acting chair) of the Arkansas Educational Television Commission, said in a press release. “His proven ability to connect with communities across Arkansas makes him the right leader to guide Arkansas PBS into its next chapter.”
Wing succeeds Courtney Pledger, who resigned in May after eight years in the position. He holds a Master of Business Administration from Harding University and a Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Communications from Brigham Young University.
“I am honored to join Arkansas PBS at such a pivotal time,” Wing said in the release. “This agency has a nearly 60-year history of educating, informing and inspiring Arkansans, and I look forward to building on that legacy with new opportunities to engage and serve our state.”
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