Pillsbury Named CEO of PBS Western Reserve

KENT, Ohio – Natalie Pillsbury has been named president and chief executive officer of PBS Western Reserve.

Pillsbury, who starts her new job on March 20, succeeds David Rotterman, who held the top position for just three weeks before dying unexpectedly last summer. His appointment followed the retirement of Trina Cutter, who served the organization for 21 years.

Pillsbury has worked in public media since 2015, first at WKSU in a senior leadership role managing major gifts, grant fundraising programs and strategic planning. Since 2021, she has served Ideastream Public Media as director of strategic content initiatives, where she leads the digital content team and the multiple media journalism and production team. She has been a member of the organization’s strategic operating team and a member of the senior team in content.

A native of Kent, Pillsbury graduated from Kent State University with a bachelor’s degree in journalism in 2007 and a master’s degree in public administration in 2023.

PBS Western Reserve is the brand name for Northeastern Educational Television of Ohio, Inc. (NETO). It comprises television stations WNEO, serving the greater Youngstown area, and WEAO, serving Akron, Canton and Cleveland. Pillsbury is the eighth leader in over 50 years for the organization, which was established in 1971.

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