New leaders to be named for Erie's WQLN PBS NPR in wake of Tom New's retirement

With Tom News' retirement Friday from WQLN PBS NPR, Erie's public television and radio affiliates will need a new leader.

WQLN's Board of Directors is expected this Monday to appoint Cindy Spizarny as the new president and CEO of WQLN. Spizarny had been the vice president and general manager.

She began working at WQLN in 2001 as the controller and was named vice president and general manager in 2013, according to information from WQLN. A graduate of California University of Pennsylvania with a bachelor's degree in management information systems, she was the assistant controller at RentWay Inc. beginning in 1987.

Spizarny serves as an accounting consultant for Temple Anshe Hesed and is on the Parish Council at St. Julia Catholic Church. She served as a Millcreek Sewer Authority board member for 12 years. Spizarny is married and has two children.

Also at WQLN, Alyson Amendola will assume the role of vice president of advancement, Kathy Woodard will be director of education, and Aaron Coseo will be vice president of engineering and media operations.

Q&A: Tom New talks about his long career at Erie's WQLN television and radio

New praised Spizarny and the others who will lead WQLN.

"We are poised to do so many great things that will in so many ways benefit the community," he said before his retirement.

New's retirement marks the beginning of a new era for WQLN with continued dedication to providing quality educational and entertainment content for the Erie community under the leadership of Spizarny, according to the release.

Dana Massing can be reached at dmassing@timesnews.com.

This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: New leaders take charge at WQLN PBS NPR following Tom New's retirement