CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Jerry Wareham, who oversaw the growth of public broadcasting into a multimedia community service organization as the president and CEO of Ideastream, has announced plans to retire.
Wareham, 68, said on Friday that he will retire after Ideastream's board of trustees names a successor. The search has begun, according to a statement from the board, but no timetable has been set.
"I'll be here for a while. I still have a lot of work to do," said Wareham, who will help the transition with Ideastream Chief Operating Officer Kit Jensen, who will continue in her role.
Wareham had worked in public broadcasting for more than 20 years in Ohio, Virginia, Maine and his native Iowa when he came to Cleveland in 1993 as president and general manager of what was then WVIZ Channel 25. He succeeded founding President Betty Cope, whom he called "a legitimate pioneer and legend who created a very stable organization," and he said his goal was to build a vision for community service.
He became chief of Ideastream in 2001, when the nonprofit consortium was created through the merger of WVIZ and WCPN FM/90.3. The organization opened its widely used headquarters on Playhouse Square in 2006, and received ownership of listener-supported classical programmer WCLV FM/104.9 in 2011.
During his tenure, WVIZ became WVIZ/PBS, with four television channels, and Ideastream came to encompass the Civic Commons, a community engagement program; the Ohio Public Radio and Television Statehouse News Bureau and the Ohio Channel, and technology training for educators.
"All of that is the result of the work of other people," Wareham said. "We've got a staff and volunteers who walk through brick walls and over hot coals.
"Northeast Ohio is a special place, with a tradition of civic innovation and support."
Wareham has been chairman of the board of America's Public Television Stations and vice chairman of the board of PBS, and has served on numerous community and industry boards and committees. He said he and his wife, Anne, who live in South Russell, plan to stay in Northeast Ohio.
Kevin McMullen, Ideastream board chair, appointed a committee of trustees to oversee the search. Chaired by Julie Raskind and Bob Smith, it includes Lauren Rich Fine, Bruce Loessin, Stephanie McHenry, Larry Pollock and Dan Walsh.