NHPR Names New President and CEO

A former editor with the New York Times and a veteran of public radio in NY, will lead New Hampshire Public Radio. The NHPR board of trustees appointed Jim Schachter as the new president and CEO, effective Oct. 15.

Schachter comes to NH from the nation’s largest public radio station – WNYC in New York City. There, he served for seven years as vice president for news, managing a staff that grew to 120 people producing national and local radio programs.

During his tenure, WNYC’s reporting prompted federal, state and local investigations and earned some of the most prestigious honors in journalism - including Peabody, DuPont, Polk, national Edward R. Murrow, Third Coast and Sigma Delta Chi Public Service awards. Other achievements included driving diversity efforts in both staff and on-air positions and launching national call-in programs.

“On behalf of the NHPR board of trustees, I’m delighted to announce Jim’s appointment as our next president and chief executive officer” said Peter Burger, chair of the NHPR board. “His experience and perspective reporting from some of our nation’s great newsrooms and managing high-performing teams will be an asset as we work to build upon NHPR’s tradition of excellence, deep community engagement and value to listeners.”

Prior to WNYC, Schachter spent 17 years at The New York Times, working as a senior editor in the business and culture departments and at The New York Times Magazine before rising to the masthead position of associate managing editor. Earlier in his career, he reported and edited for 10 years - primarily on the business beat - at the Los Angeles Times.

“As a successful and forward-looking media organization, NHPR plays an indelible role in New Hampshire’s civic and cultural life, using the power of journalism to help build stronger communities and connections all over the state,” says Schachter. “I so look forward to working with my new colleagues and all of our stakeholders to sustain this remarkable institution and advance its growth. Over the next few months, I’m anticipating many conversations with trustees, donors, community advisory board members, sponsors, partners, my talented staff and listeners – to hear more about the role they each play and discuss how we can work together to help the organization thrive.”

Schachter’s appointment follows a national search for a new chief executive, prompted by the retirement of NHPR president and CEO Betsy Gardella in December 2018. According to NHPR's own reporting on the issue, an outside investigation confirmed "serious management human resources and communication issues" within NHPR. There were no allegations or findings of any financial mismanagement and illegal activities or any sexual harassment by Gardella. But the board of trustees has declined to release the investigator's report.