When January 1 rings in the New Year, Rus Peotter will no longer be spending his days and frequently nights as WGBY’s General Manager.  As Rus steps down after 15+ years of service, we’re fortunate to be the benefactors of his education legacy.  We also hope to continue benefiting from his expertise, wisdom and passion for public media’s power to educate, enrich lives and improve communities — essential elements of WGBY’s Mission.

With enthusiasm and commitment, Rus has been a friend to educators, children and families in our region. He’s served on numerous committees for early childhood education, been responsible for programs such as As Schools Match Wits and the Latino Youth Media Institute (LYMI), and shown strong support for Ready to Learn Initiatives and PBS LearningMedia.  These are just some examples of how Rus has led WGBY in its efforts to make a difference in young people’s lives.

Personally, I’m grateful to have served at WGBY during part of  Rus’s tenure as General Manager, always finding his door open and his energy focused on serving the needs of our community.  We thank him for his service and wish him and his family well as he moves on.

To see coverage of Rus’s retirement, you can follow any of these links:

WGBY’s tribute video shown at a recent celebration

MassLive at The Log Cabin that evening

A farewell announcement from Rus

And, should you like to contribute, The Rus Peotter Community Engagement Fund donation form.