Austin PBS Boss Announces Retirement

Austin PBS CEO and General Manager Bill Stotesbery, who steps down from his leadership position after 17 years (Image Courtesy of Austin PBS)

The end of an era at Austin PBS. Bill Stotesbery, who has lead the station as CEO and general manager for the last 17 years, will be leaving the PBS affiliate and retiring at the end of next month.

A graduate of the LBJ School of Public Affairs, Stotesbery spent two decades in communications and marketing for an array of Austin-area tech firms before joining the station (then known as KLRU-TV) in 2004. His 17-year tenure has seen the station expand dramatically and achieve noted successes, with 20 Lone Star Emmys and over 100 nominations, as well as the 2009 transition from analog to digital broadcasting, all while seeing the station through some tough economic times. He was also deeply involved in the early success and syndication of the televised version of Austin Film Festival's On Story, and the expansion of its signature program, Austin City Limits, including the landmark shift from Studio 6A on the UT campus, and the establishment of the ACL archive and the ACL Hall of Fame. In 2018, he helped launch the Moving Forward initiative, intended to set a direction for the station for decades to come, including the 2019 rebranding from KLRU to Austin PBS.

Looking back on his career, Stotesbery said, “Working with the Austin PBS staff, Board, and Community Advisory Board has been a great privilege. Austin PBS touches so many in Central Texas, and the chance to join with so many creative people to serve this area has been incredibly rewarding.”

His departure comes as one of the big developments from Moving Forward takes effect: Austin PBS moves its studios and offices from UT's Moody College of Communications to a new home, the Austin Media Center at Austin Community College on the ACC Highland Campus. However, the plan is not simply for the station to be a tenant, but an active part of the college community. Austin PBS Board Chair Laura Beckworth said, "His vision for a new generation of public media, with a new home for Austin PBS and a growing partnership with Austin Community College, will be an important and lasting part of Bill’s legacy to the station and the Central Texas community. "

ACC District Chancellor Dr. Richard Rhodes praised Stotesbery's impact, and wrote, “We all benefit from watching his vision come to life. I hope we can carry his legacy forward to make him proud.”

Stotesbery's last day will be Sept. 30. Austin PBS has yet to make any announcement regarding who will fill his position after his departure.