WJCT Public Media announced that executive Geri Cirillo will serve as interim president and CEO of the organization following the retirement of David McGowan on April 17.
In an April 21 news release, the Jacksonville media organization said Cirillo had held several leadership positions at WJCT through a career spanning more than 30 years. Her most recent role was senior vice president and chief operating officer.
McGowan served eight years as president and CEO, starting in January 2018. WJCT announced his retirement in October.
“Geri possesses a comprehensive understanding of WJCT Public Media’s audiences, community partners, team members and opportunities. Her institutional knowledge is matched only by the trust she has earned across our editorial, underwriting and development operations, as well as the donor community that supports our mission,” said Bill Hendrich, chair of WJCT Public Media’s board of trustees, in the release.
The community-owned and -funded organization said it is working with DRiWaterstone, an executive search, leadership and advisory firm, on a national search for WJCT’s next long-term president and CEO.
WJCT said Cirillo’s board-approved appointment “ensures consistency in the organization’s executive team.”
She will work with Editorial Director Jessica Palombo and Vice President of Development Sarah Dobson to expand the organization’s multiplatform reach and programming.
“Our team is well-positioned to carry David McGowan’s legacy of innovation forward. As we look to the future, I’m humbled to serve in this capacity and ensure that our team has the support, guidance and resources to deliver on our mission every day,” Cirillo said in the release.
WJCT said the appointment comes amid audience growth and engagement that includes its digital-first platform, Jacksonville Today, surpassing 60,000 subscribers to its newsletter and in-person events drawing record attendance in 2026.