OETA to seek out new executive director

From left, OETA station manager Bill Thrash, PBS president Paula Kerger, documentary filmmaker Ken Burns and OETA executive director John McCarroll pose for a photo during the Celebrate Oklahoma's Digital Future event at the Oklahoma History Center, 2401 N Laird Avenue, in Oklahoma City, Wednesday, March 14, 2007. By Nate Billings, The Oklahoman ORG XMIT: KOD

A new executive director will be sought soon for the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA).

John McCarroll, 65, who has served in the position for nine years, has announced his plans to retire from the agency by the end of 2012, according to a news release.

Selection of a new OETA executive director will become a top priority for the network, chairman of the OETA board Dr. James W. Utterback stated in the news release.

McCarroll has overseen the completion of the digital conversion of the Oklahoma network during his tenure, as well as received two regional Emmy Awards for his work on various OETA projects.