Northwest Arkansas Times reports selection of Mark Warren as interim administrator of the CAT

NWAOnline.com

Board Looks To Staff For Interim Manager

By Skip Descant

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

FAYETTEVILLE — The Fayetteville Community Access Television Board looked to its own staff when it selected the interim administrator for the local access television station.

Mark Warren, production coordinator, for the station, will serve as interim head of the organization while the board reviews resumes and selects the next manager.

Kathryn “Sky” Blaylock, who served as manager for the last several years, recently stepped down. Her last day at the station was Tuesday. Blaylock’s last day was originally set as Thursday, but she will take her two final days as sick days, Warren told the personnel committee Tuesday evening.

Having Warren as interim manager was not the choice of Dedra Leaf, the board president. Leaf was concerned about Warren being able to complete his production duties and also wear the hat of administrator.

“My only concern with you Mark, is who’s going to do your job,” Leaf offered.

“Stacking on a few extra duties for me, even if it’s interim, is not going to kill me,” Warren told the board.

Leaf’s choice was Avyi Shoup as interim manager. Shoup, a former station employee, is familiar with the organization, and recently worked under Blaylock as a contract worker. Also being considered was Erin Condiff.

Having an in-house staff member serve as interim manager seemed to be what the rest of the board wanted.

“It would be a smoother transition by having him here already,” said Rose Sparrow, board member, supporting the idea to name Warren as interim manager.

“I think Mark is someone we should seriously think about,” said Bruce Perry, another board member.

For his part, Warren said he plans to apply for the station manager job.

The personnel committee intends to spend the next several weeks fleshing out what exactly it wants in a manager and reviewing resumes.

“I think (the) personnel (committee) needs to meet every week,” Leaf said. “We have that much work to do.”