Fred Rogers names new CEO as Isler retires

Pittsburgh-based The Fred Rogers Company has named Paul Siefken as its new president and CEO after the long-serving Bill Isler decided to retire.

Fred Rogers is behind kids TV series such as Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, Peg + Cat and Odd Squad, with Isler leading the business for the more than three decades.

However, current VP of broadcast and digital Siefken (pictured), who’s been with the company since 2013, will succeed him on January 1, 2017.

“Paul is the perfect leader to take The Fred Rogers Company to the next important phase in its exciting evolution,” said Isler. “I’ve been fortunate to have had the chance to work closely with Paul for a number of years now, and I know that the company and its mission benefits greatly from his creativity, integrity, and vision.

Siefken will “look to further develop the company’s existing and new partnerships to ensure that it continues to present the very best in educational children’s media on broadcast and digital platforms, and beyond”, according to Fred Rogers.

Prior to joining Fred Rogers, Siefken spent nearly ten years at US pubcaster PBS, where he rose to director of children’s programming. He has also produced interactive content for Cartoon Network.

Fred Rogers was founded in 1971 as a the non-profit producer of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, which was a PBS kids series.