Tanner chosen WTCI board chair
James F. Tanner has been was named chair of the Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corp., the governing board that holds the FCC license and oversees operations of Chattanooga’s PBS affiliate station, WTCI-TV. His term began July 1,
2021. The Greater Chattanooga Public Television Corporation holds the FCC license to operate and govern WTCI-TV PBS, Chattanooga’s public television station.
Joining Tanner on the 2021-22 executive committee are Daniel Fell as vice-chair; Cole Powell as treasurer; Meredith Perry as interim secretary; Steve Gatlin, the past chair, and directors Bonnie Hathcock, Kerry Hayes and Edna Varner, along with station CEO Bob Culkeen.
Tanner was raised in Ringgold, Georgia, and now lives in Chattanooga, where he currently works as a faculty member of the department of communication at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Prior to his current position, Tanner spent 14 years as a journalist at the Chattanooga Times Free Press and four years as deputy director of communications and marketing at The McCallie School. He is a graduate of Oxford College of Emory University with an associate’s degree in liberal arts, UTC with a bachelor’s degree in political science, and the University of Southern California with a master’s in communications management.
Tanner was appointed to WTCI’s board in 2019 and has served on the executive committee in 2020-21.
“WTCI has been a part of my life since childhood,” Tanner said. “I am deeply honored to have this opportunity to serve in this capacity and help further the mission of the station in bringing the best in educational, news and entertainment to everyone in Chattanooga and the surrounding area.”