Prairie Public Broadcasting's president and CEO is leaving Fargo for a similar position with Maine Public Broadcasting.
Mary Anne Alhadeff, who began working for Prairie Public in 2000, told the board of directors this week she has been hired as president and CEO for the Maine broadcasting company.
Alhadeff said the opportunity allows her to continue working with public broadcasting while providing a better market for her husband, David, who works as a business consultant.
"We looked at it from a family perspective," Alhadeff said.
Although Alhadeff said she would have liked to stay in North Dakota longer, she couldn't pass up the opportunity.
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"It's been just an absolutely wonderful experience here in North Dakota," she said.
Alhadeff said Maine Public Broadcasting is similar to Prairie Public in its dedication to local production. Both companies license public television and public radio.
Maine Public Broadcasting is larger than Prairie Public. It has a budget of $15 million compared with Prairie Public's $7 million.
Alhadeff said she'll do most of her work from the Lewiston location, but the company also has headquarters in Portland and Bangor.
Maine isn't exactly unfamiliar territory to the Alhadeffs. Before moving to Fargo, the couple lived in Kittery, Maine, while she worked for New Hampshire Public Television.
A St. Paul native, Alhadeff began her career in 1979 with Twin Cities Public Television. She later headed arts and performance programs for a Seattle public television station.
John Q. Paulsen, chairman of Prairie Public's board of directors, said the board is sorry to lose Alhadeff, who has a strong background in public broadcasting.
Paulsen said the board will conduct a search of internal and national candidates for the position.
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Alhadeff said she's proud of the membership support increase Prairie Public experienced during her tenure.
In the past 18 months, membership increased 10 percent and major gift donations increased 75 percent, she said.
Alhadeff will continue with Prairie Public for one month. She starts working in Maine Aug. 19.
Readers can reach Forum reporter Amy Dalrymple at (701) 235-7311
