WINNIPEG – After 17 years in the job, Jean La Rose, APTN’s CEO, will be leaving the network on Dec. 31, 2019 to pursue new challenges, said APTN board chair Jocelyn Formsma.
The announcement comes at a time that suits both the organization and its leader, given the recent renewal of the network’s licence for a five-year term, says the company’s press release.
La Rose and the board have been planning for this and his current contract ends in 2019. The announcement will give the organization time to prepare for the transition.
“On behalf of the Board, we are very grateful to have worked with Jean over the years. We continue to maintain our full trust and confidence in him as we discuss engaging his services going forward. He has provided inspiring leadership to APTN and we have watched the network grow under his vision,” said Formsma in the release.
The broadcaster will be launching a national search to identify its next CEO.
La Rose has overseen tremendous growth of the national Indigenous broadcaster, including the creation of APTN’s distinct linear channels, being a consortium partner in the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, the establishment of arms-length enterprises such as Animiki See Digital Productions and Animiki See Distribution, and the licencing and launch of two radio stations, ELMNT FM Ottawa and ELMNT FM Toronto, notes the release.
Most recently, the network also conducted the first-ever broadcast of a National Hockey League game in an Indigenous language, Plains Cree.
“I am proud of the team of people at APTN that made all of this possible,” says La Rose, in the release. “APTN has many reasons to be proud of its growth and success over the last 20 years. Our employees are second to none, and credit for our achievements goes to them.”
APTN aims to have a successor identified by late October
