RTDNA President/CEO Dan Shelley to Retire at End of 2025

RADIO ONLINE | Monday, April 14, 2025

Dan Shelley

Dan Shelley, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA), has announced he will retire at the end of 2025, marking the end of a notable career spanning over 25 years with the organization. Shelley's dedication has been central to RTDNA's mission of promoting and protecting ethical journalism.

Tara Puckey, the current Executive Director, is set to take over as President and CEO starting January 1, 2026. This decision comes after a formal vote by the RTDNA Board of Directors last month.

Throughout his tenure, Shelley has been a fervent advocate for press freedom, transparency, and open government. His journey with RTDNA began nearly four decades ago as a member, progressing to board membership in 2000. Shelley held the position of Chair of the Board in 2005-06 and led the RTDNA Foundation the following year. In September 2017, he was appointed Executive Director of the association, and later became President and CEO. His leadership has been pivotal in defending press freedoms and championing journalistic integrity.

Reflecting on his career, Shelley stated, "It has been the honor of my career to serve broadcast and digital journalists through my roles at RTDNA." He added, "Throughout my travels around the world on behalf of our association, I have been heartened to see the insatiable thirst for truth and transparency among people, even in autocratic societies. During my travels around this country - in the U.S. and state capitols, at journalism schools and professional conferences, and with the general public - I have proudly been a standard bearer for those same principles."

Shelley also noted, "Now, though, after 45 years working tirelessly, day after day, I have decided it's time for a new generation of RTDNA staff leaders to finish building our association's bridge to the ever-changing landscape of what our business will be in the future."

Shelley's retirement marks the end of an era for RTDNA, but also the beginning of a new chapter under the leadership of Tara Puckey, as the organization continues to navigate the evolving landscape of journalism.