Vince Gardino bound for orchestra post after NY Public Radio departure in July

Vince Gardino, New York Public Radio's executive director of underwriting, is departing the station after 14 years to become executive director of the American Classical Orchestra, which performs music from the 17th to 19th centuries using authentic period instruments. His last day with the station is June 8, and he'll start with the orchestra July 2.

For 12 years, Gardino served as chair of the PMDMC Heritage Group, a best-practices working group of corporate support leaders of major market stations. He also was lead negotiator with the Radio Research Consortium for pubradio’s Arbitron contracts, and recently was appointed as the pubradio representative on the Arbitron Radio Advisory Council.

"His consistent focus and hands-on style with the clients and sales team helped propel revenue growth through both robust and challenging financial landscapes," the station said in a statement.

George Thomas retiring from his longtime jazz show on Vermont Public Radio

The host of Vermont Public Radio's Jazz with George Thomas is stepping away from the mic after more than 11 years. Thomas has announced he is retiring from VPR, with his final show in late June. “It has been an honor and I am grateful to have been able to share jazz with VPR's avid, curious and astute listeners, who often suggested artists, songs and albums to play,” Thomas said.

The show is heard from 9 to 11 p.m. Eastern Monday through Thursday and Friday nights until midnight. Jazz music "will continue to have a presence in the VPR programming line-up, but the details have yet to be finalized," the station said.

Robin Turnau, president of VPR, wrote in a memo to staff: “As Ella Fitzgerald once said, ‘It isn't where you came from, it's where you're going that counts.’ I know that we all wish George the best of luck in where he’s going, and will be cheering him on from the front row.”

Television Critics Association nominates five PBS shows for honors

PBS scored five nods in the 28th annual Television Critics Association Awards, announced Wednesday (June 6) in Los Angeles. Masterpiece's Downton Abbey and Sherlock are going head-to-head in the movies, mini-series and specials category. Frontline was nominated in news and information; Sesame Street, in youth programming; and Downton again in program of the year. Details and a full list of nominees at Deadline.com.