Robert Kelly, executive director at Waltham Community Access television for the last 18 years, has accepted the same position at NewTV, Newton's cable access station.
Kelly said Friday he will start his new job on May 12. His last day with WCAC-TV will be May 9.
Kelly said because of his long tenure at the Waltham station he had "mixed emotions" when he applied for the position in Newton. But Kelly said the opportunity of working at a larger organization in a larger community was too good to pass up.
"Ultimately, my family and I agreed that it was a good move for me," Kelly said. "My family is very excited about it."
Kelly said there was stiff competition for the executive director position in Newton.
"I was one of 63 applicants, so it was a sought-after position," Kelly said.
Kelly was named executive director at WCAC-TV in 1990 at a time he joked when his hair was "still brown."
He said he was grateful for the opportunity the Waltham station gave him. "It's been a great ride," Kelly said."I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for Waltham Community Access," Kelly said.
Kelly said he believed in his time at WCAC-TV the station created a wealth of educational programming and offered residents a venue to speak their minds.
"I think everyone in Waltham understands what they now have at their fingertips," Kelly said.
Kelly said while he worked in Waltham, he always admired how the NewTV operation was run.
"It was one of the organizations that I had always had a lot of respect for," Kelly said. Kelly, who lives in Waltham and is also a city councilor for Ward 1, said he and his family have no plans to move from the city. Kelly said he'll continue to serve on the council "for as long as they'll have me."
Kelly is also a member of the board of directors for MassAccess, the Massachusetts chapter of the Alliance for Community Media. Fred Lappin, president of the Newton Community Access Corporation, said in a statement that the station's board of directors was pleased to have someone with Kelly's successful track record on board.
"We welcome his many years of experience in the (public, education and government) access industry and we consider ourselves very fortunate that he was interested in the NewTV position," Lappin said. "As a board, we are excited at the prospect of working with Bob as we enter the next era of community service at NewTV.
Richard Conn can be contacted at 781-398-8004 or rconn@cnc.com.
