FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 15, 2008
CONTACT:  Bobbie Fisher, Chief Communications Officer, 757.889.9107

BRIAN CALLAHAN NAMED WHRO CHIEF EDUCATION OFFICER
 
Norfolk: WHRO, public broadcasting for Hampton Roads, has announced that Brian K. Callahan has accepted the position of Chief Education Officer.  Callahan succeeds Lawrence E. Crum, who was the public broadcaster’s Chief Education Officer for many years before his retirement in September 2008.

Originally from the “Industrial Midwest”-Cleveland, Detroit and Chicago-Callahan is a former classroom teacher with more than 23 years experience utilizing technology in education from primary through post-secondary settings.  He has made hundreds of presentations nationwide on educational technology issues and innovations and currently makes his home in Virginia Beach.

As WHRO’s Chief Education Officer, Callahan is responsible for a variety of state and regional educational technology products and services, most notably Virginia’s PBS TeacherLine-a statewide online teacher training program featuring more than 150 research-based courses at every grade level in most every subject; the Virtual Virginia Advanced Placement School operations center serving over 3,500 students annually across the Commonwealth with dozens of AP and world language courses; the Hampton Roads Virtual Learning Center providing online core courses to 18 school divisions in southeastern Virginia; and Virginia’s Community of Anytime Knowledge, a statewide, non-commercial, online professional development service.

Callahan attended Grove City College and Kent State University and holds Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Education degrees.

“Brian is well known and respected within the Hampton Roads educational community,” said WHRO President Bert Schmidt.  “He has a great vision for developing educational products and services that enhance the educational experience throughout the area.”