Former CFL commissioner appointed to direct TVO

TVO hands the ball to the former Canadian Football League commissioner.

Jeffrey Orridge, who made history five years ago as the first black CEO of a major North American sports league, will be the next CEO of the province’s educational broadcaster.

This was announced Tuesday by Education Minister Stephen Lecce at Queen’s Park.

“Mr. Orridge’s proven track record as an agent and change leader, coupled with his extensive experience in the business, nonprofit and media industries, make him the ideal person to fill this critical role,” Lecce said of the educated appointment. at Harvard Law School.

“With TVO set to become a national leader in distance learning, I am confident in Mr. Orridge’s ability to advance the organization’s mandate and support the educational success of all students in Ontario,” he said, referring to the growing role of the issuer due to the covid19 pandemic.

Orridge succeeds Lisa de Wilde, who resigned in October 2019 after 14 years at the helm of TVO.

De Wilde has been credited with increasing private donations to improve the reach of TVO, which receives much of its funding from the Ministry of Education.

Since her departure, Jennifer Hinshelwood has served as interim CEO.

“Over the years, TVO has developed a solid record, brand and history, and is well positioned to become Canada’s leading digital learning platform,” said Lecce.

In addition to serving as CFL Commissioner from 2015 to 2017, Orridge was chief operating officer of Right to Play, a charity that promotes sport for disadvantaged children and a senior executive at CBC.

Robert Benzie is the head of the Star’s Queen’s Park office and an Ontario political journalist. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie