don baerDon Baer, Burson-Marsteller CEO, speechwriter for President Clinton and political reporter for US News & World Report, has been elected chair of Public Broadcasting Service. He was vice chairman and finance committee chair.

Paula Kerger, PBS president/CEO, said: "Don understands both PBS and the complex, rapidly evolving environment in which we operate. He will be an indispensable guide in helping PBS to strategically navigate the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Prior to joining B-M in 2008, Baer was senior executive VP at Discovery Communications in charge of marketing, business development, media strategy, communications, research and public policy.

He served in the Clinton White House as director of strategy planning & communications following his elevation from chief speechwriter/director of speechwriting & research.

From 1985 to 1993, Baer covered the White House, politics and national/international news for USN&WR.

During the 1980s, he was media lawyer at Patterson, Belknap, Webb & Tyler.