FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) He's been in charge of Fort Wayne's public television station since 2008. On Thursday, PBS Fort Wayne announced that president and general manager Bruce Haines will retire in 2025. According to a news release issued by PBS Fort Wayne, Haines stepped into his leadership role a in 2008 after spending 21 years leading Northeast Indiana’s public radio organization. During his tenure, the station moved from analog to high-definition operations, securing a $3.1 million capital campaign to upgrade all station production and operations to HD and outfit a production truck for on-location field work. During Haines' time as president and GM of PBS Fort Wayne, the organization increased thestation’s power, incorporated additional personnel to bring local content to new media platforms, and expanded the reach of its five broadcast channels and local productions through streaming services. In recent years, PBS Fort Wayne has earned several national awards for regional historicaldocumentaries and arts programming, including four Telly Awards for local productions in 2023and three Telly Awards in 2022. Haines has worked closely with a dedicated creative staff tosecure numerous local collaborations and regional partnerships in the arts, education, and civiclife. PBS Fort Wayne Board of Directors Chair and City Council Administrator for the City of FortWayne Megan Flohr said, “Bruce has been a tremendous leader for both PBS Fort Wayne andour community as a whole. With a 40+-year career in public broadcasting, Bruce is a seasonedprofessional and he has worked tirelessly to advance our mission of enriching the communitythrough engaging content with his work in front of the camera and behind it.” Originally from Pennsylvania, Haines attended Westminster College, ultimately relocating toIndiana in 1977 for an opportunity in commercial radio. In 1983, he became program director atBall State University’s public radio station. After obtaining his MBA while at Ball State, Hainesmoved to Fort Wayne and he began his career as general manager at Northeast Indiana PublicRadio in 1987. Haines stated, "Thanks to a great and talented staff, strong governance and solid communitysupport, PBS Fort Wayne remains the only locally owned and operated full-power TV service inour area. It's rewarding to see the growth in the content we deliver, both locally and nationally,which serves our mission and connects in new ways with so many viewers. Serving thecommunity through PBS Fort Wayne has been a great honor, and retirement only means moretime to support the station and enjoy its programming."