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Main Office

 

Mailing Address: P.O. Box 50008, Columbia, SC 29250

Office Location: 939 South Stadium Road, Columbia, SC 29201

Main Phone Number: 803-799-5517

Business Center Fax Number: 803-779-5553

NETA Executive Team

 

Eric Hyyppa | President

 

NETA president Eric Hyyppa Eric Hyyppa is the President of the National Educational Telecommunications Association. Prior to joining NETA, Eric served for 11 years as Director and General Manager of MontanaPBS in Bozeman, Montana. He has a background in Information Technology, including a BS in Computer Science from Montana State University. He is a PBS veteran, with over 25 years in public broadcasting and extensive experience in television production, including work for every major network and many independent companies. He is a former member of the Society of Motion Picture Television Engineers and the Society of Broadcast Engineers. 
 
Eric is past chair of the board of directors of the National Educational Telecommunications Association, past chair of the board of trustees of America’s Public Television Stations, past chair of public television’s Affinity Group Coalition, and past co-chair of the Organization of State Broadcasting Executives. He has also served on the board of directors of PBS as well as the board of directors for the Montana Broadcasters Association. 

Anita Sims | Executive VP and Director of Business Center

 

photo of anita simsAnita Sims has worked at NETA for more than 33 years. The Texas native created the NETA Business Center in 1999 to provide financial services, payroll and benefits administration, and project management for public broadcasters and related organizations. In 2006, Sims was the first person (and first woman) to become a vice president at NETA. Her background is in the not-for-profit sector.

Sims holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a major in accounting. She is a member of the board of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and is IMA’s Carolina Council past chair. Sims was inducted into the organization’s prestigious Stuart Cameron McLeod Society in recognition of her leadership and service to the industry.

 

Tim Eernisse | VP of Education

 

NETA VP of Education Tim EernisseTimothy Eernisse is the Vice President, Education for NETA. Prior to NETA, he was the Director of Development and Marketing with WGVU Public Media for thirteen years. He has a background in Education, Engagement, Marketing, and Development. Timothy is a proud Air Force Veteran, having served from 1990 – 1998 as a PERSCO team member and A-10 Weapons Loader.
Timothy is a three-time Michigan Emmy Nominee.

He has served on the Ken Burns/WETA Vietnam Station Advisory Board; PBS Revenue Innovation Council; Michigan Association of Broadcasters Awards & Marketing Committees; and the Grandville Public Schools Education Foundation Board of Directors.

Angee Simmons | VP of Content

 

NETA VP of Content Angee SimmonsAngee Simmons is NETA’s Vice President of Content. She joined NETA in the Fall of 2019, after 24 years at Kansas City PBS. Having spent much of that time as a content creator, Simmons has a passion for working with filmmakers, multimedia producers, designers, marketing gurus, engagement and education professionals.  She oversees programming, education content and marketing.

She is the recipient of 10 Regional Emmy Awards (nominated for 23), 6 NETA Awards, The American  Association for State & Local History Award of Merit, and numerous other regional, state, and local accolades in content and marketing.

Active in her community and school district, Simmons serves on numerous committees and boards with a focus on education and youth voice. Simmons has film and English degrees with minors in education and women’s studies from the University of Notre Dame and is married with two children.