WJCT Public Media has announced three new additions to its Board of Trustees. The community-owned and operated public media organization officially confirmed approval for Frank Denton, Lawsikia J. Hodges and Asghar Syed to begin three-year terms.

Frank Denton is a retired news editor who brings more than 50 years of journalism experience to his new role on the WJCT Public Media Board of Trustees. Prior to his retirement from The Florida Times-Union in 2017, he worked as a reporter for newspapers in Texas, Alabama and Ohio; during his career, he also held editing positions at the Detroit Free Press, the Wisconsin State Journal and the Tampa Tribune.

Lawsikia J. Hodges is the Office of General Counsel, Government Operations Deputy for the City of Jacksonville, a role that provides transactional legal counsel to the Jacksonville City Council, mayor’s office, executive branch department directors and chiefs, constitutional officers, independent authorities, and various City boards and commissions.

Asghar Syed is a litigator and trusted advisor to a broad range of businesses, including those in the healthcare, education and insurance sectors. His practice focuses on complex business and employment litigation, with vast experience in both prosecution and defense for disputes ranging from high-stakes fraud and contract, to business tort and corporate governance.

WJCT’s Board of Trustees formally approved Martha Baker and Abel Harding to full membership. Baker and Harding both served the board as interim trustees in 2022.

Farley Kern, Chief Communications Officer for GuideWell, was installed as the Chair. She succeeds Matt Rapp, who will remain on the board through the completion of the 2022-2023 fiscal year.