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Main Office

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

Office Location: 1122 Lady Street, Suite 262, Columbia, SC 29201

Main Phone Number: 803-799-5517

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 Montana PBS 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.

Robert Clauser | Vice President of Professional Services and Director, NETA Business Center

photo of Robert Clauser Robert Clauser is NETA’s vice president of professional services and director, NETA Business Center. Prior to joining NETA in 2024, Robert served as CFO for a major market public media station, produced programming for public media, and more recently, led explorations around artificial intelligence in a newsroom. He has experience in public media, financial management, and innovation in the nonprofit sector.

Robert has served on numerous boards including the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Association of Foreign Correspondents in the USA, and The Peace Studio. He holds an MBA in finance and marketing from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a BA in economics from the University of Michigan.

Tim Eernisse | VP of Education & Growth; Chief Operating Officer

NETA VP of Education Tim Eernisse Timothy Eernisse is the vice president of education & growth; chief operating officer. 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 Simmons Angee 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 Public Media 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.