NETA’s Anita Sims to Retire July 1
Sims Served NETA and Clients More Than 33 Years
On July 1, 2024, NETA’s Anita Sims will retire from her role as executive vice president and director of business center, then continue to serve as a consultant through NETA Consulting.
Sims began her career at NETA in 1991 as director of finance. In 1999, she created the NETA Business Center 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.
“The NETA Business Center and all its services are a credit to Anita, her vision, and her leadership,” said NETA President Eric Hyyppa. “It is hard to imagine the Business Center without her, but we are thankful she will continue to lend her expertise through NETA Consulting. She has built and grown an incredible team of dedicated and knowledgeable professionals and set us up to successfully serve our expanding clientele long into the future.”
Sims built the NETA Business Center from the initial concept to what it is today. The team serves more than 60 public media stations and other non-profit organizations, community and industry groups, and associations. Over the years, Sims has strategically continued to expand customized, accurate, and cost-effective services, saving client stations and organizations millions of dollars in operating costs each year.
“As I embark on this new journey in life, I look back at my time with NETA with gratitude. It has been an honor and privilege to work alongside such talented and committed professionals in the public media system,” said Sims. “I am proud of the work I have done while building the Business Center, which has far surpassed my expectations.”
“Over 20 years ago, KEDT became the first PBS station client of the new NETA Business Center when I decided to outsource KEDT's accounting upon the retirement of our longtime staff accountant. That remains the best business decision that I've made managing KEDT,” said Don Dunlap, president and general manager at KEDT-TV/FM. “KEDT's relationship with the NETA Business Center, which started off as a convenient service, has grown to an essential partnership that is a critical to KEDT's success.”
A native of Texas, 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.
In 2022, Sims was named to the Public Media Honor Roll. She was nominated by Maryanne Schuessler, who accurately described her as, “…a remarkable, tireless woman of sterling integrity and deserves to be admired.”
Please join NETA in thanking Sims for her decades of dedicated leadership and service and congratulating her on her upcoming role change.
In the coming weeks, NETA will begin a national search for its next vice president of professional services and director of the NETA Business Center.
