he decided to retire for personal reasons, noting the deaths of his brother and his best friend, as well as working across the country from his wife and daughter, who live in New York.“It’s really a matter of wanting to have another chapter of life where you’re with the ones you love,” Scannell said, “and doing things that you’ve always wanted to do.”
Scannell succeeded founding President Bill Davis to lead Southern California Public Radio, where he spearheaded the brand integration of LAist, which the company acquired in 2018. He navigated the organization through the COVID-19 pandemic and generated a 38% increase in revenue during his tenure. A longtime champion of diversity, Scannell also pushed for more diverse hires and content, especially in the aftermath of George Floyd’s murder in 2020.
On his watch, the company also saw the largest round of layoffs in its history. In June it cut 21 positions,