WUCF Executive Director

Executive Office Staff

Deborah Pease
Executive Assistant and Office Concierge

Jennifer Cook

An award-winning senior executive with a career dedicated to the media industry,Jennifer leads all of the station’s fundraising, technology, budget, creative, content and digital initiatives across all television, radio, digital and social media platforms.

Since joining WUCF in 2014, Jennifer has strategized, designed and implemented the station’s communications, education and engagement efforts for Central Florida’s newest and fastest growing PBS station. Jennifer assumed responsibility for WUCF TV’s content strategy in 2019. A true believer in the mission of public media and the power of television, Jennifer finds great passion in using our platform to tell the stories of our community and making education and entertainment accessible to all. She was named Executive Director in 2021.

Jennifer holds a Masters in Arts in Mass Communications from the University of Central Florida and sits on various national boards within the national public media system. She is currently pursuing her PhD in Strategic Communications at the University of Central Florida.

Email Jennifer Cook

WUCF Leadership

Melissa Braillard

Melissa Braillard is a nonprofit professional with two decades of experience with arts and culture organizations, specializing in fundraising, audience development, and communications.

In her current role as Director of Community Impact at WUCF, Melissa leads initiatives in fundraising, education, and community engagement, creating tangible positive effects across Central Florida. Under her leadership, WUCF has successfully raised over $15 million, benefiting more than 4.5 million individuals across nine counties. As President of the Association of Fundraising Professionals in Central Florida (AFP), Melissa's dedication to community service has been recognized with the prestigious Terri S. Chastain Award for Outstanding Fundraising Professional.

Melissa is committed to uniting the community, inspiring impactful experiences, and fostering connections that enhance the lives of all Central Floridians. She lives in Longwood, FL with her husband and two tweens. BA: Washington State University. MFA: University of Central Florida.

Julie Sochay

Julie Sochay is the Director of Content where she provides strategic leadership and oversight of all WUCF's local and national content and programming across all platforms, including TV, FM, and digital, as well as communications and branding.

With a passion to serve local communities, Julie is committed to telling local stories and ensuring quality educational resources and programming are available to everyone.

Previously, Julie was senior director of content and communication for WKAR Public Media in East Lansing, MI where she oversaw content for television and created the vision and focus for communications and community engagement.

She is a graduate of Michigan State University with a degree in journalism and a Public Media Diversity Leadership Institute fellow with The Riley Institute at Furman University.

Bill Dotson

Bill Dotson is the Director of TV and Radio Operations and has worked at the University of Central Florida since 2004 when hired as the first employee of The UCF Channel/UCF TV, a digital TV channel partnership with Brevard Community College/WBCC TV in Cocoa.

The WBCC/UCF TV partnership expanded in July 2011 to keep PBS in Central Florida after the primary Orlando PBS station, WMFE TV 24, ended its PBS affiliation. UCF negotiated the purchase of the WMFE TV license and restored PBS to TV 24 with new call letters WUCF TV in November 2012.

Bill has a degree in Communications Management from Ohio University. He has worked in commercial and public radio and television broadcasting since 1987. He has a diverse broadcast background and has worked in multiple capacities including programming, promotions/marketing, sales, production, traffic, and operations.

Community Impact Team

Raychel Cesaro
Corporate Partnership Manager

Chris Doucette
Education Manager

Sue Foster
Membership Services Associate

Marissa Gallo
Events Coordinator

Alexander Hehr
Membership Coordinator

Evan Cloud
Gift Administration Specialist

Devante Guilford
Corporate Partnerships Coordinator

Catherine Hiles
Grant Writer

Jeannine Meade
Education Coordinator

Evan Valle
Membership Manager

Catapult Fundraising and CDP also provide strategic fundraising support to WUCF, helping us connect with donors and grow our impact through personalized outreach and donor engagement services.