Tom Taylor, left, will take over from Creig Twilley in a move in which the two producers will switch roles.

The new year brings some big news for PAC 14, the public access channel serving Wicomico County, Salisbury and the entire community.

On Jan. 1, the station welcomed its new leader, a familiar face to PAC 14 local producers and community members. PAC 14 is also looking forward to marking its 20th anniversary on the air, on March 14.

Tom Taylor, who served as the PAC 14 Assistant Director for many years, took over as PAC 14 Executive Director.

Longtime Executive Director Creig Twilley became Assistant Director, in a position switch approved by the PAC 14 Board of Directors.

Taylor has been part of PAC 14 since 2007, starting as a volunteer local producer and then assuming the duties of Production Manager in 2008.

A graduate of Towson University, he enjoyed a 20-year freelance career in television production before coming to Salisbury.

He has worked alongside PAC 14’s two previous leaders – founding director Mike Goodson, and Twilley – and has been mentored by them. Taylor is an active community volunteer, serving 20 years with St. Francis de Sales Catholic Church and 15 years with the Boy Scouts of America.

“I am honored to have been part of PAC 14 for the past 12 years, and now to serve as its leader during its 20th anniversary year,” Taylor said. “PAC 14 is a vital part of life in Wicomico County, and I take personal pride in supporting local producers and organizations in publicizing their visions and goals through the public access channel. We will maintain that active community spirit, and work together to make PAC 14 an even more effective and important service for everyone who creates content and who tunes in to PAC 14 on cable or online.”

The Board of Directors agreed that Taylor has excellent credentials for continuing and expanding PAC 14's community focus, and unanimously approved him as Executive Director.

“The PAC 14 Board appreciates the dedication and direction Creig Twilley has brought to PAC 14. While he was director, PAC 14 received a number of local awards including the Friends of Wicomico Public Libraries Light of Literacy Award and the Friend of Education Award from Wicomico County Public Schools and the Board of Education,” said Dr. George I. Whitehead, Board Chair. “We are very familiar with the quality of Tom’s work and we eagerly look forward to his leadership in guiding PAC 14’s mission of telling the community’s story.

Twilley, who began his 20th year with PAC 14 in December, had served as the station’s director since December 2010, when he took over from founding director Goodson.

Twilley has more than 40 years of video production experience, having started his career with Maryland Public Television in Owings Mills. The leadership change was initiated at his request: He wanted to focus more of his time and creativity on video production, while making way for new ideas and new leadership for the station.

“I have always enjoyed working in the public television sector and working within the local community. PAC 14 has been like a second home to me and I believe that PAC 14 has become an integral part of this community,” he said. “Although I am stepping away from the Executive Director position, I remain dedicated to the mission of PAC 14, which is serving the people and organizations throughout Wicomico County. Passing the torch to Tom is a natural transition and I look forward to working with him to keep PAC 14 a valuable community resource."

The community’s public access channel opened its doors thanks to the vision and financial support of founding partners Wicomico County, city of Salisbury, Salisbury University and the SU Nursing Department. Access 26, as the station was originally called, aired its first program on March 15, 1999. In 2010, PAC 14 was incorporated as PAC 14 Inc., a 501c3 organization. Today the city of Salisbury, Wicomico County and Salisbury University each provide funding or valuable in-kind services which allow PAC 14 to continue to operate and meet the mission of providing local, community-oriented television programming. In addition to Taylor and Twilley, station staff includes Digital Media Specialist Karlie Harris and Office Manager Joanne Miller.

PAC 14 airs on Comcast cable, and is also available online through its website pac14.org and YouTube channel.