John Boland, the former “chief content officer” for KQED parent Northern California Public Broadcasting, has been named that organization’s new president and chief executive, replacing Jeff Clarke, who is retiring after a 45-year career.

Boland’s appointment ends a search process of several months where it was rumored that three internal candidates were rejected by the board.

Boland, who left for PBS in 2006, will take over on March 22. Here’s the press release.