After months of speculation, the National Film Board has plucked the new head of its English Program from the private sector.

Former journalist and Alliance Atlantis TV executive Cindy Witten starts her new job Feb. 25.

‘What impressed me about Cindy’s career has been her willingness to recognize talent and take creative risks,’ said film commissioner Tom Perlmutter in a statement. ‘Cindy brings the right skill set of energy, drive and risk-taking to keep the NFB at the cutting edge of innovative media making.’

Sources close to the NFB, however, say some feathers are ruffled by the news because veteran producers Silva Basmajian and Gerry Flahive were also top contenders for the job.

Described by the NFB as having a ‘stellar track record as one of Canada’s leaders in factual content programming,’ Witten has been the VP of content at History Television since 2005. She has also worked as an executive at BBC Canada, National Geographic Channel, HGTV Canada and Life Network.

‘I’m excited by current directions at the NFB. It’s an incredible opportunity to work in one of the world’s great cultural institutions at a moment when it is clearly setting the pace for innovation in socially relevant documentary, animation and digital content,’ said Witten in a statement.

At the CBC, Witten was senior producer of Big Life with Daniel Richler and a director/journalist at The National from 1991 to 1998. She began her television career as news producer at CBC Toronto in 1987.

Witten has an MA in journalism from the University of Western Ontario and a BA in political science from the University of Waterloo.