John Featherly is currently the Acting Deputy Director of Programming at Voice of America. Featherly served as Acting Director of VOA Programming from October 2023 to June 2024. He previously served as Acting Director of VOA’s News Center, in addition to Managing Editor, a position he held since 2017. In those previous roles, he was responsible for the day-to-day oversight and operations focusing on global and U.S. news, as well as the planning and enterprise coverage for all platforms. Featherly worked to expand audio content and ensure all material is appropriately produced and available for digital platforms and broadcasts, as VOA expands to multiplatform audiences in critical regions and increases digital engagement.
From 2015-2017, Featherly served as the Real Times News Desk Managing Editor. In that capacity, he oversaw English online platforms, as well as content for VOA language services. He also focused on the implementation of the digital first strategy and the transition to multimedia digital reporting. He has held several positions since his arrival to the Voice of America in 2002, including Senior Digital Producer and Senior Editor.
Featherly is a graduate of the State University of New York at New Paltz, where he majored in English and Visual Arts.