When plans were under way to create the Fred Rogers Center for Early Learning and Children's Media at Saint Vincent College, William H. Isler declined a public role, instead offering to work behind the scenes as a member of the advisory board.

William H. Isler

But when a lengthy national search failed to find a candidate with just the right combination of media and education credentials for the job of executive director, Isler was persuaded to accept. Yesterday, his appointment was announced publicly.

"We got everything in him," said Rogers' widow, Joanne, honorary chair of the center's board.

She called Isler the "perfect choice" to head what promises to become a scholarly and vibrant think tank to advance Fred Rogers' lifelong work as an advocate for children.

Fred Rogers guided the planning of the center for the three years prior to his death on Feb. 27, 2003. It was established the following September to address issues that affect children and families.

The work of the Rogers Center is already under way even though a permanent home won't be ready on the college's campus until 2008. One of Isler's first jobs will be to oversee the design competition for the new $12 million facility.

The goal of the Rogers Center is threefold:

Develop an archive of materials that defines Rogers and his work

Create the Fred Rogers Leadership Institute to help develop leaders in early child learning and children's media through a fellowship program and educational forums

Create an international identity for the center and its work

Isler, a 1968 graduate of Saint Vincent, is a teacher-turned-administrator who, from 1976 to 1984, worked for the state Department of Education as the senior adviser for early childhood education, as commissioner of basic education and as executive assistant to the secretary of education.

He is president of Family Communications Inc., the nonprofit founded by Fred Rogers in 1971 to produce Mister Rogers Neighborhood and develop other children's programs and education materials. He will continue as president of Family Communications.

He also is president of the Pittsburgh Board of Public Education.