ARLINGTON, VA; September 27, 2018- PBS welcomed newly elected and returning board members following its first board meeting of fiscal year 2019. Vivian Riefberg, a Washington, DC-based senior partner at McKinsey & Company, joined the board as a general director. Joining the board for the first time as professional directors were Deborah L. Acklin, president and CEO of WQED in Pittsburgh, and Kevin E. Martin, president and CEO of ideastream/WVIZ in Cleveland.
Professional directors are station leaders from the public television system. Professional directors re-elected by the system include Ronnie Agnew of Mississippi Public Broadcasting (Jackson, Mississippi); Kim Johnson of Colorado Public Television (Denver); Kliff Kuehl of KCPT (Kansas City, Missouri); and Tom Rieland of WOSU (Columbus, Ohio).
In addition to Ms. Riefberg, the board also re-elected four other general directors, who serve as lay members of the board, meaning they come from outside the public media system. They include Afsaneh Beschloss, CEO of the Rock Creek Group; Maxine Clark, CEO of the Clark-Fox Family Foundation and founder of Build-A-Bear Workshop; Robert Sachs, principal of the Continental Consulting Group, LLC, and former president and CEO of NCTA; and Evan Smith, CEO and editor-in-chief of the Texas Tribune.
In this complex media environment, PBS is grateful for the strategic guidance and knowledge provided by the station and lay leaders who serve on our board, said PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger. The on-the-ground insights of our professional directors help to ensure that we are able to deliver a valuable public service that is unique in the media landscape and reflects local communities. Our esteemed group of general directors brings an array of diverse talents to the board, including business and financial acumen, journalism and communications expertise, and technical and regulatory experience. We are delighted to welcome all of our new and returning board members as we work to continue the mission of public media.
The 27-person PBS board, which includes the PBS president, is responsible for governing and setting policy for PBS. General and professional directors of the PBS board serve without pay.
Except in the case of filling vacancies created by resignations, PBS member stations elect the professional directors. The full board elects general directors, the PBS president and professional directors filling vacancies on the board.
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches over 90 million people through television and 30 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS' broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry's most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS' premier children's media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV - including a 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
CONTACT:
Jeremy Gaines, 703-739-5135, jmgaines@pbs.org
BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION FOR NEWLY ELECTED BOARD MEMBERS
(Bios for the full board, including re-elected board members, are available at http://www.pbs.org/about/about-pbs/board-directors.)
Deborah L. Acklin, WQED, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
(Professional Director)
Deborah Acklin is president and CEO of WQED Multimedia, where she leads operations, strategies and fundraising across five television channels, three radio channels and WQED Digital. After serving at WQED as executive producer of national and local programming and later as executive vice president, she was named president and CEO in 2010.
Ms. Acklin has won many accolades for her work, including a national Emmy Award nomination for a documentary about the legendary Fred Rogers and 11 regional Emmy Awards (Mid-Atlantic). She serves on many nonprofit boards, including the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, the Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, the Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, the Office of Public Art and the Kelly Strayhorn Theater. She also serves on the boards of America's Public Television Stations (APTS) and the PBS Major Market Group.
Kevin E. Martin, ideastream/WVIZ, Cleveland, Ohio
(Professional Director)
Kevin Martin has been president and CEO of ideastream since 2017. ideastream holds the licenses for WVIZ/PBS, WCPN/NPR and WCLV/Classical Music. Mr. Martin began his public media career in 1990 at the Independent Television Service (ITVS) as their first director of finance and administration. He has since served in various senior executive positions at Twin Cities PBS, KERA and KQED.
Mr. Martin has served on numerous boards of directors, including the Station Resource Group (SRG), International Public Television (INPUT), the Development Exchange Inc. (now Greater Public) and the Public Media Business Association (PMBA). He
Most recent headlines
04/08/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, is excited to announce Santiago Solanas as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO)....
03/06/2024
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, a...
04/05/2024
NEW YORK As the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month kicks off in May, Nielsen has released an extensive new report diving into their media habits with data sh...
04/05/2024
PHILADELPHIA As National Military Appreciation Month gets underway, Comcast has announced several new initiatives to help veterans, service members, and their f...
04/05/2024
WASHINGTON, D.C. Federal Communications Commission chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel has announced a tentative agenda for the May Open Commission Meeting scheduled...
04/05/2024
The Broadband Forum has announced major enhancements to key 5G convergence standards that the group said will help advance next-generation applications, improve...
04/05/2024
Spotify Wrapped Campaign Spot Graded With DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Blackmagic Design today announced that Colorist M...
04/05/2024
Three Boston Conservatory at Berklee Alums Nominated for Tony Awards An additional eight alums and two current students performed in nominated productions.
...
03/05/2024
An innovative learning tool to help media and civil society better understand ho...
03/05/2024
PARK CITY, UTAH - JANUARY 21: (L-R) Actors K stutis Cic nas and Greta Grinevi i t , Director Marija Kavtaradze and Producer Marija Razgute attend the 2023 Sunda...
03/05/2024
If you aren't familiar with Danny Ocean's music, it's only a matter ...
03/05/2024
Spotify has an unwavering commitment to supporting emerging artists across all genres, to helping them launch and thrive in their careers, and to connecting the...
03/05/2024
Como uno de los sonidos de mayor expansi n en el mundo, la M sica Mexicana va m ...
03/05/2024
As one of the fastest-growing sounds worldwide, M sica Mexicana is more than jus...
03/05/2024
NEW YORK FuboTV reported that it lost 110,000 subs in Q1 2024 but it exceeded its guidance for the quarter with double digit year-over-year increases across key...
03/05/2024
Only 3 Weeks Left To Enter The Creative Industries Most Award
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
Creativepool is giving a last call to the creative i...
03/05/2024
WePlay Studios Transforms the Future of Live Event Storytelling with AJA Gear
Brie Clayton May 3, 2024
0 Comments
By 2032, the esports market is expec...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Shannon Bream, Fox News Sunday anchor and chief legal correspondent, sat for a keynote chat at The Business of TV News, with Tom Umstead, senior co...
03/05/2024
WASHINGTON Asked how important is local news, Martha Raddatz, who has covered foreign conflicts for decades and moderated presidential debates for ABC News, s...
03/05/2024
Sony Pictures and Apollo Global Management have made a $26 billion cash offer fo...
03/05/2024
CBS announced its 2024-2025 primetime schedule, which features the new dramas NCIS: Origins, Matlock and Watson, and new comedies Poppa's House and Georgie ...
03/05/2024
Sports-focused streaming service Fubo said it reduced its red ink in the first quarter, despite losing 110,000 subscribers since the end of the year....
03/05/2024
Walmart is reportedly about to release a new 4K streaming box/smart speaker hybrid device for Google TV that could retail for as low as $50, according to a repo...
03/05/2024
Enhancements to its Delivery Workspace solution provide increased content delivery robustness and security
By Matthew Corrigan
Published: May 3, 2024
Enha...
03/05/2024
According to reports, if the bid is successful, Sony would be the significant majority shareholder of the new private company
By Jenny Priestley
Published: M...
03/05/2024
Located in Manchesters Spinningfields district, the course aims to equip students with the skills, knowledge and industry insight for a career in the creative s...
03/05/2024
Lightbridge has created a new Cine Reflect Lighting System kit, dedicated to enabling artistic lighting with consideration of today's productivity practical...
03/05/2024
Broadcast media systems integrator BeckTV and Lawo worked together on a large-scale AES67 build of radio control rooms at KPBS, San Diego's NPR and PBS memb...
03/05/2024
Raleigh, NC, April 12, 2024 SmallHD announces PageOS 6, a powerful software update free for owners of SmallHD monitors, featuring increased functionality, exp...
03/05/2024
SmallHD announces the Quantum 32 a new 31.5 OLED monitor designed to provide reference HDR/SDR images for post-production final color grading, as well as cri...
03/05/2024
By 2032, the esports market is expected to grow to $9.29 billion, bolstered by a global player count and fan following that both continue to climb. The 2023 Lea...
03/05/2024
Amagi, the global leader in cloud-based SaaS technology for broadcast and connected TV (CTV), today announced that the 11th edition of the Amagi Global FAST Rep...
03/05/2024
Riedel Communications today announced that Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) is relying on a media and intercom network based on Riedel technology for the renewal of...
03/05/2024
Broadpeak , a leading provider of content delivery network (CDN) and video streaming solutions for content providers and pay-TV operators worldwide, announced t...
03/05/2024
Media technology innovator Limecraft will exhibit the latest updates to its online platform on stand G79 at the 15-16 May 2024 Media Production & Technology Sho...
03/05/2024
Audio interface specialist Prism Sound is partnering with console manufacturer Solid State Logic, professional monitor manufacturer PMC and acoustic panel and d...
03/05/2024
Intinor, Sweden's leading developer of products and solutions for high-quality video over the internet, is set to join forces with its UK partner Zest Techn...
03/05/2024
NAKIVO Inc., a fast-growing software company dedicated to protecting physical, virtual, cloud, and SaaS environments, announced its Q1 2024 financial results to...
03/05/2024
Hiltron Communications announces an addition to its range of satellite communication products and systems: a field-upgradable motorisation kit specifically desi...
03/05/2024
Visit LiveU at Stand D30
With this year an exceptional one for major sporting events alongside multiple, key elections, the power and flexibility of LiveU'...
03/05/2024
Agile Content, the leader in the development of technology and solutions for the provision of television services over the Internet, announces Koldo Unanue as i...
03/05/2024
Eight co-signers representing streaming services, pay TV operators and public interest groups have sent a letter to Congressional leaders urging their Committee...
03/05/2024
BOSTON Brightcove has announced that it has implemented Amazon Q Business, a new generative AI assistant on Amazon Web Services (AWS)....
03/05/2024
NEW YORK CBS has declared that it will finish the 2023-24 season as Americas Most-Watched Network in primetime for the 16th consecutive season....
03/05/2024
A new survey indicates that U.S. businesses and consumers had an overall positive attitude towards their technology spending plans in the first quarter of 2024,...
03/05/2024
Sony and Apollo Global Management have sent an offer letter to Paramount Global's board of directors making an $26 billion all cash offer for Paramount Glob...
03/05/2024
EMG / Gravity Media has appointed Charlie Cubbon chief operating officer (COO) and Jamie Hindhaugh regional CEO for the U.K., U.S., Australia and the Middle Eas...
03/05/2024
Final 2024 Season Games to Air Saturdays on WRAL at 10:30am in May, Championship on June 1
Taping for the final episodes of the 2024 season of WRAL-TV's Br...
03/05/2024
Estrella MediaCo said it is expanding its connected TV portfolio by launching three new channels with Curiosity that will first appear on Samsung TV Plus....
ARLINGTON, VA; September 27, 2018- PBS welcomed newly elected and returning board members following its first board meeting of fiscal year 2019. Vivian Riefberg, a Washington, DC-based senior partner at McKinsey & Company, joined the board as a general director. Joining the board for the first time as professional directors were Deborah L. Acklin, president and CEO of WQED in Pittsburgh, and Kevin E. Martin, president and CEO of ideastream/WVIZ in Cleveland. 
