Press Contact: Teri L. Sullivan
WKNO/Channel 10
(901) 729-8735
tlsullivan@wkno.org
July 12, 2010
For Immediate Release
WKNO WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBERS AND ANNOUNCES OFFICERS
WKNO Public Broadcasting is pleased to announce new Board members and officers, as well as acknowledge the service of outgoing Board members.
The officers for the 2010-2011 Board are: Dr. Craig Esrael, Chairman; Calvin Anderson, Vice-Chairman; Rick Schultz, Secretary; and Michael LaBonia, Treasurer.
WKNO is pleased to announce that the following have joined the Board.
Mike Bruns was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. He graduated from the University of Illinois with a B.S. in Business Administration. He founded Comtrak Logistics in 1983 and retired as President in 2010. Mike resides in Memphis with his wife of 37 years and has 2 children and 3 grandchildren.
“The WKNO mission and its track record of success is a wonderful tribute to the leadership team I am so proud to join,” said Mike.
J. Dabney Collier is President of Collier Insurance. He is a past chairman and member of the Board of WKNO, is presently serving as the Chairman of the Board of The YMCA of Memphis and the Mid-South and has served as the President of the Phoenix Club. He is a graduate of Washington and Lee University. Dabney and his wife Ginger have three daughters.
“WKNO is one of the best ways to give back to Memphis!” said Dabney.
H. Montgomery Martin received a B.S. in Building Science from Auburn University and is the director of Montgomery Martin Contractors. Notable projects include St. Mary’s Episcopal School, Playhouse on the Square and the WKNO Digital Media Center. Montgomery and his wife Laura have been married 31 years and have two daughters, Lauren and Neile.
“Having had the privilege of being the WKNO Headquarters builder, I became keenly aware of the great things that they do for the community,” said Montgomery. “Public broadcasting is integral to the fabric of good vibrant communities so I was honored to be asked to serve on the board.”
Ray Stitle was a board member of WKNO in 2007. Ray is currently the Chief People Officer of Monogram Food Solutions and has held senior level human resource roles with Memphis-based ServiceMaster and PepsiAmericas. Ray and his wife Dawn have two daughters.
Ray listens to WKNO-FM on a regular basis and decided to join the WKNO Board because “I want to be involved in driving increased listening of WKNO in our community.”
Johnnie B. Watson is President of LeMoyne-Owen College. He earned a B.A. of Arts degree from there in 1960 and a Master’s Degree from Indiana University in 1966. In 2001, he was awarded the Honorary Doctor of Laws degree from LeMoyne-Owen College for his contributions to education over 43 years. He is an active member of Mt. Moriah-East Baptist Church.
“Serving on the Board of Trustees of WKNO gives me another opportunity to serve this community as an experienced educator,” said Johnnie.
Re-elected to the WKNO Board this year are Rick Ascolese, Ralph Berry, Andy Pierotti, and William Taylor.
WKNO thanks outgoing board members Carolyn Hardy, Tony McDuffie and Dr. Karl Misulis for their service.
In addition, WKNO would like to thank Mr. William Taylor for his four-year service as the Board Chairman. During his tenure, WKNO celebrated 50 years as a community institution and built the Digital Media Center.
“My serving as Board Chair for WKNO during the past four years has been an unparalleled opportunity, something that I will cherish for years to come,” said Bill. “Serving as Board Chair gave me the unique opportunity to be a part of greatness. WKNO is a great organization providing exemplary services to the community. Being a part of this terrific organization and working with the outstanding staff and group of committed volunteers has been an unforgettable experience. A special thanks to President LaBonia for his visionary leadership and to the Members of the Board for their unyielding support. Also, a hearty thank you to WKNO for the superb service WKNO is rendering.”
The Mid-South Public Communications Foundation operates WKNO-TV/Channel 10, WKNO-DT – which includes WKNO-HD and WKNO2, and WKNO-FM 91.1 Memphis and WKNO-FM 90.1 Jackson. WKNO is a non-profit, private foundation serving the Mid-South for more than 50 years. An important community resource, WKNO uses the power of non-commercial public broadcasting to provide the Mid-South with quality educational and cultural programs that inform, entertain, and inspire. For more information: www.wkno.org or www.wknofm.org.
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