Appreciation
RESOLUTION PUBLIC SESSION BOARD OF DIRECTORS CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING WASHINGTON, D.C. Monday, October 7, 2024
Seven in favor, one absent
RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation and Congratulations
for the Contributions of
PATRICK BUTLER
President and CEO, America’s Public Television Stations
2011 – 2024
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions Patrick Butler has made to public media.
Mr. Butler has served with distinction as President and CEO of the Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) for 13 years, during which public television stations have secured record levels of federal and state funding and substantially enhanced their local services in education, public safety, and civic leadership.
Pat has been a tireless advocate for public television, working diligently to obtain increased funding, foster partnerships, and promote the value of public broadcasting to diverse audiences. His commitment to excellence, integrity, and innovation has inspired colleagues, stakeholders, and the broader public media community, leaving a lasting legacy that will benefit future generations.
We mark the end of his distinguished service to APTS with respect, admiration, and gratitude and wish him well on his retirement.
PUBLIC SESSION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
7 in favor; 1 absent
Resolved,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation and Congratulations
for the Contributions of
J. Westwood Smithers, Jr.
Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Corporation for Public Broadcasting
2005 – 2024
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions of West Smithers.
Mr. Smithers joined CPB at a time when CPB and the public media system faced increasingly complex issues.
Mr. Smithers facilitated a complete review of CPB’s governance guidelines and clarified the roles and responsibilities for board and committee members to ensure compliance with CPB’s bylaws, committee charters and policies. He also served as CPB’s legal liaison to the White House and to the Office of Government Ethics in clearing candidates for potential nomination to serve on the CPB Board.
CPB benefitted from his extensive legal and public media experience as it addressed major business transactions and policy matters ranging from the FCC spectrum auction to CPB Community Service Grant requirements.
He strengthened the integrity of operations within CPB through a comprehensive review and reform of CPB's contracting and grantmaking practices. He also offered counsel to both the Board and staff on ethical conduct, conflicts of interest and corporate governance best practices and ensuring compliance with federal and D.C. laws.
He worked collegially with the CPB Board, officers and staff to defend CPB and public media’s legal interests.
We mark the end of his distinguished service to CPB with respect, admiration, and gratitude and wish him well on his retirement.
RESOLUTION
PUBLIC SESSION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, April 10, 2024
7 in favor; 1 absent
Resolved,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation and Congratulations
for the Contributions of
William Tayman
CPB Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
2006 – 2024
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions of William Tayman.
Mr. Tayman joined CPB at a time of repair and renewal, and contributed to a complete review of CPB’s governance guidelines and financial management practices. His commitment to CPB’s stewardship, governance, and financial best practices helped make CPB a more effective organization in ways that accrued to CPB’s mission, the Board’s Goals and Objectives, the public media system and the public.
Throughout his tenure at CPB, Mr. Tayman applied his expertise to maximizing CPB’s limited resources, improving investments, strengthening financial management, and ensuring clean audits.
Mr. Tayman developed policies and procedures, created CPB’s objective-based performance management system, strengthened CPB’s IT infrastructure, and promoted continuous improvement in administration functions.
Mr. Tayman’s work ethic, integrity, dedication and the leadership qualities he has demonstrated daily on behalf of CPB helped the organization through sequestration budget reductions, office renovations, and the upheaval of a pandemic.
We mark the end of his distinguished service to CPB with respect, admiration, and gratitude and wish him well on his retirement.
RESOLUTION
PUBLIC SESSION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Monday, December 5, 2022
unanimously
Resolved,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses its Heartfelt Congratulations to
Jon Abbott
President and CEO, WGBH Educational Foundation, 2007-present
Chief Operating Office and General Manager, WGBH Educational Foundation, 1998-2007
Vice President, Marketing and Development, KQED, 1988-1992
The Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the contributions to public media of Mr. Jon Abbott.
GBH has been a leading light in public media since the 1950s, and even in the storied history of the station, Jon Abbott stands out as a transformational leader.
Through Jon’s vision and leadership, GBH transformed from a broadcast operation to a multimedia, multiplatform digital content creator, developing WORLD CHANNEL and CREATE multicast platforms, helping to launch PBS LearningMedia, and expanding the reach of high-quality programming such as FRONTLINE and NOVA across the digital realm. His passion for the mission of public media to serve all people and for educational content and services has made GBH a vital resource for the entire public media system. Along the way, Jon has mentored countless young public media professionals, helping to strengthen the future of public media. Public media is immeasurably better for his service.
We mark the end of his distinguished service to the WGBH Educational Foundation, to the people of Boston, Massachusetts, to our nation, and to public media with respect, admiration, and gratitude and wish him well on his retirement.
RESOLUTION
PUBLIC SESSION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Monday, December 5, 2022
unanimously
Resolved,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation to
Robert A. Mandell
CPB Board Member 2019-2022
Audit and Finance Committee Chair 2021-2022
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the contributions to public media of Ambassador Bobby Mandell.
During his distinguished tenure on the Board, Bobby provided leadership and wise counsel and shared his deep commitment to strengthening the future of public media. He ably served on and chaired the Audit and Finance Committee, ensuring effective governance and oversight for the Corporation. We thank him for his dedication and his work to advance CPB’s mission to the benefit of our nation.
We mark the end of his service on the Board of Directors with respect, admiration, gratitude, and sadness.
RESOLUTION
PUBLIC SESSION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, December 1, 2021
unanimously
Resolved,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Gratitude and Appreciation to
Beth Courtney
Executive Producer, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, 1976-1985
President and CEO, Louisiana Public Broadcasting, 1985-2022
Member, CPB Board of Directors, 2003-2010
Vice Chair, CPB Board of Directors, 2008-2010
As Beth Courtney prepares to retire from a long and distinguished career in public broadcasting, the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes her extraordinary record of service and achievement.
The longtime leader of Louisiana Public Broadcasting (LPB), Beth Courtney became one of the first women to achieve national leadership in broadcasting. Under her leadership, LPB has grown from a single television station in Baton Rouge to a statewide network of seven stations, all committed to educational, cultural, and historical television programming, website development, and digital streaming. She led the production of multiple award-winning documentaries, and created and hosted the longest-running weekly news and public affairs television show Louisiana: The State We’re In.
During her years of distinguished service on the CPB Board, the board of PBS, and the board of America’s Public Television Stations, Beth eloquently presented the views of the public television station community. As vice chair of the CPB Board, she championed and advanced public media’s mission of providing educational content and services to communities across the country and worked to strengthen the public broadcasting system.
Beth Courtney has been a passionate advocate for public broadcasting for more than 45 years. We mark the end of her exemplary service in public broadcasting with respect, admiration, and gratitude, and wish her well in retirement.
RESOLUTION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
unanimously
RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation to
Elizabeth Sembler
Member, CPB Board of Directors, 2008-2020
Chair, CPB Board of Directors, 2014-2016
Vice Chair, CPB Board of Directors, 2012-2014
Chair, Audit and Finance Committee, 2008-2014; 2018-2020
Chair, Education Committee, 2011
Member of the American Archive Task Force, 2009-2012
Member of the Ombudsman Task Force, 2014
Board’s representative to the PBS Programming Services Committee,
2011-2013; 2017-2020
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Elizabeth Sembler.
During her distinguished tenure on the CPB Board, Ms. Sembler has been a champion of education and journalism. She has represented the CPB Board at public media gatherings, presented CPB recognitions and awards to educators and stations at local American Graduate events, and on behalf of CPB attended the Tree of Life: A Concert for Peace and Unity in support of the Pittsburgh community following the tragedy at the Tree of Life Synagogue.
Ms. Sembler is the longest-serving chair of the Audit and Finance Committee. Under her chairmanship, CPB convened the Future of Public Media Board Retreat, which reaffirmed CPB’s focus on innovation and reaching new and diverse audiences. She has advocated for Board meetings at urban and rural stations, and under her leadership, CPB has gained a deeper understanding of local challenges and accomplishments.
We mark the end of her second term of service on the CPB Board of Directors with respect, admiration, and gratitude.
RESOLUTION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
unanimously
RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation to
Judith Davenport
Member, CPB Board of Directors, 2014-2020
Chair, Executive Compensation Committee, 2017-2020
Member of the Ombudsman Task Force, 2014
Member of the Broadcast Spectrum Committee, 2014-2016
Member of the Education Committee, 2014-2016
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Judith Davenport.
During her distinguished tenure on the CPB Board, Dr. Davenport was a champion of education, journalism, education and diversity. She served on the Broadcast Spectrum Committee, Corporate Governance Committee and Ombudsman Task Force, and chaired the Executive Compensation Committee, providing wise counsel and valuable expertise.
As a dentist for two decades and a resident of Pittsburgh, she held the unique distinction of having been featured in Going to the Dentist, a children’s book written by the late Fred Rogers for his Mister Rogers’ First Experience series. She represented the CPB Board on numerous important occasions, including the presentation of CPB recognitions to journalists and recipients, and at the “Tree of Life: A Concert of Peace and Unity,” honoring those lost at Tree of Life Synagogue tragedy in her own Pittsburgh community.
We thank her for her dedication and her work to advance CPB’s mission to the benefit of our nation, and mark the end of her service on the CPB Board of Directors with respect, admiration, and gratitude.
RESOLUTION
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Wednesday, December 2, 2020
unanimously
RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Expresses Its Deep Appreciation to
Patricia Deal Cahill
Member, CPB Board of Directors, 2009-2014; 2015-2020
Chair, CPB Board of Directors, 2012-2014
Vice Chair, CPB Board of Directors, 2011-2012; 2018-2020
Chair, Interconnection Committee, 2020
Chair, Corporate Governance Committee, 2015-2020
Chair, Education Committee, 2011-2013
Chair, Executive Compensation Committee, 2011
Member of the American Archives Task Force, 2009-2012
Designated Representative of Public Radio Licensees
The Board of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting recognizes the extraordinary contributions of Patricia Cahill.
She brought a wealth of experience, leadership and wisdom from a public media career spanning more than four decades to her distinguished tenure on the CPB Board. Having served as a reporter, producer, program director, news director, general manager, NPR board member, and President of Public Radio in Mid America, she effectively communicated the needs and views of public radio stations. She was a tireless advocate of public media’s mission of ensuring universal access to high-quality content and services, over-the-air and online.
We mark the end of her second term of service on the CPB Board of Directors with respect, admiration, and gratitude.
RESOLUTION
PUBLIC SESSION
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
CORPORATION FOR PUBLIC BROADCASTING
WASHINGTON, D.C.
Tuesday, October 13, 2020
unanimously
RESOLVED,
That the Board of Directors
of the
Corporation for Public Broadcasting
Honors the 50th anniversary of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS)
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting celebrates the 50th anniversary of PBS, America’s most trusted institution and home for documentaries, educational content and arts programming.
PBS was established by the Corporation of Public Broadcasting in 1969 to operate and manage a nationwide program distribution system interconnecting all the local public television stations, and to provide a distribution channel for national programs to public television stations.
Over its 50 years of service, PBS has grown to 330 member stations serving all 50 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and American Samoa, and provides more than 1,200 hours a year of children's, primetime, educational and cultural content. Its broadcast signal is uniquely important to the 3.1 million American television households that lack access to cable or the internet.
Since its establishment, PBS has fulfilled public media’s promise to provide the American public with content and services in the public interest using media to educate, inspire, entertain and express diverse perspectives.
PBS has brought us outstanding programs like Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, Molly of Denali, Masterpiece, NOVA, PBS NewsHour and Washington Week, to name only a few, that are hallmarks of excellence known to every American.
Through the years, PBS has been home to some of the most outstanding journalists and documentary makers, including Robert MacNeil, Jim Lehrer, Gwen Ifill, Judy Woodruff, Ken Burns, Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Stanley Nelson, who raised the bar for excellence in journalism and filmmaking.
During these difficult times, when so much is keeping us apart, PBS continues to provide accessible, fact-based and innovative content that keeps us connected.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED
We, the Board of Directors of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, affirm and celebrate PBS’ achievements and contributions to our nation and mark its 50th anniversary with appreciation.