Former VPR prez named to lead Maine public radio, TV

FROM VERMONTBIZ NEWS - Nov. 30, 2011

 

The former president of Vermont Public Radio has been hired to lead the Maine Public Broadcasting Network. The Board of Directors of the MPBN announced Tuesday that it had chosen Mark Vogelzang as its new President and CEO. Vogelzang will be in charge of both public radio and television. In Vermont, public television is a separate entity.

Vogelzang, 56, is a veteran of public broadcasting, having served most recently as station manager at WBFO-FM, Buffalo's NPR member station, where he helped facilitate a merger to be completed in 2012 between WBFO and WNED in western New York.

Vogelzang was also president of Vermont Public Radio (VPR) for 16 years, from 1993 to 2009, where he helped the organization complete a $10 million endowment campaign and created two regional networks - one that carries news, information and cultural programming and another devoted to classical music and the arts. He was elected to NPR's Board of Directors for seven years (2001-2008), and served as the Executive Director (Interim) of the NPR Foundation for most of 2009, overseeing the foundation's entire fundraising operation.

Like its Maine counterpart at MPBN, VPR is a statewide network in a largely rural state with a relatively small population, and the similarities in the challenges faced by each played a key role in his selection, according to MPBN Board Chair Henry "Hank" Schmelzer.

"Mark's long tenure as the leader of a statewide public media network in northern New England with a roughly equal number of stations, individual donors and corporate supporters," said Schmelzer, "combined with his deep knowledge of non-profit fundraising, makes him the ideal candidate to lead MPBN into the future."

When he takes over as the head of MPBN in January, Vogelzang will replace Jim Dowe, who has been MPBN's President and CEO since April 2006 and who last spring announced his plans to retire at the end of this year.

Prior to leading VPR, Vogelzang worked as Program Director and Radio Manager at WHYY in Philadelphia, helping Terry Gross with the national launch of "Fresh Air" and assisting colleagues with national television productions, and led a major format change in Philadelphia public radio in the early 90's.

Vogelzang received his BA degree from Dordt College in Iowa, where he also began his public radio career at the campus radio station. He and his wife Rhonda have 5 adult children and 5 grandchildren. 

Jim Cantore of the Weather Channel teaches at Lyndon State

Almost 30 years ago, when I was a reporter for the St. Albans Messenger, I discovered that curious readers wanted explanations for strange weather phenomena. Once I called Stuart Hall of WCAX to explain that double corona around the sun. He was very cordial and helpful, and I think the story was well read because everyone in St. Albans had seen the strange phenomena that morning and wondered what had caused it. And when the paper hit the streets that afternoon - voila! And by the way - the answer was "atmospheric ice crystals."

The following press release from Lyndon State College, one of the nation's finer training grounds for media people covering the weather, was printed on Vermont Digger this morning.

LYNDON CTR., VT.: The Weather Channel’s on-air personality and self-described ‘Weather Geek’ Jim Cantore (LSC Class of ’86) visited Lyndon State for his annual workshop “TV Weathercasting Techniques” on November 12. This is the eighth year Cantore has given the class. The full day class offers senior broadcast meteorology students the opportunity to be mentored, coached, and critiqued by Cantore.

Cantore was again joined by meteorologist Kerrin Jeromin (Class of ’08). Jeromin is the meteorologist for Fox 44 Local News This Morning and ABC22 This Morning in Burlington, Vermont.

The day began with a presentation about the general state of broadcast meteorology, strategies for breaking into the business, and trends from within the field including the push towards “hyperlocal.” Cantore stressed the importance of being both passionate and compassionate in your line of work. Both Cantore and Jeromin discussed the process of finding that first broadcast job and tips on becoming successful. The class visited via Skype with Lou Michaels of Talent Dynamics.

Michaels talked to the students about producing a solid resume tape. She also discussed developing a viewer-friendly personality and the importance of on-air appearance. Michaels spoke of the role of social media and helped with advice about the job search.

The afternoon session concentrated on one-on-one studio work. Cantore watched tapes of each student’s earlier broadcast work and offered individual critiques and guidance. The student then had time to work in front of the chroma-key wall (green screen) where weather maps are projected. These sessions were taped and allowed Cantore and the students a final individual session. While Cantore was in studio, Jeromin watched show tapeswith the other students and shared advice on improving on-air performance.

The class didn’t end there. Both Cantore and Jeromin subsequently send each student a written assessment. The pair will watch more broadcasts in the spring and submit analysis on the students’ progress.

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