ALEXANDRIA, VA - April 13, 2005 - Following a nation-wide search, Cheri Carter has been appointed Executive Director of the PBS Foundation, an organization formed in June 2004 to help ensure the long term financial stability of PBS and its member stations. Ms. Carter will report directly to PBS President and CEO Pat Mitchell, who also serves as the President of the PBS Foundation Board. She will begin work at PBS headquarters in Alexandria, VA on May 2.
In her new role, Ms. Carter will have primary responsibility for directing the activities of the PBS Foundation, which will seek, cultivate and receive extraordinary and major gifts and grants at the national level. Ms. Carter will work collaboratively with the PBS Foundation Board and member stations to expand PBS' philanthropic donor base.
"We are extremely fortunate to have such an extraordinary professional as Cheri joining us to lead the PBS Foundation," said Peter Hero, Chairman of the PBS Foundation Board. "Cheri brings to this position an outstanding track record in building national programs combined with exceptional energy and passion for the mission of public television."
Ms. Carter will work closely with Ronnie Gunnerson, who was appointed Senior Advisor, PBS Foundation Relations in 2004 and has served as Acting Executive Director of the Foundation. Following the transition, Ms. Gunnerson will take on new responsibilities at PBS.
Ms. Carter joins PBS from the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, where she served as Vice President, Corporate and International Development since 2004. Prior to that, she held the position of Vice President of Development for the Glaser Foundation from 2001 to 2004. In 1999 and 2000, Ms. Carter was Chief Operating Officer of LA Convention 2000, the Host Committee for the Democratic National Convention. She also served as Special Assistant to the President and Chief of Staff in the Office of Public Liaison for the White House from 1996 to 1999. Ms. Carter has extensive experience in public affairs, management and development, including positions in the Department of Commerce, the Presidential Inaugural Committee and the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, among others.
About PBS
PBS is a private, nonprofit media enterprise that serves the nation's 348 public noncommercial television stations, reaching nearly 90 million people each week. Bringing diverse viewpoints to television and the Internet, PBS provides high-quality documentary and dramatic entertainment, and consistently dominates the most prestigious award competitions. PBS is the leading provider of educational materials for K-12 teachers, and offers a broad array of educational services for adult learners. PBS' premier kids' TV programming and Web site, PBS KIDS Online (pbskids.org), continue to be parents' and teachers' most trusted learning environments for children. More information about PBS is available at pbs.org, the leading dot-org Web site on the Internet. PBS is headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia.
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CONTACT:
Tia Gordon, 703-739-5183, ttgordon@pbs.org