ALEXANDRIA, Va. November 17, 2000 - PBS veteran Stephan G. Scheel, technical operations supervisor, has been promoted to senior director of technical systems planning, a newly created position in the technical and operations division of the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS). The announcement was made by Ed Caleca, senior vice president of technology and operations. Mr. Scheel will report to Gwen Wood, vice president, distribution services and operations.
Building on its commitment to maintaining public television's leadership position in digital broadcasting and technology applications, PBS recently reorganized its technology and operations division. The establishment of the new senior director post is part of that restructuring process.
"From demonstrating an extraordinary commitment to serving stations to developing strategic solutions to complex technical challenges, Steve has amassed a distinguished record of achievement at PBS," stated Mr. Caleca. "By appointing such an experienced and talented professional to this new key position, we are further strengthening our commitment to providing superior customer service to the station membership and ensuring we remain on the front lines of the digital transition."
In his expanded role, Mr. Scheel will work with interdepartmental teams to analyze and implement efficient, cost-effective procedures and systems in the technical operations of PBS. He will also develop an ongoing training program for technical staff and assist the engineering and technical services division in planning for future expansions and changes.
Mr. Scheel began his career in public television in 1969 as a studio supervisor at Nebraska Educational Television in Lincoln, NE. He came to PBS in 1973 as a technician, and within three months he was named supervisor of the PBS technical operations center. Highlights of his notable tenure at PBS include playing a key role in developing and building the first multichannel automated PBS facility, as well as taking part in the design and construction of the first digital PBS technical center. He assisted in the creation of PBS Schedule X (a 24-hour, fully packaged broadcast satellite feed) and served on the team that selected and implemented the Louth Automation System and Pinnacle Video Servers that are currently used in the PBS technical operations center.
A native of Holdrege, Nebraska, Mr. Scheel studied electrical and chemical engineering at the University of Nebraska.
PBS, headquartered in Alexandria, Virginia, is a private, nonprofit media enterprise owned and operated by the nation's 347 public television stations. Serving nearly 100 million people each week, PBS enriches the lives of all Americans through quality programs and education services on noncommercial television, the Internet and other media. More information about PBS is available at PBS.org.
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Jan McNamara
PBS
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