ROD BATES (CHAIR EMERITUS)

Rod Bates is General Manager of Nebraska Educational Telecommunications, Director of University Television & General Manager, Station KUON-TV, University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Secretary/Treasurer, NET Foundations for Radio and Television; Board of Directors, American Public Television, Board of Directors, National Educational Telecommunications Association; and Board of Directors, Co-Chair Organization of State Broadcast Executives; Board of Directors, Native American Public Telecommunications.

Rod is a long-time communications and television industry executive. He was the managing general partner of Bates and Associates: Communication Specialists. He founded the Lincoln firm in 1987 to help private companies, institutions and government organizations improve their communications strategies. Before starting Bates and Associates, Rod was director of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development and Nebraska Telecommunications and Information Center. He also served on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmental Education Advisory Council.

Rod came to Nebraska in 1975 as a producer and director at the NET. He was promoted to senior producer before being named Assistant Director, and then Director of Development for Nebraskans for Public Television, Inc.

Rod earned an associate degree in theater arts from El Camino College, and a B.A. in telecommunications and film from San Diego State University. He is married to Robin, and has three children: Andy, Nicole and Daniel.