Contact:
Tania Panczyk-Collins
202 654-4222
tpanczyk@apts.org
Association of Public Television Stations President & CEO John Lawson Steps Down
Will Join ION Media Networks as Executive Vice President, Policy and Strategic Initiatives
WASHINGTON—February 11, 2008—After seven years of dedicated service resulting in historical achievements that helped define the future of public service media, Association of Public Television Stations (APTS) President and CEO John Lawson is stepping down, effective March 14.
Lawson will join ION MEDIA Networks in a new position as executive vice president of policy and strategic initiatives based in Washington, D.C.
APTS Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Mark Erstling will serve as interim president during the search for Lawson’s replacement.
Lawson said: “When I came to APTS in 2001 I was told that Public Television was viewed on Capitol Hill as a ‘problem.’ If there is anything that I have been able to accomplish at APTS it is to reposition us as a solution to some of our nations most pressing problems. And that’s how we convinced Congress to fund our digital transition, increase our CPB appropriations and expand our role in education and Homeland Security. I’m also gratified with the voluntary agreements with the Cable industry, Version and DIRECTV to extend our new digital programming into tens of millions of American homes. I will miss working with my colleagues in Public Broadcasting. But I know there is a very bright future for public service media in the digital age.”
Lawson made his announcement during APTS Capitol Hill Day meeting at the Ritz-Carlton in Washington, D.C.
APTS Chairman of the Board John Hesse said: “John has been instrumental in making APTS one of the most successful and respected associations in Washington, D.C. Through his leadership and vision Public Television has achieved historical carriage agreements on America’s cable networks, Verizon and most recently with DIRECTV. His keen business sense and generous personality has made him not only a trusted advisor but a dear friend. He will be greatly missed and it’s a tribute to his leadership that APTS has an outstanding staff that will continue the mission of APTS.”
Under Lawson’s leadership, Public Television has pursued a legislative and regulatory agenda for the digital age and achieved unprecedented success. APTS has persuaded Congress to not only maintain, but increase federal funding for Public Television. This included funding for the digital conversion of stations, the next generation PBS satellite interconnection system, and the production of digital education content. At the same time, Lawson has successfully defended the editorial independence and First Amendment rights of Public Broadcasters, producers and journalists.
APTS also obtained from Congress favorable language for Public Television in higher education, vocational education, DTV transition and rural development legislation. In a major breakthrough, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security is funding APTS to pioneer the “dual use” of Public Television’s transmission infrastructure as the backbone of a new Digital Emergency Alert System for the nation.
Before becoming President and CEO of APTS in 2001, Lawson founded and managed Convergence Services Inc., a consulting and lobbying firm that focused on educational technology.
