(GpB MINUTES OF THE GEORGIA PUBLIC TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2018 The April 2018 meeting of the Georgia Public Telecommunications Commission (d/b/a Georgia Public Broadcasting) was at GPB headquarters in Atlanta Georgia. ‘Commission Members Present: Ms. Jan Paul, Chair Ms. Slone Evans Ms, Mary Ellen Imlay Mr. Terry Wingfield Staff Present ‘Ms. Teya Ryan Ms. Tiffany Brown Rideaux Ms. Emmalee Hacksaw Ms. Alison Hashimoto Ms. Bert Huffman ‘Ms. Liz Laprade Mr. Andrew MacCartney Ms, Tanya Ott Ms. Veronica Pemberton Daniels Mr. Adam Woodlief Visitors: Ms. Gail Evans, GPB Foundation Board Member A quorum being present, Ms. Paul called the meeting to order at 11:09 a.m. She welcomed everyone. The first item of business was approval of the proposed agenda. Ms. Paul called for a motion. Ms. Imlay made, and Mr. Terry Wingfield seconded the motion to accept the agenda as proposed. The motion passed unanimously. The second item of business was approval of the minutes from the April 2018 board meeting. Ms. Paul called for a motion, Ms, Evans made, and Ms. Imlay seconded the motion to accept the minutes as proposed. The motion passed unanimously.President’s Report Ms. Ryan introduced the newest members of the executive team ~ Ms, Alison Hashimoto, Chief Content Officer and Mr. Adam Woodlief, Chief Technology Officer. Both Ms, Hashimoto and Mr. Woodlief gave the board details about their backgrounds. GPB Radio - Ms. Ott announced Virginia Prescott as the new host of On Second Thought. Virginia was a host of New Hampshire Public Radio's Word of Mouth program, which explores emerging and under-reported stories from local, viral and popular culture. She also co-created and hosts NHPR’s popular podcast Civics 101, which reached #6 on the Apple podcast chart, and co-created and hosts the 10-Minute Writers Workshop Podcast, which explores the writing process of authors like Salman Rushdie, Colson Whitehead, Roxanne Gay and others. Virginia's not just a talk show host, she’s also produced talk shows. She was an associate producer for On Point and senior producer and editor for Here & Now - both nationally distributed programs that are carried on GPB Radio. Virginia began her career in public radio at WWOZ in New Orleans, managing studio operations and live broadcasts including the annual New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival. Virginia also started the station’s newsgathering efforts and served as its programmer. She then moved to WNYC as Director of Interactive Media, overseeing the digital properties for On the ‘Media, Studio 360 and Radio Rookies. Virginia has personal ties to Atlanta and is a member of the National Advisory Board for AIR Serenbe. She visits the city regularly and is very excited about relocating to Atlanta permanently. Digital Update ~ Mr. Andrew MacCartney provided an overview of the Okefenokee Swamp Live Exploration Experience ~- a Virtual Tour with Interactive Elements, GPB Education is bringing the land of the trembling earth to the classroom with a live exploration of the Okefenokee Swamp. 28,000 people have already registered for this initiative. Students will uncover the beauty of the untamed wetland, witness the power of the mighty alligator, and 3interact with swamp experts during this live streaming event. The event will be streamed from the Okefenokee Swamp Park in Waycross, Georgia on May 3 at 10 a.m. Human Resources- Ms. Veronica Pemberton Daniels reported that GPB has recently staffed eight new employees for the following departments : Engineering & Technology (CTO), Executive (COO), Radio & News (Digital Producer, Managing Editor, OST Host and OST Executive Producer), External Affairs (Foundation Relations & Grant Writer, Leadership Giving Officer) GPB External Affairs: Mr. Bert Huffman announced an update to PBS’ The Great American Read. GPB launched an interactive web page at GPB.ORG/READ where Georgians can vote for their favorite book and even take a fun quiz to see what their “Book Personality” is. Ms. Emmalee Hacksaw gave detailed information regarding The Great American Read. She elaborated that book fans all over the country are celebrating their favorites through The Great American Read, an eight-part television and online series designed to spark a national conversation about reading and the books that have inspired, moved and shaped us. Ms. Hacksaw explained that with a rich literary history in Georgia, it's hard not to find books and authors with a southern connection on The Great American Read’s list, With classics like Gone with the Wind and modern favorites like The Help, it's easy to see why southern tales, culture, and history has inspired so many great reads. GPB will unpack the themes, unique characters, and landscapes found in Southern literature that make us laugh, cry, and shape us into who we are. Panelists Regina Bradley (Kennesaw ty of Alabama) and Erich Nunn (Auburn State University) Andy Crank (The Univei University) will hold the conversation moderated by GPB's Bill Nigut. Over the summer months, GPB will be leading a statewide reading campaign by partnering with libraries and independent booksellers to encourage people to read, discuss and share their favorite books.