Board Chairman honored by PBS as
Development Professional of the Year

Kent Geist, the chairman of Parma Hospital’s Board of Trustees, was honored at the annual PBS Development Conference as Development Professional of the Year.

Geist, who was appointed to the Hospital Board in 2006 as a representative from Parma Heights, is the senior director of community development for ideastream, parent company of WVIZ/PBS and 90.3 WCPN. He has made an indelible mark on local broadcasting through a career spanning four decades.

“This award comes as no surprise to those of us who know and work with Kent at Parma Community General Hospital,” says Parma Hospital President & CEO Patricia A. Ruflin. “Kent is a proven leader who inspires innovation and is committed to serving his community.”

The award was presented at the annual PBS Development Conference in San Antonio, Texas. The C. Scott Elliott Development Professional of the Year Award presented to Geist was first awarded in 1990 and is named in honor of one of public broadcasting’s most respected individuals. It recognizes the contributions of a development professional with a passion for and commitment to public broadcasting who progresses the medium and conducts business with the highest degree of integrity and ethical standards.

“Kent has been an inspiration within public television for more than 30 years,” said PBS President and CEO Paula Kerger, a former recipient, in presenting the award. “He’s a brilliant fundraiser within the community, caring mentor among development professionals and has served as a passionate leader on the Development Advisory Committee. On a personal note, Kent is one of the first people I reached out to when I joined public television 16 years ago. His willingness to share his wisdom with colleagues, even newcomers to the system, impressed me tremendously. Like Kent, all of this year’s winners represent innovation, hard work and leadership at stations across the country. Without their development efforts, PBS would not be able to fulfill its mission to the American public.”  

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