WASHINGTON – March 3, 2026 – America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) today presented the 2026 David J. Brugger Community Leader Award to Dax Schieffer, representing Montana PBS.
The Brugger Award, named for APTS’s long-time former President and CEO, David Brugger, is presented annually to a community leader who has supported the work of public television through their dedicated leadership and service.
Dax Schieffer has been a tireless advocate for public broadcasting, both on the national and state levels. Schieffer served as Chair of the Friends of Montana PBS Board of Directors. Additionally, Schieffer was a member of the APTS Board of Trustees and served on the APTS Board Legislative Policy and Advocacy Committee.
“Dax Schieffer is an extraordinarily effective advocate for public broadcasting, both on the national level and in his home state of Montana,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations. “Dax has a long and distinguished history as a leader and supporter of Montana PBS. He is an unwavering and eloquent champion, committed to effectively telling the story of Montana PBS and the public television system.
“As someone who has dedicated his career to uplifting Montanans and showcasing the immense beauty and wonder of Big Sky Country, Dax’s passionate support for the work and legacy of Montana PBS and its indelible impact throughout the state is infectious.
“Dax is respected by legislators throughout his state, all of whom recognize the abiding affection Dax has for Montana. When Dax speaks about his local station and the unparalleled value of local public television stations throughout the country, legislators know that it is coming from a place of deep understanding of the values of his state and the impact that public television can have on the lives of those throughout the state.
“We are immensely grateful for Dax’s generous investment of time and energy on behalf of public broadcasting, and we are honored to present the 2026 David J. Brugger Community Leader Award to Dax Schieffer which he so richly deserves.”
“Dax sincerely believes in the public good that Montana PBS brings to our communities, from our educational children’s content to Montana history programs that promote lifelong learning,” said Aaron Pruitt, Director and General Manager of Montana PBS. “Dax also possesses a remarkable, and wonderfully disarming communication style which has helped him reach across traditional lines and expand the tent of public media supporters.”
“After more than a dozen years leading advocacy for Montana PBS at both the state and national levels, Dax still shows up on my Zoom screens with the commitment and enthusiasm of a new convert,” said Peg Wherry, Board Chair of Friends of Montana PBS. “His legacy will be felt in Montana many years into the future.”
“I’m truly honored by this recognition, which reflects the shared commitment of our volunteers and station leadership to service, access, education and public safety,” said Dax Schieffer. “I’m proud to support Montana PBS as it continues to educate, connect and inspire Montanans sharing diverse stories, celebrating our independent spirit and providing trusted public television for generations to come.”
Dax Schieffer served as Chair of the Friends of Montana PBS Board of Directors and has a career in media relations, public affairs and human resources. Schieffer is the principal of Big Sky Solutions & Strategies, serving statewide clients in consulting on nonprofit management, economic development and education.
Schieffer grew up in eastern Montana, 50 miles from the smallest television market in the country. Fortunately, his home was within the umbrella of Montana PBS, providing quality, educational programming. In 1997, Schieffer received a bachelor’s degree from Montana State University in Bozeman and entered the private sector, joining Big Sky Resort, a subsidiary of Boyne Resorts.
Over 18 years, Schieffer served in several leadership positions in marketing and public relations at Big Sky Resort. For six years, Schieffer was on the Executive Team as the Director of Human Resources. He maintained volunteer and fundraising positions for the regional United Way, Big Brothers Big Sisters and was a founding member of the Big Sky Rotary Club.
In 2010, Schieffer was awarded the Montana Governor’s Ready Award from the Governor’s Office of Community Involvement and in 2024 received an Alumni Achievement Award from MSU. For 10 years, Schieffer served on the Big Sky Fire Department as a firefighter and EMT, obtaining recognition as the firefighter of the year in 2010. He supports student journalism as the Chair of the MSU Exponent Publications Board, the campus student newspaper.
Today, Schieffer contracts as the Executive Director of the Montana Council for Economic Education, improving economic and financial literacy for Montana’s youth. In addition, he is the Director of Voices of Montana Tourism, a nonprofit advocacy group providing education and outreach to improve Montana’s visitor economy and main street businesses.
Schieffer resides in Helena, Montana, with his wife Chantel and son Dax who attends middle school.
The 2026 David J. Brugger Community Leader Award was presented to Dax Schieffer during the APTS Public Media Summit on Tuesday, March 3, 2026.
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About APTS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) is a nonprofit membership organization ensuring a strong and financially sound public television system and helping member stations provide essential public services in education, public safety and community connections to their local areas and the American people. For more information, visit www.apts.org.
Contact:
Stacey Karp
202-654-4222
skarp@apts.org