Ken Kolbe, Assistant General Manager – Operations of WGVU in Grand Rapids, Michigan, was recently inducted into the Silver Circle by The National Academy of Arts and Sciences. Mr. Kolbe will be honored on Sunday, February 25 for his more than 30 years of outstanding service and leadership in the television broadcasting community. Ken joins WGVU’s Assistant General Manager – Community Relations, Chuck Furman, and Programming Manager, Carrie Corbin, who have both been previously inducted.

Ken joined WGVU in 1995 as News and Public Affairs Manager. In that position, he oversaw the operation of WGVU Radio, while producing and co-hosting a weekly TV Public Affairs program. In 1997, he also took over the duties of News and Program Manager of WGVU Radio and was then promoted to Operations Manager for both TV and Radio. Finally, in 1999, Ken was named Assistant General Manager – Operations, a position that he still holds today.

As Assistant General Manager, Ken oversees all TV and Radio programming and production, including all weekly television programs and documentaries. He has been Executive Producer for three Michigan EMMY award-winning documentaries, David Plowden: Light, Shadow and Form, Surviving Auschwitz: Children of the Shoah and Defying Hitler. He was also instrumental in the development of WGVU’s Instructional Television service, including the creation of a companion web site for the program, featuring subscription-only services and teacher resources.

Recently, Ken has also been in charge of New and Evolving Technologies at WGVU, including web-based programs, podcasting, streaming video and other innovations. He has taken on the responsibility of keeping WGVU on the forefront of technology as we continue our digital conversion and explore new way to reach our audience through multicasting and online content. As television progresses and becomes much more than something to watch, PBS is adapting its traditional programs to the new environment; Ken is charged with making sure that WGVU continues to keep pace.

Everyone in the Public Television community congratulates Ken Kolbe on this well-deserved honor.