2026 David J. Brugger Community Leader Award
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, Montana PBS
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) presented the 2026 David J. Brugger Community Leader Award to Dax Schieffer, representing Montana PBS.
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.”
2026 Pillar of Public Service Award
Sylvia Strobel, President and CEO of Twin Cities PBS (TPT)
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) presented the 2026 Pillar of Public Service Award to Sylvia Strobel, President and CEO of Twin Cities PBS (TPT), for her exceptional work in education, public safety and community connections, in service to the people in the Twin Cities and its surrounding areas.
The Pillar of Public Service Award recognizes the contribution of an extraordinary leader and innovator in one or more of public television’s three essential public service missions: education, public safety and community connections.
“Sylvia’s extraordinary work at Twin Cities PBS has exemplified public television’s pillars of public service in education, public safety and community connections,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations.
“As a leader in the education space through the Ready To Learn grants, Sylvia and her team developed the educational programs SciGirls and Skillsville and lead active education work in the community through TPT Learn Academies, which provide educational afterschool opportunities for kids.
“In addition, Twin Cities PBS has been an exceptional leader in public safety through TPT NOW by providing public health and safety information in English, Spanish, Hmong and Somali languages to help Minnesotans be healthy, safe and ready for emergencies.
“And TPT is a foundational part of creating community connections in countless ways, including the longstanding statewide public affairs show, Almanac, and through the commitment to telling the stories of Minnesota and engaging the community through a variety of local productions and events.
“We are all inspired by Sylvia’s dedication and passion for our public service missions and are immensely grateful for her unwavering commitment to Twin Cities PBS and our system. It is my great honor to present Sylvia Strobel with the most well-deserved 2026 Pillar of Public Service Award.”
2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award
Jeff Tucker, General Manager of Idaho Public Television
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) presented the 2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award to Jeff Tucker, General Manager of Idaho Public Television, for his work in building relationships and support for public broadcasting within the Idaho congressional delegation, the Idaho state Legislature and federal policy makers.
The APTS Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award, named for APTS’s longest-serving former President and CEO, is presented to station leaders who excel in telling the story of their local station’s work in education, public safety and community connections, and how federal and state funding make that work possible.
“Jeff Tucker is a tireless advocate for public broadcasting, both in Congress and throughout the state of Idaho,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations. “Jeff has been an extraordinarily effective champion of our cause, working diligently to engage the Idaho delegation on the essential value of his local public broadcasting station and the important services they provide in communities throughout the state, especially in rural communities.
“Throughout this past, most challenging year, Jeff not only worked incredibly closely with his congressional delegation to make sure they understood the impacts of the rescission and how essential it was that some level of station funding was restored, but he also helped share the same messages with other key federal stakeholders. His assessment of the impacts on his station and other local stations throughout the country in similar positions has added an invaluable and highly trusted perspective to the ongoing discussions about the need for funding for local stations.
“Jeff is well regarded by his congressional delegation and their staff. He has a reputation for being an honest straight shooter and his word bears tremendous weight with decision makers.
“Additionally, year after year, Jeff has relentlessly advocated for state funding for Idaho Public Television, effectively making the case for the critical work the station does throughout the state and how the state investment makes that work possible.
“We are extremely grateful for Jeff’s unwavering and persistent dedication, and we are honored to present him with this most well-deserved 2026 Patrick Butler National Advocacy Award.”
2026 Protect My Public Media Award
The Protect My Public Media Award recognizes the exceptional work of stations and their staff in support of the Protect My Public Media grassroots campaign.
PBS SoCal, Los Angeles, California
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) presented the inaugural 2026 Protect My Public Media Award to PBS SoCal.
The Protect My Public Media Award recognizes the exceptional work of stations and their staff in support of the Protect My Public Media grassroots campaign.
“Andy Russell and his team at PBS SoCal demonstrated extraordinary system leadership during a consequential time for local public media stations,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations.
“In all the years of Protect My Public Media, we have never seen this level of creative investment from a station. PBS SoCal stepped forward and produced five high-impact celebrity video spots for use across the public television system – an unprecedented contribution – helping energize supporters and inspire action during a challenging year. These video spots were shared widely across social media and broadcast on public media stations across the country this past summer.
“We are deeply appreciative of the time, resources and vision that PBS SoCal invested in Protect My Public Media this year. It is my honor to present them with the inaugural Protect My Public Media Award which they so richly deserve.”
Lori Overdorf, Director of Foundations and Government Relations of Buffalo Toronto Public Media
America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) presented the inaugural 2026 Protect My Public Media Award to Lori Overdorf, Director of Foundations and Government Relations at Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
“Lori Overdorf’s creativity, vision and initiative in promoting Protect My Public Media and incorporating it into local station community events helped significantly increase the campaign’s impact,” said Kate Riley, President and CEO of America’s Public Television Stations.
“Lori set a new standard for stations by building a visible, local campaign presence. The time, resources and passion that Lori has devoted to this effort strengthened local engagement with the campaign and catalyzed similar on-the-ground grassroots efforts nationwide. We are profoundly appreciative for her relentless efforts, along with the entire team at Buffalo Toronto Public Media.
“We are extremely grateful for Lori’s tireless passion and dedication, and we are honored to present her with this most well-deserved 2026 Protect My Public Media Award.”