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Dan Schmidt
President & CEO, Network Chicago/Window
to the World Communications, Inc.; Co-Chair RTLP National Advisory
Council
Dan Schmidt is President and CEO of Network Chicago/Window to the World Communications, Inc., a $50 million non-profit multi-media initiative comprised of WTTW Channel 11, 98.7WFMT and networkchicago.com, as well as The Chicago Production Center and the WFMT Radio Network.
Schmidt began his career in the broadcasting industry at WHA Television and Radio in Madison, Wisconsin in 1977. He holds a M.A. in Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin at Madison and studied at Boston University Tanglewood Institute. From 1979-1991, Schmidt held a variety of management positions with Minnesota Public Radio. During his tenure there, he was named General Manager of a five-station group, which achieved a 44% increase in annual operating revenue. He has served on the Board of Directors of the U.S. Committee for UNICEF, as a consultant for Chamber Music America, and as a member of Radio Broadcasters of Chicagoland. He is also co-author of the book, "Administration in the Arts: An Annotated Bibliography."
He is the President of the Illinois Arts Alliance and Foundation, and sits on the boards of American Public Television (APT), the Chicago Council on Foreign Relations, and National Public Broadcasting. Mr. Schmidt is also a member of the Commercial Club of Chicago and the Chicago Economic Club. Prior to being named President and CEO 1998, he served as Senior Vice President of WFMT & The Radio Network for seven years. Recognized for developing 98.7WFMT's non-profit commercial hybrid business model, supervising the transition of the Network's satellite distribution to digital operation and expanding the Beethoven Satellite Network classical format to 24-hour operation. He also launched a national mainstream jazz radio format service and expanded the WFMT Radio Network's program distribution to international venues.
Since assuming his role as Network Chicago President and CEO in July of 1998, the station has launched six new PBS series, doubled local production, and completed a $50 million capital campaign. WTTW11 remains the most-watched public television station in America.
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