News » Changes in the Access Tucson Leadership

From the Acting Executive Director, Lisa Horner

June 10th the Access Tucson Board of Directors met to address the serious issues facing our organization at this time. This is also the meeting that the Board elected its officers.

Here are the results:

Chair: Bob Kovitz
Secretary: Karla Ronquillo
Treasurer: Salomón F. Baldenegro

The At-Large members of the Executive Committee are:
J. Lisa Jones
Steve Leal

These are significant changes in leadership and ones that I embrace on our path to not only survive the dire financial crisis at hand, but to move Access Tucson into a new beginning.

I have been a part of this organization from virtually the beginning—first as a producer and then as staff (starting as a Member Services Representative in 1986). I have been a part of the battles, triumphs and losses that Access Tucson has experienced.

I am indebted to the leadership that I have learned from: Jan Lesher, Sam Behrend and La Monte Ward. I have also been grateful for the unsung heroes (and sheroes) of the Board of Directors. These leaders have worked behind the scenes but at the front of battling each storm to ensure the survival and growth of community media in Tucson.

I would like to acknowledge the service and some of the recent changes in this leadership.

J. Lisa Jones
Board Member 1991
Board Chair 2004 – June 10, 2010

In true Access Tucson form, Lisa started as a producer in 1984 creating an important video for the Arizona Head Injury Foundation. This Foundation would never have been able to afford or find another individual with the same level of passion and dedication as Lisa. She put in countless hours on this project which promotes biking helmet safety for children. I got to know her during post-production. You get to know a lot about a person in an edit suite. I watched her care for each and every frame of that video. I was impressed and moved by the combination of what community media resources can provide and what community members can accomplish with those resources.

She went on to lead the Access Tucson Board.

Lisa has brought that same intricate level of care to governing the Board and championing the cause for the community’s ability to use media to make a difference.

She will continue to give her time and energy as an active Board member. We are lucky to benefit from her guidance at this time.

Thank you Lisa for your continuing service.

Bob Kovitz
Board Chair, June 2010

Stepping up to the plate is Bob Kovitz. Bob got his start in cable television in 1968. He wrote the first cable television franchise/ordinance for the City of Ft. Lauderdale, FL. He got involved with Access Tucson through helping to initiate and produce the Town of Oro Valley’s first programming with Access Tucson. He was the regular host for the Oro Valley segment of the “Government Connection” series.

To read Bob’s Board Candidacy application and see the video click here.

See Bob’s open letter to the membership on the front page. He is already demonstrating that he has the right stuff!

Ben Jacobs
Treasurer 1986-June 2010

Ben has acted as Treasurer of the Board since the beginning of time. That alone is an amazing contribution to our organization. As one of the elected officers, Ben additionally served on the Executive Committee and volunteered as part of the Grants & Scholarships Committee. All of this service represents a tremendous amount of time and illustrates his dedication.

Ben acted as the equipment support organizer for the 2000 Alliance of Community Media national conference held here in Tucson. Ben pulled in resources from Pima Community College and all across town to support what has been referred to nationally as the best conference ever!

Ben’s good sense and humor will still be appreciated as part of the current leadership as he continues to serve on the Board.

Salomón F. Baldenegro
Treasurer, June 2010

Sal has been a member of Access Tucson since 2006. I believe him when he says:

“Access Tucson is the voice of the people. It is, therefore, invaluable and irreplaceable. I believe that my skills, knowledge, and expertise can be of great benefit to Access Tucson, and to our community.”

Sal has stepped up to act as Treasurer for the Board. He is embracing this new role and values what he can learn from the former Treasurer, Ben Jacobs. This relationship embodies the steps that need to be taken to ensure Access Tucson’s future—learning from our past and harnessing the talent and energy of new, dedicated participants.

I told Sal that we need his young blood, his brains and maybe his back occasionally for load out and strike. Community Media is a contact sport!

Sandee Brooke
Board Vice-Chair 2002 – 2010

A member of Access Tucson since 1988 and Board member since 2002, Sandee continues to be an important link between the community service sector and community media. Involved in over 20 of the organizations looking out for the people of Tucson, Sandee ended her Access Tucson Board of Directors term in April.

Sandee produced the long-running series Abilities and Disabilities and continues to be an advocate for people of all abilities. She and her service dog, Darling will continue to be involved in fundraising, advocacy and activism efforts at Access Tucson. We are all grateful for that!

Gerald Harwood
Board member and Secretary 1988 – 2010

In Jerry’s own words:

“Concentration of commercial media ownership and distribution among a few giant conglomerates is limiting the variety and depth of music, discussion, entertainment and news coverage that Americans see and hear, as well as greatly diminishing local community coverage. Detailed coverage of local events and debate of political and controversial issues for large audiences is increasingly limited to those who can afford to produce and purchase air time for expensive advertising; and even then, media owners sometimes refuse to broadcast or publish ideas with which they disagree. For these reasons, public access television, community radio and public broadcasting are vital to the protection of the social and political balance of power upon which survival of America’s constitutional democracy depends”.

Can I get an Amen?!

Jerry’s service on the Board was not limited to the Office of Secretary, but included participation on the Grants & Scholarships Committee since the beginning. Jerry gave away a lot of dollars to independent producers over the years.

Jerry remains VERY actively involved as the voice behind Access Tucson’s Twitter presence. Follow Access Tucson news, views and insights regarding community media and the spectrum public voice issues in 140 characters or less @accesstucson.

Karla Ronquillo
Secretary, June 2010
Board Member 2005

Karla began her involvement with Access Tucson as a Member Service Representative—the hardest job there is. The front desk is THE point of entry and fields calls and questions ranging from technical production issues to distinguishing the difference between Access Tucson and AHCCCS Health Insurance. She’s done it all.

Karla served on the Grants & Scholarships Committee and now is willing to step in and take on another superhuman role—Board Secretary. It involves keeping track of all that is decided at any Board meeting—not an easy task.

Thank you Karla for your commitment to community media while working as assignments editor at KOLD.

Karla has served on the Board since 2005.

Steve Leal
Elected April 2010

Mr. Leal rounds out the Executive Committee. With 20 years on the Tucson City Council, I think we have an expert opinion on all things city government. Steve has been a champion for public, education and government access from the start:

“I very much believe in the principle and need of free speech in American life. I have actively fought for it all my life. Tucsonans are very involved in participating in shaping the destiny of their own community. Access Tucson is a foundational tool for Tucsonans to do this”.

Steve’s experience, heart and leadership are fortuitous at this point of the story.

Thanks Steve.

Dan Harrigan
Elected 2010

You know Dan as the long-time producer and host of Harrigan Afterhours and Noche de Sonora. Dan became a member in 1985 and a public access producer in 1988, focusing on the musical side of Tucson. Dan works in the theater, film and television industry professionally. I also hear that he grows a mean tomato and participates in the Community Food Bank Farmer’s Market.

Dan now steps in to help to represent the voice of active producers on the Board. We welcome Dan to his new volunteer role at Access Tucson.

Mary Charlotte Thurtle
Tucson Pima Arts Council Representative
Appointed June 2010

Mary Charlotte Thurtle has been a Pan Left member since 2000, during which time she has focused on documentaries about women and girls whose stories don’t get told in the mainstream media. Since 1994, Pan Left has connected activists and artists in community. Our mission is to create and distribute videos that expose viewers to social and political issues. She has also been an Access Tucson member since 2000.

Mary Charlotte has a degree in Anthropology from the University of Arizona and is working on a Masters of Arts at Prescott College. She is the Executive Director of Pan Left.

Mary Charlotte is representing The Tucson Pima Arts Council whose mission fosters artistic expression, educational development and the economic growth of our diverse community by supporting, promoting and advocating for arts and culture.

Elizabeth Burden
Independent Producer Representative 2007-2010

Last, but not least—Liz Burden has stepped down from her seat on the Board of Directors as the representative for independent producers. From her role as Executive Director of Pan Left Productions to her passionate involvement with the arts community as both an artist and activist, Liz has put in the work to assist Access Tucson in its mission. She, along with Vicky Stromee helped guide the Board and staff through strategic planning for the organization. This plan will be an instrumental map for the coming future. Liz will continue to contribute as a guide. Somehow I don’t think she ever really leaves any organization–she’s just too valuable!

Thanks Liz.