NJPBA BOARD VOTE SCHEDULED ON APPOINTMENT OF
KENT MANAHAN AS NJN ACTING EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

 STATEWIDE – The New Jersey Public Broadcasting Authority (NJPBA) Board of Commissioners has scheduled a special meeting for December 4, 2008 to consider the appointment of Kent Manahan as Acting Executive Director of New Jersey Network (NJN).

Manahan, Senior News Anchor for NJN News, would replace former Executive Director Elizabeth G. Christopherson and would serve as interim Acting Executive Director until a permanent successor is named.

“After working for more than 30 years as the anchor and a reporter on NJN News, Kent Manahan has become the face and voice of New Jersey Network,” said Acting NJPBA Chair Patricia A. Costante.  “Kent exemplifies the professionalism and dedication of all of NJN’s employees,” Costante said.  “She has gained the trust and respect of everyone who works with her and watches her on NJN.  Kent is the ideal person to lead the network,” Costante concluded.

Costante also praised former Executive Director Christopherson for 14 years of service during which NJN evolved into a 24/7 television and radio network and multi-media resource, with award-winning programs and services that promote and educate viewers about New Jersey.  NJN has the capability to reach every television home in New Jersey, as well as viewers in parts of Pennsylvania, New York, and Connecticut, over the air and through cable, FIOS, and satellite, and, through the Internet, viewers around the globe. 

“Elizabeth’s efforts were critical in making NJN the highly respected organization it is today,” Costante said, “and her vision has provided direction for the network’s future successes.”

State House Correspondent Jim Hooker, who was scheduled to succeed Manahan as anchor of NJN News effective January 2009, will assume her responsibilities this week.  Manahan, who announced in July that she had filed for the state’s early retirement incentive, would extend her retirement date to provide for an orderly transition.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION ON KENT MANAHAN

Kent Manahan, News Anchor of New Jersey Network’s Emmy-Award winning NJN NEWS, has been covering New Jersey for more than two decades, reporting on issues and events that affect residents of our state.  Every weekday evening, she provides in-depth coverage of New Jersey as part of NJN News, the only broadcast news program that covers the entire state.  The five-time Emmy Award-winning journalist reports on issues of statewide importance, including homeland security, education, politics, domestic violence and the elderly.  Her nationally broadcast documentary entitled Battered Wives, Shattered Lives told a compelling story of the damage caused by domestic abuse.  Counselors fielded thousands of calls during a live national call-in that followed the program, which received an award from the International Film and TV Festival of New York.  After working on this special, Manahan became actively involved with the New Jersey Battered Women's Shelter.

Manahan’s commitment to her viewers extends beyond the newsroom.  She is a dedicated wife and mother of six, but Manahan has still found the time to serve on the Board of Regents of Seton Hall University, the Board of the Tri-county Scholarship Fund and the Educational Opportunity Fund for Disadvantaged Youngsters.  She was named spokesperson for the Literacy Volunteers of America in New Jersey.  Her many activities underscore her commitment to education, and Manahan can often be found speaking to statewide community organizations and groups of students, encouraging scholastic and vocational endeavors.

Manahan has received many awards during her NJN broadcast career, including five Emmys and the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Woman of Achievement Award.  She also received the prestigious Caldwell College Presidential Award for her achievements in broadcast journalism as well as an Honorary Doctorate of Law degree from Kean University in 1993 and Richard Stockton College in 1988.

Her other citations include the Virginia Apgar Arts and Literature Award; the first Broadcaster of the Year Award from Montclair State College's DuMont Television Center; New Jersey Communicator of the Year and the Melitta Bentz Award for Women's Achievement.  Her reports have also won the New York Deadline Club Award and the Scripps-Howard National Journalism Award.  Manahan also appears in Denzel Washington's movie Fallen playing the part of what else - a TV news anchor.

www.njn.net

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