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WCNY Public Media announces hiring of new Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Chris Geiger

by Rouhollah Goudarzi

October 28, 2016

Chris Geiger will join WCNY Public Media in a newly created role of Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer on November 1, 2016. In this position, Geiger will work with President and CEO Robert Daino on a broad-based expansion of the company, developing new revenue-generating enterprises, expanding program production to the national level, and working toward creating a new, more entrepreneurial model for non-profit public broadcasting.

Geiger was formerly the President and CEO of CNY Central WSTM TV. He returns to Syracuse after working as an Executive Consultant to Videa, a division of Cox Media Group in Atlanta GA, and as Vice President and General Manager at FOX Connecticut Media Group-WTIC in Hartford CT.

While at CNY Central, Geiger rose through the ranks from Sales Manager to General Manager to President and CEO. The CNY Central brand includes WSTM, an NBC affiliate; WSTQ, a CW affiliate; and through a shared service agreement, with WTVH, a CBS affiliate.

“I am extremely happy to be making this announcement and to have someone as talented as Chris joining our team” said Robert Daino. “In the past several years, WCNY has taken bold steps to diversify our revenue streams, making us less dependent on government and soft-money funding while at the same time increasing our ability to serve our members and the community. We want to continue this trajectory and increase our capacity which will ultimately increase the value of this community-owed asset.”

“As we enter a new phase of growth, it takes strong, experienced, and strategic leadership to drive expansion and lead our successful endeavors such as Enterprise America and 415 Productions as well as to continue the development of a robust national presence for our programs and documentaries. Chris’ combination of media company management, digital platform development, and contract negotiation skills are the perfect fit—plus he brings a keen understanding of our regional market that will allow him to make an immediate, positive impact to our organization and the communities we serve.”

Geiger is a native of the Binghamton area, a graduate of the University of Virginia and has spent his entire career in the broadcast television and digital industry. He has extensive knowledge of all aspects of multiple television station management, as well as significant, high level business, community, and industry relationships. He lives in Manlius, NY.

“What Bob has achieved is nothing less than extraordinary,” said Geiger. “WCNY has been transformed from a sleepy public TV station into a model for the Public Broadcasting system, moving from an outdated building with aging technology into it’s new LEED-platinum certified, state-of-the-art facility that’s an anchor for Syracuse’s Near Westside Initiative. Together, we have set our sights on leveraging even more of WCNY’s strengths, of creating and delivering more content and services and charting new opportunities in the exponentially growing digital media market.”

“Having the opportunity to partner with Bob in driving and leading WCNY to its enormous potential is tremendously exciting. I am delighted to be back in Syracuse and I look forward to working every day with the highly capable staff at WCNY on the next step of the company’s journey.”