Tom Axtell, General Manager of Vegas PBS, received the America’s Public Television Stations (APTS) Pillar of Public Service Award at the APTS Public Media Summit in Washington D.C. This award recognizes Axtell’s contribution and innovation inall three of public television’s essential public service missions: education, public safety and civic leadership.
“Tom has been an innovative and relentless advocate for community service at its finest, both on television and through a host of non-broadcast initiatives,” said APTS president and CEO Patrick Butler. “He has set a standard of public service to which every public television station should aspire.
Since Axtell’s leadership began in 1994, Vegas PBS has launched a dozen new broadcast and cable channels, developed new technology services to serve K-12 education and workforce development, and pioneered innovative emergency communication services. Vegas PBS’s commitment to civic leadership is exemplified in programs such as the weekly local affairs show Nevada Week. For the last decade, the station has ranked as one of the three most watched PBS stations in the U.S.
Born in Chicago, Axtell has worked at television and radio stations in Minneapolis/St. Paul, Fargo/Morehead, Spokane and Milwaukee. He has served as a college vice president for advancement, legislative aide to a state senator, political campaign manager and swimming coach. Axtell is a graduate of Gonzaga University Law School. He has been married for 42 years and has twin daughters.
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