Offering public approval of Gardiner’s leadership

Maine’s legendary editor Russ Wiggins (and my former boss at The Washington Post) used to say, there are three things everyone thinks they can do better: build a fire, hold a baby and edit a newspaper. Add to this, run a broadcast station.

Well, let me tell you, as a former newspaper editor, a commercial and public television official, a Maine commercial radio owner, a seasoned community activist and Maine Public Broadcasting trustee I think Rob Gardiner has done a remarkable job in running Maine Public Broadcasting for the past 10 years.

First off he pulled two competing systems together. Eliminating duplication of programming and fund raising. He expanded the number of radio and television stations reaching more of the farflung communities throughout our vast state. He worked with the various cable and satellite systems to carry Maine public television and radio signals. He led the way in providing internet access for the radio programs.

Two months ago Maine Public Television went digital programming with the prospect of providing four different programs simultaneous. It was his vision and perseverance that made this happen. Of course he didn’t do it alone, but without question it was his leadership that made this happen.

Maine is one of the few statewide systems that is on the air with digital broadcasting. Of course we are ahead of the pack because of an enlightened legislature that agreed to provide an appropriation as seed money, an enthusiastic and supportive electorate that voted by 65 percent to support a bond issue to fund Maine Public Broadcasting’s technical conversion to digital broadcasting and dedicated private citizens and organizations who provided funds to match the public contribution.

Now under Rob Gardiner’s leadership we are working to provide an ambitious $5 million start for a programming endowment . This funding will give Maine PBS the resources to produce and present more local, community -based programming.

It is quite understandable that Rob wants to do something different at this time in his life. Twenty-one years of the intense and anxious dedication to a nonprofit cause (31 years of public service which included running the Natural Resources Council and serving in state government) is about all one could ask of one person.

He exits Maine Public Broadcasting having succeeded in a series of goals no one could have expected to be reached when he took the job. The organization is in excellent hands with a really remarkably able staff, with a superb balance sheet (I have never before worked for a nonprofit that has always had a positive financial statement), and an experienced and savvy successor.

I went through the process finding Rob Gardiner’s successor. We really did search far and wide, in broadcasting and out of broadcasting for the perfect fit. As an aside, I would just as soon never hear again the expression “thinking outside the box.”

Fortunately, the committee was headed by Wickham Skinner, a retired Harvard Business School professor, and included the former publisher of the Portland Press Herald, John DiMatteo; Colby College president, Bro Adams; the trustee chairman, Anne Jenkins; Portland marketing specialist, MaryEllen FitzGerald; Bangor Savings president, Jim Dowe; and the chairman of Maine Public Broadcasting’s community advisory board, Jay Fortier.

The finalists included four very capable women, who were thoroughly briefed on the operation, met with the executive staff and the union representative It was an extremely difficult selection. Our unanimous choice was Mary Anne Alhadeff head of the North Dakota statewide television and radio system.

She’s terrific.

Rob Gardiner is leaving a superb organization he can be proud of and it will be in good hands.

Helen Sloane Dudman lives in Ellsworth.