Saturday, February 4, 2012

• Pressroom
• Contact Us
• About Prairie Public

Home » Television » Meet the TV Staff

Meet the TV Staff

Bob Dambach, director of television, began his Prairie Public career as program manager in 1985. In 1991 he became the manager of programming and production and was promoted to the director of television in 1996. He has a communications degree from the University of Dayton and a Masters degree in radio, television and film from the University of Iowa. Bob’s wife Virginia was Prairie Public development director from the mid ’80s to the mid ’90s. They have two grown daughters who live in the Fargo area. Bob provides the male voice that you hear at the end of on-air promotions and has appeared on screen in more than 100 Prairie Public television membership drives. Some of Bob’s award winning productions include “The Germans From Russia,” “Schmeckfest,” “Pyramids on the Prairie,” “Nature in the Balance” and “The Old Red Trail.”

Production

Executive Producer Kim Stenehjem is an Air Force brat who settled temporarily in North Dakota 35 years ago and hasn’t left since. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science degree in English education from Minnesota State University Moorhead and a Masters in management (marketing) from the University of Mary. She first joined Prairie Public in 1995 as director of its fledgling online service Prairie Online and built Prairie Public’s first web site (four whole pages with graphics!). She soon moved on to the television department to produce documentaries and studio programs. Kim said the most difficult part of a producer’s job is explaining what a producer does. Outside the television studio, Kim creates art quilts and one-of-a-kind handmade purses. Her vast extended family includes one husband, two children, one son-in-law, and two grandchildren in addition to hundreds of nieces, nephews, siblings, in-laws, and cousins scattered across the country.

Production Manager Barbara Gravel was born in Pittsburgh, PA and was raised in Poland, Ohio. She began her career at Prairie Public as a director in the production department from 1990 until 1998. She took an eight-year break to be a stay at home mom, but returned to Prairie Public in 2006 as production manager. Barbara received her Bachelor of Arts degree in television production from Bowling Green State University in Ohio and a Master of Arts degree in public relations from North Dakota State University. Barbara taught television production at North Dakota State University (1992-1996).  Her short time away from Prairie Public only strengthened her passion for award winning television production, specifically directing and producing. She lives in West Fargo with her husband Tom and their three young children. Her hobbies include practicing yoga and traveling.

Television producer Matt Olien was born in Great Falls, Montana. Since joining Prairie Public in 1998, he has produced many documentaries, appeared on air in pledge drives, interviewed newsmakers, and currently serves as producer of Prairie Public’s weekly interview show “Prairie Pulse.” The most fun Matt had working on a project was producing the Emmy nominated “One Shining Moment: The History of the North Dakota State ‘B’” chronicling the history of small town, high school basketball in North Dakota. In addition to his television responsibilities, Matt review films each Friday on Prairie Public’s radio program “Hear it Now.” Movies are one of Matt’s big passions, so he also serves as an adjunct professor in film studies at Minnesota State University. Moorhead. Prior to coming to Prairie Public in 1998, Matt worked as a news reporter for KXJB TV, Fargo-Grand Forks. Matt is married and has two children.

David Geck came to Prairie Public as a videographer/editor in 1989 after spending four years in commercial television as a news shooter. His career at Prairie Public has taken him all over the world, but his favorite place is still the prairie of North Dakota.  He has been a part of many award-winning documentaries at Prairie Public.  He is the proud father of two beautiful daughters and his spare time is spent at his home near Glen Ullin on the ranch where he grew up.

Heidi Nelson grew up in the small farming community of Page, North Dakota.  She came to Prairie Public in 2005 after receiving degrees in communications/mass media and English writing from Concordia College in Moorhead, MN.  She spent her last year of college honing her skills at the BBC in London where she was worked on stories and projects for television, radio and the web.  As an editor/director/videographer at Prairie Public, she enjoys the variety of projects she is able to work on.  She also appreciates the fact that she is able to meet so many fascinating people throughout the region and learn about so many different and interesting subjects.  When she is not watching documentaries or movies she enjoys reading, baking and traveling with her husband.

Production Assistant Ryan Sailer was born in Bismarck, ND and attended college at Minnesota State University Moorhead. He began work at Prairie Public right after he graduated in 2008 with a degree in film production and mass communications. As a production assistant at Prairie Public, he gets to do what he enjoys most: a little bit of everything! Video editing, cinematography, and lighting are his favorite areas of production, though. Ryan is involved with the Fargo film community and enjoys being a part of the Fargo Film Festival every year. Outside of work, Ryan enjoys watching movies, bowling, playing video games, biking and photography.

Videographer Frode Tilden was born in and grew up in Vestre Slidre, Valdres Valley in Norway.  He came to the United States as a high school exchange student and stayed on to attend the University of North Dakota where he earned a BA with a major in communication and minor in geography.  After serving as a photojournalist at several local news stations, Frode joined Prairie Public in 2008 as a videographer. Lately at Prairie Public, Frode has been working on the documentary “Our State Fair, The North Dakota Experience.” His interests are many: triathlons, dancing, cross-country skiing, traveling and other activities, and he is a member of Sons of Norway. Frode completed his first Fargo Full Marathon in May 2009 with a finish time of 4:28:09 and it’s not the last one…

Ben Stommes started at Prairie Public as a production assistant in April 2008.  He originally grew up in Fergus Falls and moved to the Fargo-Moorhead area to attend Minnesota State University Moorhead.  There, he majored in film studies and graphic communications and minored in computer science.  During his time as a student, he made many short films including “Buddies,” which won awards at the Fargo Film Festival and Rochester Film Festival.  At Prairie Public, he has particularly enjoyed working on “North Dakota Musicians,” for which he helped build and light the set, operate the camera, and edit.  Ben likes to create 3D animations and visual effects for films in his spare time.  He is also enthusiastic about Pixar movies and anime as well as other types of films.

Education Services

Beverly Pearson, education services manager, began her career in public television in June of 1991 as the coordinator of the instructional television service of Prairie Public and Lakeland Public Television. As education initiatives grew at Prairie Public, she was promoted to education services manager in 2002. A North Dakota product, Bev earned a Bachelor of Science degree in English, speech and drama, and library science education and has done graduate work at the University of North Dakota and North Dakota State University. Prior to joining Prairie Public, Bev taught English and communications for several years, was a high school media specialist, and co-owned and managed several small businesses including radio stations in North Dakota and Oregon. She continues her interest in local sports, including her recreational and instructional participation in curling.

Dan Anderson joined Prairie Public in February of 2010 as an education services associate.  After a 13 year career as an elementary teacher, Dan attended graduate school to obtain Masters and Specialist degrees in Educational Leadership.  He served as a principal at various PreK-12 grade levels in different schools for the past 18 years.  In a move back to his ‘home area’ Dan accepted a position here at Prairie Public.   Working in Education Services gives Dan the chance to draw from his diverse educational training and experiences to help improve teachers’ and parents’ use of digital media while improving children’s educational skills and knowledge.

Jamie Anderson joined Prairie Public in April 2011 as an education services associate.  She has a bachelor of science degree in mass communication and speech-language pathology.  Jamie has an extensive background working with children.  A few of these experiences include working as a preschool teacher at Cobber Kids in Moorhead,  teaching English as a second language in Spain, volunteering at a preschool in South Africa, and working as a speech-language pathology assistant in Iowa.  She is currently pursuing a masters degree in school counseling at MSUM.  Jamie also is the owner of Jamie’s Little Yogis, where she teaches yoga at birthday parties for kids to raise money for the children she taught in South Africa. Jamie’s favorite things include traveling, her dog Marley, her husband Tyler, and spending time with family.

Crystal Pound joined Prairie Public in May 2011 as an education services associate. She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and mass communications. She was in intern here at Prairie Public starting in the fall of 2010 and a consultant starting in December 2010 before joining full-time. Crystal has worked with children in the area for the last four years, through programs such as Metro-Youth Partnership, Fargo/Moorhead Youth Commission and the Restorative Justice program in Moorhead.

Programming and Traffic

Cheryl Heller was born in Fargo, ND and raised in Moorhead, MN.  She began working at Prairie Public on April 16, 1966 as a receptionist. After a stint in the secretarial pool, Cheryl then moved to the traffic department and is currently the operations and scheduling manager in the television department.  She is a graduate of Moorhead High School and Dakota Business College.  Her most important project is keeping on top of the technological and operational aspects of our interconnection with PBS where she interacts with engineers and master control operators on a daily basis so Prairie Public’s on-air look is flawless.  In 2006, Cheryl received a plaque of recognition from the Board of Directors in honor of her 40th anniversary.  She has an extensive 350 thimble collection and loves the Minnesota Twins and Vikings.

Program Manager Steve Wennblom was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He joined Prairie Public in 2000 as part of the “Riverwatch” team. Steve continues to serve as a documentary producer and team leader for television pledge. With more than 20 years broadcast news and public affairs experience, Wennblom has served as a producer and general assignment reporter in radio and television stations in Illinois, Oregon and North Dakota.  He served as part and full-time news assignment editor for a CBS affiliate in Fargo, ND.  Wennblom received a Bachelor of Arts degree in speech communication from the University of North Dakota.  Steve enjoys spending time with his wife and daughter.  His hobbies include bicycling, gardening, sailing and hunting.

Programming Assistant Terri Greene was born and raised in Maddock, ND. After attending North Dakota State University, Terri lived in several parts of the United States and came back to North Dakota about four years ago. Terri came from a human resources background, so the television broadcasting industry was new to her, but she enjoys the challenge and looks forward to years at Prairie Public. Terri enjoy golfing, skiing, biking, reading, movies and theatre, and spending time with her family.

• Pressroom
• Television
• Radio
• Education
• Support
• Events