Victor Hogstrom, right, with Carlos Smith. Click to enlarge.
photo by John Wilson
As Victor Hogstrom, president and CEO of the community's public television station WTCI-TV 45/DT29, prepares for his departure from the Chattanooga-based station to accept a similar position at a public television station in Kansas City, Mo, he said he encourages viewers to continue to
support WTCI's mission.
"I hope local community and business leaders recognize the hard work WTCI's staff has put forward to make Channel 45 the best public television station it's size in America," Mr. Hogstrom said. "It is with a heavy heart that I leave WTCI, but I know the groundwork for progress has been laid and that the station will continue to grow and prosper. I would like to thank the people of Chattanooga, businesses, foundations and organizations that made my job so rewarding."
His last official day at WTCI will be July 29. The WTCI Board of Directors recently named Bryan Fuqua, vice president of technical services, the interim president and general manager until a permanent one is named.
Mr. Hogstrom became president and CEO of Channel 45 in 1991 after eight years as general manager of KIXE-TV in Redding, Calif. After beginning his television career in Utah in 1973, his career progressed to include positions in commercial, cable access and noncommercial stations. Hogstrom has bachelors
and masters degrees in mass communications, international relations and political science from Brigham Young University.
In addition to his new career opportunity, Mr. Hogstrom recently married the former Lovest Marietta Harris at St. Paul's United Methodist Church in Newport, Rhode Island. Employed as a Information Technology Specialist at Harvard University Library, she will be joining Mr. Hogstrom after his move in Kansas
City.
Mrs. Hogstrom has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Computer Science from Johnson and Wales University and a Master Degree in Information Technology from Harvard University in Cambridge, Mass.
In his tenure at WTCI, the public television station received three Emmy nominations for local programming and earned the trophy for the 2001 documentary "12 Days in Dayton: The Scopes Monkey Trial." Over a dozen local programs, including "Southern Accents" and "One on One," were added over the
past decade. In addition to successfully raising funds for WTCI's daily operating budget, Mr. Hogstrom also raised several million dollars to convert WTCI's analog signal to the federally-mandated digital, to purchase the new 31,000-square-foot building on Bonnyshire Drive in Chattanooga, build a newer
and taller tower on Signal Mountain, purchase some of the area's finest studio equipment and attracted excellent staff members. Community outreach programs, such as Ready to Learn, the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest and the WTCI Kids Klub, were also founded under Mr. Hogstrom's influence.
Higher viewership and visibility throughout the Tri-State area allowed Channel 45 to begin broadcasting a digital signal on DT 29 and provide 24 hour programming for viewers.
"Victor came to 45 when the board was looking for someone to move the station forward," said Paul Starnes, a WTCI board member for 15 years. "He has been able to increase the quality and variety of programs while providing a solid financial structure for WTCI to stand on. Victor is a great asset for Chattanooga and built 45 into a first class public television station."
Carlos Smith, WTCI's vice chairman, echoed Mr. Starnes' comments. He said, "Victor's talent and energy have contributed immeasurably to the success and growth of WTCI," Smith said. "It has been our community's good fortune to have him as chief executive of our community's public television station. Becoming head of a station in a top-30 market is a tribute to him and we wish him much success in his new position."
Virginia Andrews, a longtime board member and former chairwoman, praised Hogstrom's leadership. She said, "I deeply regret the loss of such a fine supporter and administrator of public television. Victor has greatly enhanced all aspects of our local public television station. Kansas City will be getting a wonderful administrator. It is certainly a loss for Channel 45."