Posted on July 26 at 12:22 p.m.

As a 27 year community media professional and the CEO of a community media center, I'm always interested in what is happening at community television centers around the country. The leadership challenges at SB Channels that have been in the news lately sadden me.

I’ve known Keri Stokstad for more than 10 years. Ms. Stokstad has worked in community media for more than 20 years. She built two access centers from the ground up - one in Washington and one in Massachusetts. She is a woman with enormous talent, calm demeanor, professional passion, and high ethical standards. She has exceptional management skills, fully understands the quirky nature and challenges facing community television, and is more than capable of managing the Santa Barbara Channels in a manner that will move the organization forward. I've seen her bring the most diverse groups of people together to find consensus. Her ability to think strategically about how to leverage the light-speed changes in our technology simply awes me. She is politically savvy and fully aware of the critical need for strong relationships with local jurisdictions. She knows how to do her job. Any access center would be fortunate to have her at the helm.

Deborah Vinsel, CEO
Thurston Community Television
Olympia WA

On Infighting at Santa Barbara Channels