Kent Geist was 19 years old when he walked into WVIZ/PBS for the first time. And for the past 40 years, Kent has been a passionate advocate for public television and radio and the people that it serves.
Between attending college and serving in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years, Kent became a WVIZ/PBS camera operator, floor manager and technical producer. As his skill and experience broadened, Kent was promoted to crew chief, producer and director of special projects. Five of the programs Kent produced during this time were nominated for regional Emmys, and two of the programs took the statuette home.
Throughout his career, Kent has generously volunteered his time and talents to further the cause of public broadcasting as evidenced by his involvement in a wide variety of national committees. For example, he served as National Chairman of the Childrens Fundraising Task Force and the PBS Development Ethics Task Force.
Kent has become the face of WVIZ/PBS, not only because of his constant on-air presence during the stations pledge drives, auctions and WVIZ/PBS Cooks! series, but because of his active participation in the community as well. Among his many civic involvements, Kent served 15 years on the Parma Heights Planning Commission and is a member of the Advisory Committee of Hospice of the Western Reserve. Hes currently Chairman of the Board of Directors for Parma Community General Hospital.
In 2004, Kent was inducted into the Silver Circle of the National Academy of Television & Arts, Cleveland Chapter, to recognize his significant contributions to both his industry and the community throughout his career.
Kent and Barb have two adult children, Greg (and his wife, Emily) and Megan (and her husband, Zane), two grandchildren and a variety of "grand pets." The couple enjoys traveling abroad and exploring the world, but equally loves returning home to their native Cleveland and basking in all that the community has to offer.
