Gabe DiMaio - PRPD

What attributes would you bring to the PRPD Board of Directors?I will continue to bring the discipline, organizational skills, and analytical ability thathave served me well. I developed these skills while in the military and while achieving alaw degree; I use them now in my current positions at WNED and the PRPD.In addition to my role as secretary and the committee work normally associated withservice on the board, I have used these attributes to further additional projects for theorganization. They include an analysis of the PRPD by-laws, which providedrecommendations for updating the original organizing document. My current big projectis as project manager of the current strategic plan. This requires the ability to multitaskand to keep everyone moving in a concerted effort in the right direction.I hope that you will vote for me so that I can continue the work that I have been doing forthe organization. I still have much that I can contribute, and I look forward to theopportunity.What is the most important issue facing the programming profession and howshould PRPD address it?The most important issue facing the programming profession involves keeping up withall platforms and the other ways that we engage our audience. We must understand therelevance of each and how they work together. We must discern their effectiveness inproviding service and creating loyalty, increasingly done in an environment of reducedbudgets. It is easy to celebrate the “shiny new penny” that will save all public media.The more difficult thing is to make sure that we are investing in the next Facebook andnot the next AM Stereo.How do we do this? First, we communicate with those that we serve to find out whatthey like about us and how we can improve. We have to constantly reassess this. It iscritical that we not make assumptions that were part of the old media paradigm—and byold, I mean two years ago.Next, we must better communicate within our community. We can help each other figureout solutions to our mutual and individual challenges. In the abstract, we know thismakes us better but is often pushed down the list of things to do because of the pressureof daily tasks. Training is central to the PRPD mission, and it is correct for theorganization to increase the number of convenings year-around. It is not enough to waitaround for the September conference; it must be a constant and never ending search forinformation that will let us serve our audience better.

Gabriel S. DiMaiodimaiogs@aol.com74 Columbia Boulevard Kenmore, New York 14217 (716) 874-4741Public Radio Program Directors Association (PRPD)Secretary of the Board of Directors 2010-present Responsible for strategic leadership as Secretary and Member of the ExecutiveCommittee of the national organization of public radio program directors.Board of Directors Member 2006-presentResponsible for developing and implementing long-range strategies to assist themembership. Project Manager for Strategic Plan. Leader of the online PRPD ProgramDirector’s Handbook user group. Analyzed and recommended changes to theorganization by-laws. Chair of Training Committee (2010-present), Member of TrainingCommittee (2006-2007, 2009), Member of Conference Committee (2008-2010).Classical 94.5 WNED FM, Buffalo, N.Y.Program Director 2008-presentResponsible for the smooth operation of the public radio station including the efficientmanagement of the budget. Led a staff of seven full-time and ten part-time announcersand support personnel which included motivating, training, hiring, and firing. Directedprogramming and operations, leading negotations with content providers and othervendors, coordinating on-air pledge drive campaigns with the Development Department,and plannin/executing promotional campaigns. Analyzed audience data to maximizelistenership. Led Multiplatform Task Force and member of the Strategic PlanningCommittee.WBFO FM, Buffalo, N.Y.Assistant Program Director2005-2008Producer/Reporter1999-2008EducationHarvard Business School Club of BuffaloNot-for-Profit Management Development Program Certificate, May 2010State University of New York at Buffalo, School of LawJuris Doctor, May 2001

Buffalo State CollegeBachelor of Arts, Communication/Broadcasting, May 1986MilitaryUnited States Army1995-1998United States Marine Corps 1987-1991Operation Desert Shield/Operation Desert Storm Veteran.