penn state public broadcasting / creative group

Tom Keiter

Director of New Business Development

A respected communications consultant, filmmaker, and producer, Keiter’s accomplishments include awards from the American Film Institute, International Film and Video Festival, and the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (Emmys).

Keiter was department head of Penn State’s film and video program for fifteen years.

Melanie Doebler

Director of Public Engagement & Development Consultant

A project development and evaluation consultant for over 20 years, Doebler has been working in public media for the past five years. She brings a unique set of communication and engagement skills that serve to connect academe with the public.

Inspired by: Fresh Ideas • Laughter • Animal Rescue • Gary Snyder • Great Metaphors

Stephen Stept

Director of Production

Stept's long career as a writer-producer-director of narrative and documentary television programming includes award-winning programs for PBS’s American Experience, American Masters, and American Playhouse. He also has written and directed work for PBS luminaries including Bill Moyers.

Joe Myers

Creative Director

This talented filmmaker has received Mid-Atlantic Emmy best documentary honors for his A Road to Independence and Grange Fair: An American Tradition, now in national distribution with PBS.

Elaine Brzycki

Funding Relations Manager

Our grants and contract relations manager thrives at facilitating relationships with corporations, foundations, and organizations. Brzycki helped to raise nearly $1,000,000 dollars for our Liquid Assets initiative.

Inspired by: The difference that can be made by effective partnerships between communities, the University, and public broadcasting

Babs Bengston

Director of Educational Services

With over 20 years experience, Bengston leads a team in the development of multimedia materials for the K-12 classroom, including the creation of educational components for Liquid Assets.

Inspired by: Chocolate • Broadway musicals • Teachable and “aha” moments • Patterns in data

Mindy McMahon

Lead Producer

For more than ten years, McMahon has been producing award-winning, client-driven media projects. Her portfolio includes both broadcast and non-broadcast productions used for marketing, promotion, and recruitment.

Inspired by: Sunshine • My Dog • True Stories

Stephanie Ayanian

Senior Producer/Director

Producer and co-director of Liquid Assets, Ayanian seeks projects that serve the greater good. Independently, Ayanian has received recognition in national film festivals.

Inspired by: Filmmaker Atom Egoyan • The Movement of Water • Armenian music, food, and language

Diane Espy

Senior Producer/Director

This resourceful producer collaborates with Penn State Cooperative Extension and other partners to produce educational videos. Her portfolio includes a major initiative on natural gas development in the Marcellus Shale, Pennsylvania's Gas Rush.

Inspired by: Nature • Beautiful orange and purple sunsets • Backcountry skiing in the Sierra mountains • Water in all forms

Daniel Loht

Resource Coordinator

Loht provides a vital link between production and finance, developing internal processes to improve team efficiency.

Inspired by: Rain on a tin roof • Italian opera • Smart comedy

Catie Grant

Producer/Writer

Grant has a degree in film and video and produces short form videos for Penn State Public Broadcasting.

Inspired by: Movie scores • Movie plot twists • Artists

Kevin Conaway

Associate Producer

A journalist for nearly 15 years, Conaway has produced award-winning and compelling content for television, radio, and the Web.

Inspired by: People willing to share their stories • Family and friends • Sacrifice and hard work

Cheraine Stanford

Associate Producer

Jamaican-native Stanford began her career in print journalism and recently worked at WETA on the award-winning PBS show Washington Week with Gwen Ifill and with filmmaker Albert Maysles in New York.

Inspired by: Family • Albert Maysles • Good writing • Good stories • Passionate people

Lindsey Fausette

Project Associate

Fausette assists with funding, community outreach initiatives, and project management. She was production coordinator for Liquid Assets among other local productions and national documentaries.

Inspired by: My daughter’s laugh • Breathtaking landscapes • Rainy days with good books

Tom Wilson

Web Developer

Our developer builds information spaces and creates compelling user experiences utilizing the latest technologies. Wilson’s work spans from interactive flash games to customized video players.

Inspired by: Data visualizations on nytimes.com • Independent video games • Pictograms (Mexico City ’68) • Fritos, Tab, and Mountain Dew

Steve Nelson

Designer

This design and communications specialist sweats the details and is dedicated to quality from concept to delivery. Nelson led the web and print design work for Liquid Assets.

Inspired by: Burritos & Guacamole • Typography • Cool Shoes • Alexander Calder & Andy Goldsworthy

Emily Wiley

Content Developer

With a focus on clear and concise communications, Wiley transforms rough copy into purposeful web content. She identifies multimedia components that add value and delivers a complete package to clients.

Inspired by: Autumn leaves • Vintage jewelry • Acoustic guitars • Cookbooks