APMG NAMES SYLVIA STROBEL AS GENERAL COUNSEL

Jul 15, 2014

American Public Media Group (APMG) has named Sylvia Strobel as senior vice president and general counsel. APMG is the parent company of MPR.

In her role at APMG, Strobel serves on the executive leadership team, working closely with senior leadership on company strategies and implementation. She'll also serve as a key lawyer and adviser on all major business transactions, including acquisitions and joint ventures as well as oversee all government relations activities of APMG and its entities. In addition, Strobel will manage the organization's internal legal function and staff.

Strobel brings an extensive background of legal experience and strategic leadership and operating experience in public media. For more than 20 years, she's worked with media organizations as an attorney, chief executive, consultant and board member. Most recently, she served as interim CEO of the Alliance for Women in Media (AWM) and the AWM Foundation, and advisor to the Public Media Business Association (PMBA). Previously, she was president and general manager of the Pennsylvania Public Television Network. In 1996, Sylvia co-founded the law firm Lehmann Strobel PLC, where she is a partner providing legal and business consulting services to the nonprofit arts, cultural and media communities. She also has served as attorney and business advisor to the members of the National Minority Consortia, and as executive director of the Alliance for Community Media, which serves as a resource and advocate for the nation's 3,000 public, educational and governmental cable television channels.

"Sylvia's passion for public media and her breadth of legal and executive experience--from broadcasting to regulatory matters to public affairs, and from emerging technologies to digital rights management--is ideally matched to our needs and our plans for the future," said Jon McTaggart, CEO. "I'm excited to add Sylvia's diverse background and talents to lead our already stellar legal and public affairs teams."

Strobel attended St. Olaf College, William Mitchell College of Law, and the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota. Earlier in her career, she served as deputy general counsel and director of business affairs for Twin Cities Public Television and also worked for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

"I am honored to join an outstanding team of public media visionaries," said Strobel. "The stellar programming and critical services provided by APMG - locally and nationally - depends on strategic leadership, support from the community and belief in the common good. I am looking forward to contributing to this great organization and the communities it serves, and being a part of the future of public media."

Strobel serves on the boards of the Association of Junior Leagues International, Junior League of Baltimore, Wide Angle Youth Media and is a member of the FCC Advisory Committee on Diversity. She is also a member of the National Press Club, The Federal Communications Bar Association, Independent Sector and Women in Film and Television. She holds an M.B.A. from the Carlson School of Management at the University of Minnesota and a J.D. from William Mitchell College of Law.