Our People
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PCN’s Board of Directors |
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Brian Lockman,
President, Chief Executive Officer and Host
brianlockman@pcntv.com
Mr. Lockman was named President and Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Cable Network in February 1999. He joined PCN as Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in November 1994 after more than fifteen years with C-SPAN. One of C-SPAN’s original four employees, he served more than ten years as that network’s Vice President of Operations.
During his tenure at C-SPAN, Mr. Lockman produced and directed the first live television coverage of the Iowa presidential precinct caucuses, directed C-SPAN’s first live coverage of the Democratic and Republican National Conventions in 1984, and produced C-SPAN’s coverage of the aftermath of the military coup in the Soviet Union in 1991.
In addition, he served three years as Chairman of the U.S. Capitol Media Fiber Project, a consortium of all networks and news bureaus in Washington, and served one year as Chairman of the Radio-Television Correspondents’ Association, the organization composed of the Capitol Hill radio and television press corps.
Mr. Lockman is a founding board member of the Pennsylvania Press Club and served for three years as its first president. He is also a founding board member of NAPAN, the National Association of Public Affairs Networks, and a founding board member of the Pennsylvania Freedom of Information Coalition.
Since 1996 he has been the host of the weekly interview series “PA Books,” which features authors of books on Pennsylvania topics, and is a frequent host of the PCN Call-In program.
He is author of four books, “PCN Tours” released in 2003, “World War II: In Their Own Words” and “Pioneers of Cable Television” both released in 2005, and “World War II Reflections,” published in 2009.
Mr. Lockman is a native of Norwood, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, and is a graduate of Temple University in Philadelphia. He has been married for 34 years to Nancy Karvois Lockman, and they have two daughters.
Debra Kohr Sheppard,
Senior Vice President & Chief Operating Officer
debkohr@pcntv.com
Debra Kohr Sheppard’s responsibilities as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer include oversight of PCN’s Operations and Engineering departments, and executive oversight of the technical operations of the Programming Department. She is currently leading the effort to convert PCN to high definition, scheduled to begin in August 2011. Previously, she oversaw the design, construction, and implementation of PCN’s new digital technical facility which opened in 2004.
Debra has been with PCN since 1993 and is a Kutztown University graduate. She is an active member of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution serving as Regent of the Cumberland County Chapter. On the state level she is Pennsylvania’s Chairman of DAR Project Patriot, the committee which supports America’s active duty military personnel.
Corinna Vecsey Wilson, Esq.
Vice President of Programming and Host
corinnawilson@pcntv.com
Corinna Vecsey Wilson was previously the chief operating officer and general counsel at the Pennsylvania Newspaper Association, the statewide newspaper industry trade association. Corinna also served as a senior advisor to Pennsylvania State Treasurer Rob McCord and chief counsel to the Office of Open Records, a Commonwealth of Pennsylvania administrative agency.
Corinna graduated from Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY, and from the University of Minnesota Law School in Minneapolis, cum laude. She was awarded the Certified Association Executive designation from the American Society of Association Executives in 2006. After law school, Corinna spent nine years as a corporate lawyer, at the Fredrikson & Byron firm in Minneapolis and later with Buchanan Ingersoll in its Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, office. Before law school, Corinna worked as a reporter for The Associated Press in New York, a news clerk for The International Herald Tribune in Paris, and as the assistant to a New York literary agency, Literistic/Sterling Lord.
Melissa Hiler,
Vice President & Controller
melissahiler@pcntv.com
As Vice President & Controller for Pennsylvania Cable Network, Melissa’s responsibilities include financial reporting and preparation of the annual budget. In addition, she oversees the Human Resource function for PCN. In May 2007, Melissa was appointed to the PCN Board of Directors as Treasurer.
A 1991 graduate of Messiah College with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. She is a member of the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and a past President of its Harrisburg Chapter. Additionally she is a member of SHRM, Society of Human Resource Management. Melissa joined PCN in February 2007.
Thierry Malley
Vice President, Strategic Partnerships
thierrymalley@pcntv.com
As PCN’s Vice President for Strategic Partnerships, Thierry is charged with establishing and managing partnerships with various state agencies, businesses and associations in order to secure funding for various network programs and help provide funding options for network operations which includes special projects, events and future bureaus.
In addition, Thierry is responsible for the development of proposals and contracts as well as grant writing and research.
Joining PCN in November 2011, Thierry was formally associated with both development and advocacy work with various national and statewide afterschool groups. He is a native Pennsylvanian and received his undergraduate degree from the University of Pittsburgh and graduate degrees from Pitt and Penn State.
Joel Bechtel
Vice President, Marketing and Brand Development
joelbechtel@pcntv.com
As Vice President of Marketing and Brand Development at PCN, Joel oversees the marketing and brand development of all services including new product development and management as well as community outreach. While charged with running all aspects of the network’s marketing department, he also oversees all network on-line marketing and sale efforts which includes PCN web-based subscriptions and the PCN store.
A graduate of Elizabethtown College, Joel has 26 years experience in the broadcasting industry. For 20 years, he worked at WITF-TV holding various posts including the title of director of learning technologies before his departure to WHVL-TV in State College. A minority owner of WHVL-TV, Joel held the position vice president and general manager for the television station. Before coming to PCN, he operated a media consulting business.
Michelle Harter,
Director of Corporate Communications
michelleharter@pcntv.com
As Director of Corporate Communications, Michelle is responsible for all public relations aspects of the network including media materials and press releases; affiliate, media, and community relations; special projects and network promotion as well as affiliate acquisition.
In her affiliate relations role at the network, Michelle oversees the needs of participating cable operators as well as develops network community outreach programs for those affiliates. She is also involved in the negotiation and handling of carriage agreements.
Prior to her employment with PCN, Michelle was an advertising and marketing consultant for large and small businesses. She was also a News Director, Anchor, and General Assignment Reporter at a cable news station in Virginia and a General Assignment Reporter with WGAL-TV. Michelle holds a B.A. in Radio-TV-Film: Broadcast Journalism with a minor in Political Science from Temple University.
Francine Schertzer,
Supervising Producer and Host
francineschertzer@pcntv.com
Francine Schertzer is a Supervising Producer with PCN.
She oversees production of PCN’s flagship public affairs show, the PCN Call-In Program, where viewers can speak directly with elected officials and newsmakers, and is a regular weekly host. Francine oversees PCN’s coverage of PA House floor proceedings and is intimately involved with producing various legislative and political events, including coverage of the state budget process and state-wide elections. Additionally, she produces the weekly “PA Books” program and a variety of specialty programming.
Francine joined PCN in 1997. She is a 1997 graduate of Susquehanna University, holding a Bachelors Degree in Mass Communications and Writing. As a student, she worked at NBC’s London Bureau and completed an adult summer program at Oxford University.
Corey Clarke,
Philadelphia Bureau Chief
coreyclarke@pcntv.com
Corey Clarke has been the PCN Philadelphia Bureau Chief since it opened in January 2002. He is responsible for the daily operations of the bureau including covering Philadelphia-related events and provides coverage and technical support for PCN programming originating in the area. Corey has also been an on-air host for a number of PCN Profiles.
A graduate of Kutztown University with a degree in Electronic Media, Mr. Clarke first began his career with PCN in September 1998.
Doug Sicchitano,
Pittsburgh Bureau Chief
pittsburgh@pcntv.com
Doug Sicchitano’s responsibilities include the daily operations of the Pittsburgh Bureau, covering PCN-associated Pittsburgh events, as well as maintaining stable PCN coverage and support for area programming. In addition, Doug plays an integral role in building relationships for PCN with Pittsburgh media outlets, elected officials, and western Pennsylvania viewers.
A 2000 graduate of Bethany College with a degree in Film and Television, Doug began his career at CNN and joined PCN in October of 2004.
Larry Kaspar,
Producer and Host
larrykaspar@pcntv.com
Larry Kaspar is a Producer at PCN, and can be seen on air during PCN’s live Call-In program, “On The Issues,” as well as “PCN Profiles.”
Larry produces “On The Issues,” a 30-minute interview program with the people who influence and make public policy. He also produces coverage of the state courts, the related series “In Session,” and the annual Pennsylvania Farm Show. Another of Larry’s on-going projects is “PA Film Flashbacks,” a series of short documentaries, news reels, and dramatizations from the silent era through the 1970′s.
A graduate of Penn State University, Larry came to PCN in 1993 from a background in broadcast news at WHP-TV Harrisburg. A life-long Pennsylvania resident, he was raised just down the street from PCN studios in Camp Hill.
