For immediate release
Chicago, IL - May 2, 2014
CHICAGO – April 30, 2014 – Window To The World Communications, Inc. (WWCI), parent company of WTTW11 and 98.7WFMT, announced today that its Board of Trustees has named James W. Mabie chairman of the Board, effective July 1, 2014. Mabie will succeed current chairman Norman R. Bobins, who has served ably in that capacity since 2008. Mabie will take the helm of WWCI’s existing 58-member Board as it advances WWCI’s strategic plan and ensures the long-term vitality of Chicago’s beloved cultural institutions WTTW and WFMT.
“We are delighted that Jim has agreed to head up our Board for the next term,” said Daniel J. Schmidt, President and CEO of WWCI. “His unique skills, valued experience, and longtime commitment to this organization make him the perfect choice to succeed Norm, who has done a wonderful job,” he added. Outgoing Chairman Bobins said, “Jim has made innumerable contributions over the years, not just to WWCI but to the arts community in this city, and as I hand over the reins to him, I feel confident that he will lead us into the future in great style.”
“I am honored to be asked to oversee one of the city’s most treasured cultural institutions during a very exciting time in its history,” said Chairman-elect Mabie. “As I look forward to this new chapter, I am grateful that I can count on the support of a very strong Board and dedicated staff,” he added.
James W. Mabie joined William Blair & Company as a partner in wealth management in 1983 after 13 years as a managing director with A.G. Becker & Company. Before Becker, he spent 13 years in the retail business with Marshall Field & Company and Beeline Fashions. In addition to his tenure on the board of WWCI, Jim is a trustee or director of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Lyric Opera of Chicago, WBEZ Public Radio (past chairman), Thresholds (past chairman), Hubbard Street Dance Chicago (past president), the Old Town School of Folk Music (past chairman), The Cara Program, the Albert Pick, Jr. Fund, and the Chicago Cook Workforce Investment Board and is founding chairman of The Chicago High School for the Arts [ChiArts], a Chicago Public School contract school. Jim had served on the Center for Development Economics Visiting Committee for Williams College. Jim has also served on the board of the Northfield Public School and as a trustee of the village of Northfield. Education: B.A., Williams College.
About WTTW11 and 98.7WFMT
WTTW11 is the Midwest’s premier public media organization, committed to creating and presenting unique and trusted television and digital media content. WTTW is dedicated to bringing Chicago and the world together to explore the arts, sciences, humanities and public affairs across four distinct television channels – WTTW11, WTTW Prime, the Spanish-language channel WTTW V-me and WTTW Create/WTTW WORLD, and on wttw.com, where visitors can connect with others in the community and access a full library of local and national video content for kids and adults, interactive features, event and membership opportunities and robust sites dedicated to WTTW series and specials. 98.7WFMT recently marked its 62nd anniversary on the air, providing the best and broadest selection of classical music and fine arts programming heard anywhere, and is accessible across America and globally via online streaming and other content at wfmt.com. The WFMT Radio Network is one of the world’s most active producers and syndicators of radio programs about classical music, jazz, folk and the arts in public life, sending programs to more than 400 radio stations throughout the United States and in more than 40 other countries. Both organizations are housed in the Renée Crown Public Media Center in the Albany Park neighborhood of Chicago.
