PBS12 Names Kristen Blessman as President & General Manager

Denver (September 20, 2021) – PBS12, the independent PBS station in Denver, Colorado, has announced its selection of Kristen Blessman as President & General Manager, effective October 18, 2021. Blessman currently heads the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, where she grew the Chamber’s revenue and membership to record highs while expanding community engagement to encompass a broad spectrum of Colorado businesses and community organizations.

“If there are any blessings to come out of the last 18 months, they include a renewed emphasis on the value of local communities, truthful storytelling, and balanced perspectives. As a long-time standard-bearer for such values, PBS12 has opened its doors to new viewers throughout the pandemic via thoughtful and informative on-air and digital offerings, while ensuring that the unique perspective first broadcast under the KBDI call sign continues its legacy of service to the diverse communities along the Front Range and beyond” said Micah Schwalb, Board chair.

“Kristen Blessman, like PBS12, is a dynamic and charismatic leader with a unique voice who fosters deep community engagement in Colorado. She is the right leader for the times, for this station, and for this team. I look forward to seeing where she will take PBS12 from here.”

Dessa Bokides, Chairperson of PBS12’s Search Committee stated, “We are excited to partner with Kristen to grow the PBS12 brand and reach. Her passionate support of inclusion in local communities will be a perfect fit with PBS12’s mission to be the “heartbeat” for local content in Colorado.”

“I couldn’t be more honored and excited to join the PBS12 team,” shared Kristen Blessman. “There is no more important time than now for public television to play a critical role in bringing our communities together. I’m so incredibly proud to be a part of it.”

The selection was made after a national search and selection process conducted by Montague & Associates.

Blessman succeeds PBS12’s former President & General Manager, Kim Johnson, who retired in early July to join her husband in his job transfer to Albuquerque, and PBS12 Vice Chair, Kim Carver, who stepped in as a board member to serve as Interim President & General Manager.